The Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University has opened applications for the 2027–2028 Du Bois Fellows Program, offering scholars an opportunity to undertake research in residence at Harvard.
The fellowship is part of the W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute, whose Fellows Program is the oldest of the Institute’s activities. Since its establishment in 1975, the programme has supported scholarly research and brought researchers working across the broad and interdisciplinary fields of African and African American Studies to Harvard.
For the 2027–2028 fellowship year, applications are now open, with the main application deadline set for December 14, 2026.
About the Du Bois Fellows Program
The Du Bois Fellows Program invites up to 20 scholars each year to participate in a residential fellowship at the Hutchins Center.
The programme reflects the interdisciplinary nature of African and African American Studies and supports research at both the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels.
Fellows are able to pursue their research while being part of the intellectual community at Harvard’s Hutchins Center for African & African American Research.
The programme is particularly relevant to scholars whose research engages with African, African American or related areas of study and who would benefit from a period of dedicated research within an interdisciplinary academic environment.
Fellowship Opportunity at Harvard University
The programme is hosted by the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research, part of Harvard University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
The Centre supports scholarship, research, publications, artistic work and intellectual exchange relating to Africa and African American experiences and scholarship.
The Du Bois Fellows Program forms part of this broader research environment and has a long history of supporting scholars at different stages of their academic careers.
Applicants should review the fellowship programme’s detailed eligibility and application information before applying to determine whether their academic background and research project meet the requirements for the 2027–2028 cohort.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship supports researchers at both the predoctoral and postdoctoral levels.
Because the programme is interdisciplinary, applicants from different academic and research backgrounds may be considered, provided their proposed research aligns with the scope of African and African American Studies and the objectives of the fellowship.
Prospective applicants should carefully review the official eligibility requirements and application instructions before preparing their submission.
Application Requirements
Applicants are required to submit their fellowship application through SlideRoom, Harvard’s designated online application platform for the programme.
There is no application fee.
Candidates should prepare their application materials according to the requirements specified by the Hutchins Center. Applicants should also ensure that recommendation letters are submitted by the separate recommendation deadline.
For the 2027–2028 fellowship cycle:
- Application deadline: December 14, 2026
- Recommendation letter deadline: December 21, 2026
- Application platform: SlideRoom
- Application fee: None
Applicants should allow sufficient time to create a SlideRoom account, prepare their research materials and ensure that recommendation letters are submitted before the applicable deadline.
How to Apply
Interested scholars should begin by reviewing the official Du Bois Fellows Program information and application requirements.
Applications are submitted online through the designated Harvard Hutchins Center SlideRoom application portal. Applicants who do not already have a SlideRoom account will be required to create one.
Candidates should carefully complete all sections of the application and upload the requested supporting materials before the December 14 deadline.
Recommendation letters have a later deadline of December 21, 2026, but applicants should contact their referees well in advance to ensure that the letters are submitted on time.
Important Deadline
The main application deadline for the 2027–2028 Du Bois Fellows Program is December 14, 2026.
Letters of recommendation must be submitted by December 21, 2026.
Applicants should not wait until the final day to submit their applications, particularly because the process involves preparing research materials and coordinating recommendation letters.
Separate Black Film Project Fellowship
The Hutchins Center also operates the Black Film Project, but applicants should note that applications for the Black Film Project Fellowship are submitted separately.
The Black Film Project has its own application process through Submittable, meaning candidates interested in that fellowship should follow the specific instructions provided by the Hutchins Center.
Why the Fellowship May Interest Researchers
The Du Bois Fellows Program provides an opportunity for scholars to spend time within an academic research environment at Harvard while advancing their research.
Its interdisciplinary orientation may be particularly relevant to researchers whose work intersects with African and African American Studies across fields such as history, literature, culture, politics, sociology, arts and related areas.
The programme’s long-running history, dating back to the founding of the W. E. B. Du Bois Research Institute in 1975, also places it within the Hutchins Center’s broader commitment to scholarship on Africa and African American experiences.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official Harvard Hutchins Center application system and carefully review the programme’s current requirements before applying.
Application Deadline: December 14, 2026
Recommendation Letters Deadline: December 21, 2026
There is no application fee for the Du Bois Fellows application.
