W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute Fellows Program 2026

The Du Bois Fellows / W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute Fellows Program is a funded research fellowship at Harvard University in the United States. It is offered by the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research and supports scholars and creative researchers working at relevant career stages. For the 2026 cycle, the application deadline is December 14, 2026.

This fellowship may be especially attractive for applicants seeking time, institutional access, and a Harvard research environment for a major scholarly or creative project. The program is international in scope, and candidates of all nationalities may apply if they meet the stated eligibility requirements.

What the fellowship pays for

The fellowship provides a stipend of US$70,000 to US$75,000 for the ten-month academic year. If a fellowship is awarded for one semester, the amount is adjusted accordingly.

In addition to the stipend, fellows receive office space, a Harvard email account, a Harvard ID, and access to university resources. Applicants should note one important limitation: health insurance is not provided. Because this is listed as partial funding, candidates should plan carefully for any personal costs not covered by the fellowship.

Who can apply

The W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute Fellows Program is open internationally to candidates of all nationalities. Applicants should be at a relevant career stage and should have accomplishments appropriate to that stage.

Non-native English speakers must show English proficiency. The stated options include TOEFL or IELTS scores, or Zoom conversations with Hutchins Center administrators.

Graduate-student eligibility is limited. Doctoral students may be considered only if they are enrolled at Harvard University. Graduate students from other universities are not eligible under the stated rules.

How to apply

Applications are submitted through SlideRoom. The official application information is available on the Hutchins Center website: W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute Fellows Program application page.

  1. Review the official requirements. Before starting, read the current instructions and confirm that your career stage, project, and student status fit the fellowship rules.
  2. Prepare your project description. This should clearly explain the work you plan to complete during the fellowship period and why the fellowship setting is appropriate.
  3. Update your CV. Make sure it reflects your scholarly, creative, or professional achievements in a clear and current format.
  4. Select a sample of work. Applicants must provide a sample of scholarly or creative work, so choose material that represents the strength and relevance of your project.
  5. Arrange three recommendation letters. Contact recommenders early and give them enough time to submit strong letters by the recommendation deadline.
  6. Submit through SlideRoom. Complete the online application and upload all required materials before the application deadline.

The official information states that there is no application fee.

Key dates

  • Application deadline: December 14, 2026.
  • Recommendation letter deadline: December 21, 2026.
  • Fellowship period: The stipend is described for the ten-month academic year, with adjusted funding for one-semester fellowships.

No separate deadline time or time zone is stated in the provided information, so applicants should avoid waiting until the final day.

Practical tips for applicants

  • Start the recommendation process early. Because recommendation letters have their own December 21 deadline, give each recommender your project description, CV, and any submission instructions well in advance.
  • Make the project description specific. A strong application should show what you will research or create, why it matters, and how the fellowship resources can support the work.
  • Budget beyond the stipend. Since health insurance is not provided, plan for insurance and any other costs that may not be covered by the fellowship package.

The Du Bois Fellows Program offers a substantial stipend and access to Harvard resources for eligible researchers, but applicants should check every detail on the official website before applying, including eligibility, required materials, deadlines, and any updated instructions.