Loeb Fellowship 2027 to 2028 at Harvard Graduate School of Design

Applications are now open for the Loeb Fellowship 2027 to 2028 at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. The fellowship is designed for experienced practitioners who are working to improve the built and natural environment and create positive social impact in communities around the world.

The Loeb Fellowship brings accomplished professionals to Harvard for an academic year of learning, reflection, collaboration and professional renewal. Fellows step away from their regular professional responsibilities to broaden their knowledge, strengthen their practice, explore new ideas and develop the next stage of their careers.

The programme welcomes professionals from a wide range of fields, including architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, public art, journalism, policy, community development, real estate development and civic leadership. International applicants are encouraged to apply, making this a global opportunity for experienced professionals seeking to expand their impact.

About the Fellowship

The Loeb Fellowship is based at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and provides mid career professionals with a year of intensive learning and engagement at Harvard University. Fellows become part of a global network of more than 450 alumni who are working across different sectors and regions to improve communities and the places where people live and work.

During the fellowship year, participants audit courses at the Graduate School of Design and throughout Harvard and MIT. They also engage with faculty and students, participate in Fellowship events, attend weekly forums and dinners, and collaborate with other Fellows.

Each Fellow develops an individual work plan with programme staff based on their professional goals. Fellows are expected to remain in the Cambridge area while classes are in session, participate in Fellowship activities, audit at least one GSD course per semester and step away from significant professional responsibilities during the fellowship year.

The programme is specifically designed for practitioners rather than students seeking an academic qualification. There is no formal higher education degree requirement for admission.

Fellowship Benefits

• Annual stipend of $57,500, considered taxable income

• Tuition free auditing of regular classes at Harvard and MIT

• Modest housing support in Cambridge

• Travel grant covering approximately one economy class round trip home per semester

• Access to Harvard and MIT academic resources and libraries

• Participation in lectures, seminars, conferences, exhibitions and other academic activities

• Professional development and time for reflection and renewal

• Collaboration with Harvard faculty, students and other Fellows

• Membership in a global network of more than 450 Loeb alumni

• Opportunities to participate in student reviews, workshops, exhibitions, symposia and other activities at the Graduate School of Design

The stipend is taxable, and the programme does not cover health insurance or childcare costs. Housing is provided through modest accommodation options where possible, including options suitable for Fellows who bring their families.

Eligible Professional Areas

The Loeb Fellowship is open to practitioners whose work contributes to improving the built and natural environment. Relevant areas include:

• Urban design

• Architecture

• Landscape architecture

• Urban planning

• Public art

• Journalism

• Civic leadership

• Policy

• Community development

• Real estate development

• Social entrepreneurship

• Other professional fields connected to the built and natural environment

The Fellowship uses a broad definition of eligible practice and has welcomed professionals from diverse backgrounds, including documentary filmmakers, theatre directors and other practitioners whose work has significant social impact.

Eligibility Criteria

• Be a mid career professional with a minimum of 8 years of experience in the field

• Demonstrate exceptional skill and accomplishment in professional practice

• Have a strong commitment to improving the built or natural environment

• Demonstrate leadership ability and potential for greater impact

• Show a strong drive to support and help others succeed

• Be willing to step away from significant professional responsibilities during the Fellowship year

• Be able to reside in the Cambridge area while classes are in session

• International applicants are eligible and encouraged to apply

• A university degree is not required

• Students are not eligible because the Fellowship is designed for established practitioners

• Applicants should demonstrate meaningful professional practice rather than primarily academic work

Required Application Materials

• Completed online application

• Professional resume showing dates of work history

• Three letters of recommendation

• Portfolio or supplemental materials, which are optional but highly recommended

• Up to five documents that demonstrate the quality and impact of your work, such as articles, books, videos, lectures or visual materials

Applicants who have completed degrees may include their educational information in the resume, but academic transcripts are not required. The Fellowship does not impose an application fee.

Letters of recommendation should come from professional colleagues, clients, collaborators or other people who know the applicant and can speak meaningfully about their work. Recommendations are due seven days after the main application deadline, on January 12, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed by a Selection Committee consisting of Harvard Graduate School of Design faculty members, Loeb alumni, outside practitioners and the programme curator.

The selection process considers the applicant’s professional accomplishments, leadership potential, commitment to positive social impact, ability to contribute to the Fellowship community and potential to use the Fellowship experience to strengthen future work.

Approximately 20 applicants are shortlisted by the end of February. Shortlisted applicants are notified by mid March and may participate in up to three interviews. The final selection of up to 10 Fellows is made in April, with successful applicants notified by the end of April.

Fellowship Year

The Fellowship year begins with Fellows arriving in Cambridge in mid August, before the start of classes. An orientation period normally takes place before classes begin.

The programme officially ends after Harvard commencement. Fellows generally remain in Cambridge through the academic year, with housing required to be vacated by June 30 at the latest.

Throughout the year, Fellows create individual schedules based on their goals while participating in required Fellowship activities. They attend weekly seminars and dinners, engage with students and faculty, participate in study tours and retreats, and make use of the wider resources available through Harvard and MIT.

How to Apply

1. Review the official Loeb Fellowship information and eligibility requirements.
2. Prepare a professional resume that clearly presents your work history and accomplishments.
3. Identify three professional associates who can provide substantive letters of recommendation.
4. Prepare optional supplemental materials that demonstrate the quality, impact and relevance of your professional work.
5. Register through the online SlideRoom application system.
6. Complete all required application questions and upload the required materials.
7. Submit your application by January 5, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
8. Remind your recommenders to submit their letters by January 12, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
9. If shortlisted, prepare for the interview stage and demonstrate how the Fellowship can strengthen your professional practice and future impact.

There is no application fee. The Loeb Fellowship encourages applicants to present a clear picture of their professional achievements, leadership capacity, commitment to positive change and goals for the Fellowship year.