Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program 2027

Applications are open for the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program 2027, a new residential research opportunity hosted by the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. The program supports rigorous, policy relevant research focused on urban problem solving and city leadership, bringing researchers into a multidisciplinary academic and practitioner community at Harvard.

The program is designed for researchers whose work can contribute to both scholarship and real world challenges facing cities. Selected Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars will spend either one semester or a full academic year in residence at the Bloomberg Center for Cities, where they will receive protected time and support to advance a specific research project.

The inaugural program focuses on research that can strengthen the ability of cities and city leaders to deliver results for residents. Areas of particular interest include mayoral leadership and management, organizational capabilities for innovation, evidence based policy, the use of data and artificial intelligence in decision making, high performing teams and cross sector collaboration.

About the Opportunity

The Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program provides researchers with dedicated time, an academic community and practical connections to advance research on how cities solve problems and how city leaders can improve governance and public outcomes.

Scholars may undertake their residency for one semester or a full academic year. Their main responsibility is to advance the research project presented in their application. The program also expects scholars to participate in selected activities that connect their research with the broader Harvard community.

Each Visiting Scholar is expected to:

• Host one research seminar per semester focused on their ongoing work or related themes

• Convene a student study group connected to their research twice per month, with monthly office hours

• Organize one event, such as a talk or panel, open to the broader Harvard community

The program is particularly interested in research that examines the capabilities, strategies and approaches that enable cities and city leaders to solve problems, lead innovation and deliver results.

Opportunity Benefits

• One semester or full academic year residential research opportunity at Harvard University

• Housing near Harvard University

• Financial assistance to support sustained research time

• Potential support for course buyout or other arrangements that allow scholars to step away from regular academic responsibilities

• Engagement with Harvard faculty, students and practitioners

• Participation in the Bloomberg Center for Cities intellectual community

• Opportunities to share research through seminars and Harvard community events

• Student engagement through research related study groups

• Opportunity to develop connections within a global community focused on urban problem solving and city leadership

• Visa sponsorship may be available for selected scholars, subject to institutional policies and individual circumstances

Research Areas

The Bloomberg Center for Cities welcomes research from different disciplinary backgrounds that aligns with its mission. Areas of particular interest include:

• Mayoral leadership and management strategies

• Conditions that enable high performing staff and teams

• Organizational capabilities for innovation

• Evidence based policy solutions and the capacity required to deliver them

• Use of data and artificial intelligence to strengthen decision making

• Effective approaches to cross sector collaboration

• Urban problem solving and city leadership

• Strategies for improving government performance and results for residents

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must hold a doctoral degree, such as a PhD, or a comparable terminal research degree

• Applicants must currently hold a faculty or research appointment at a degree granting university or recognized research institution

• Researchers from a range of disciplinary backgrounds may apply

• Applicants may be at different career stages

• Research must align with the mission of the Bloomberg Center for Cities

• Applicants must propose a specific research project to pursue during their residency

• The proposed research should address an urban problem or city leadership challenge

• Applicants should demonstrate a clear research question and appropriate theoretical foundation

• The proposed project should include a well developed research design and methodological approach

• The research should have potential significance for both research and practice

Required Application Materials

Applicants should prepare a research proposal describing the project they intend to pursue during the residency. The proposal should clearly explain:

• The urban problem or city leadership challenge being addressed

• The research question or questions

• The theory or theories underpinning the research

• The research design

• The methodological approach

• The significance of the project to scholarship

• The significance of the project to urban practice

• The expected research outputs

• The potential impact of the research

Applicants may also be invited to participate in an interview with members of the selection committee.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated according to:

• Clarity and significance of the research problem

• Strength of the research design

• Potential contribution to scholarship

• Potential contribution to the practice of urban problem solving

• Alignment with the mission and thematic interests of the Bloomberg Center for Cities

Programme Timeline

• Application launch: September 16, 2026

• Application deadline: October 28, 2026

• Selection notification: February 2027

• Residency: One semester or one full academic year

The program is the inaugural Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars cohort and is intended to contribute to a lasting community of researchers whose work informs urban problem solving and city leadership.

How to Apply

1. Review the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program requirements and research priorities.
2. Identify a specific research project that addresses an important urban problem or city leadership challenge.
3. Develop a clear research proposal covering the research questions, theoretical foundation, methodology, significance, expected outputs and potential impact.
4. Ensure that you meet the doctoral degree and current faculty or research appointment requirements.
5. Complete the online Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program application.