Program practitioner affairs

School: Faculty of Arts and Sciences

Department/Area: Weatherhead Center for International Affairs

Position Description

The Weatherhead Scholars Program at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs invites applications for its 2026-2027 Practitioner Fellowship, a one-year, residential opportunity for accomplished professionals from across the globe who are working on international, comparative, transnational, or global issues.

Practitioner fellows join a multidisciplinary cohort-including postdoctoral researchers and visiting faculty-in residence at Harvard for the academic year. The program fosters a dynamic intellectual community through a weekly seminar, professional development workshops, and engagement with the broader Weatherhead Center and Harvard communities. Fellows are expected to be on campus from late August through mid-May and to participate actively in program activities.

About the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
The Weatherhead Center is Harvard's largest international research center, supporting rigorous scholarship on global, comparative, transnational, and international issues. Founded in 1958, the Center brings together faculty, fellows, and students from across the University to address pressing global challenges, including conflict and governance, inequality, environmental change, migration, and international development. It serves as an interdisciplinary hub for research, exchange, and public dialogue.

About the Weatherhead Scholars Program
The Weatherhead Scholars Program is a flagship initiative of the Center that brings together a intellectually diverse, international cohort of postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, and practitioner fellows for a year-long residency. Fellows pursue independent research while participating in a weekly seminar, professional development sessions, and collaborative programming across the Center. The program cultivates a vibrant intellectual community that bridges academia and practice, drawing scholars from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds-including government, journalism, diplomacy, civil society, and academia.

Basic Qualifications

Practitioner Fellows may come from a range of backgrounds, including diplomacy, journalism, private sector leadership, military, elected office, civil service, and civil society. We accept applicants from the United States and around the world who hold at least a bachelor's degree, can demonstrate a strong interest in international affairs, have a track record of professional impact, and show a clear interest in engaging with academic and policy communities. Applicants must propose a project aligned with the Weatherhead Center's mission and commit to active participation in the program.

Academic researchers affiliated with a think tank or research institute, as well as faculty who are not in tenured or tenure-track positions, are also welcome to apply but will be appointed with the title of Associate.

Special Instructions

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS February 15, 2026 . PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A LIST OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .

Administrative Fee
There is an administrative fee of $12,500 per semester ($25,000 for the academic year). In past years, this fee has been covered through personal financing, government support, or private funding from foundations and research centers.

Letters of Recommendation
The application will ask for the name and contact information of your references. Once your application is submitted, the system will automatically email your recommender with instructions for uploading their letter. The deadline for letters of recommendation is February 22, 2026. You may track the status of your letter through the application portal. We recommend submitting your application in advance of the deadline to ensure your recommender has sufficient time.

Contact Information

Walid Hammam
Director, Weatherhead Scholars Program
Weatherhead Center for International Affairs
Harvard University

Please see the Weatherhead Scholars Program website and Frequently Asked Questions before contacting.

Contact Email: [email protected]

Salary Range

There is no compensation for this fellowship

Minimum Number of References Required: 2

Maximum Number of References Allowed: 3

Keywords

Democracy and Governance, Migration and Refugees, Political Economy, International Development, Global Security, Public Policy, International Relations, International Affairs, Conflict Resolution, Environmental Policy, Sustainable Development, Humanitarian Aid, Diplomacy, Global Health, Transnational Issues, Social Justice, Economic Development, Global Governance, Cultural Diplomacy, Trade and Investment, International Law, Peacebuilding, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Human Rights, International Institutions, Foreign Policy, Civil Society, International Cooperation, War and Peace, Human Security.