Kuwait Program Visiting Scholar Fellowship 2027 to 2028

The Kuwait Program Visiting Scholar Fellowship 2027 to 2028 is an opportunity for senior policy oriented scholars and faculty from Kuwait to undertake advanced research and academic engagement at Harvard Kennedy School in the United States. The fellowship is hosted by the Kuwait Program at the Middle East Initiative within the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.

The fellowship brings accomplished scholars to Harvard for either one semester or one academic year, depending on their availability and proposed period of residence. During the fellowship, participants can lead an advanced study group for Harvard students or conduct an independent research project related to their area of expertise.

Selected Visiting Scholars receive a monthly stipend of $10,000, travel support, and access to Harvard libraries and other academic resources. The programme is designed to promote evidence based and rigorous research addressing important policy challenges affecting Kuwait, the Gulf region and the wider world.

About the Fellowship

The Kuwait Program Visiting Scholar Fellowship is intended for senior scholars and faculty whose work has strong policy relevance to Kuwait and the Gulf region. Fellows are expected to spend a period in residence at Harvard Kennedy School and contribute to the academic environment through teaching, research or both.

Applicants may choose between two main fellowship activities.

Lead a Study Group: Fellows may design and lead an advanced academic seminar for Harvard students. Study groups generally consist of four to seven sessions and explore a topic selected by the Visiting Scholar. The sessions should provide meaningful academic value for participating Harvard students, and the proceedings may later be developed into a Kuwait Program report.

Conduct a Research Project: Fellows may undertake an independent research project related to their expertise. Collaboration with a Harvard faculty member is encouraged. The research should lead to a significant scholarly output such as a book, edited volume, research paper or peer reviewed open access journal article.

The Kuwait Program is supported by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.

Fellowship Benefits

• $10,000 monthly stipend

• Travel support

• Access to Harvard libraries

• Access to Harvard academic resources

• Opportunity to collaborate with Harvard faculty

• Opportunity to lead an academic study group

• Opportunity to conduct independent policy research

• Potential publication through the Kuwait Program at Harvard Kennedy School

• Opportunity to develop a peer reviewed scholarly publication

• Academic engagement with students, scholars and policy experts

Priority Research Areas

Applicants whose proposed work addresses one or more of the following areas will receive priority consideration:

• Health

• Education

• Energy

• Environment

• Water security

• Food security

• Digital transformation

• Artificial intelligence

• Other critical public policy issues relevant to Kuwait and the Gulf region

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be senior policy oriented scholars or faculty members.

• Applicants must be from Kuwait.

• Applicants may currently reside and work in Kuwait.

• Applicants may also qualify through formal affiliation with a Kuwait based academic or research institution.

• Applicants should have an accomplished academic or professional record relevant to their proposed work.

• Proposed research or study groups should address a critical public policy issue relevant to Kuwait or the Gulf region.

• Applicants should be available to undertake the fellowship in residence at Harvard Kennedy School.

• Applicants proposing research may identify Harvard faculty members with whom they would like to collaborate.

Required Application Materials

• CV or resume including all degrees earned, dates of completion and expected completion dates for degrees still in progress

• Study Group or Research Project Proposal of 3 to 5 pages

• Contact information for three recommenders

• Writing sample of fewer than 50 pages

• Writing sample abstract of no more than 300 words

• English language writing sample

The writing sample may be published or unpublished and should preferably be single authored. Examples include a policy brief, journal article, book chapter, dissertation chapter or white paper. The writing sample must be produced without the use of generative artificial intelligence.

Study Group Proposal

Applicants proposing a study group should include:

• Title and description of the proposed topic

• Background and context of the topic

• Key areas of relevance to Harvard Kennedy School students

• Proposed subtopics for each session

• Proposed total number of sessions, with four to seven sessions suggested

• Suggested reading assignments for each session

Research Project Proposal

Applicants proposing an independent research project should include:

• Key research questions

• Policy challenges or knowledge gaps the project will address

• Proposed research timeline

• Stages for completing and publishing the research

• Names of Harvard faculty members who could potentially collaborate on the project

• Explanation of how the proposed faculty members' work relates to the research

• Information about any other potential funding sources being pursued

Selection Considerations

The fellowship is designed to attract accomplished senior scholars whose work can contribute meaningfully to policy research concerning Kuwait and the Gulf region. Strong applications should demonstrate a clear and well developed research or study group proposal, strong scholarly expertise and a meaningful connection between the proposed work and important policy challenges.

Proposals addressing the fellowship's priority areas are particularly encouraged. Applicants undertaking research should also demonstrate a credible pathway toward a significant scholarly output.

How to Apply

1. Review the official Kuwait Program Visiting Scholar Fellowship requirements and confirm your eligibility.
2. Decide whether you will propose a Harvard study group or an independent research project.
3. Prepare your CV or resume with complete academic information.
4. Develop a detailed 3 to 5 page Study Group or Research Project Proposal.
5. Prepare an appropriate English language writing sample of fewer than 50 pages, including an abstract of no more than 300 words.
6. Provide contact information for three recommenders and ensure that they are able to submit their recommendations by the required deadline.
7. Identify potential Harvard faculty collaborators if you are proposing a research project.
8. Review your application carefully and submit it through the Harvard Kennedy School application portal by December 1, 2026.