Houghton Library Fellowship at Harvard University Inviting New Applications for 2026 Session

Are you a scholar, doctoral student, curator, or independent researcher seeking to explore one of the richest rare book and manuscript collections in the world? The Houghton Library at Harvard University has officially opened the application portal for its 2026–2027 Visiting Fellowship Program, welcoming global applicants to pursue groundbreaking research.

Whether you’re researching colonial-era Indigenous music, 18th-century theatre, early Black lives, or anything in between, this is your chance to dive deep into Houghton’s extraordinary archives.

What Is the Houghton Library Visiting Fellowship?

This competitive fellowship offers researchers the opportunity to:

• Conduct in-depth studies on Houghton Library’s holdings
• Collaborate with Harvard’s expert staff
• Immerse themselves in the intellectual and scholarly culture of Harvard University

Fellows are granted exclusive access to Harvard’s library ecosystem and can contribute to the university’s academic discourse through exhibitions, talks, and publications.

Fellowship Benefits

• Stipend: $4,500 per fellowship (four-week residency)
• Visa Support: J-1 visa sponsorship for international fellows
• Research Access: Use of Harvard’s libraries and archives
• Networking: Join a global cohort of scholars and participate in public programs

Who Can Apply?

The fellowship is open to:

• Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers
• Academics, curators, and library/archives/museum professionals
• Independent scholars from all disciplines
• Applicants of any nationality (J-1 visa required for non-U.S. residents)

Special encouragement is extended to:

• Women
• Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC)
• First-generation scholars
• Researchers with disabilities

Note: Scholars living within commuting distance of Harvard are generally ineligible.

Fields of Research

Thanks to 15 endowed fellowships, research topics may include:

• Performing Arts & Dance
• Publishing & Book History
• Black Diaspora Studies (1500–1800)
• American History & Theatre
• Graphic Arts, Music, and Manuscripts
• Gender & Sexuality in the Arts
• Theodore Roosevelt and Samuel Johnson Studies

Each fellow will be matched to the most appropriate fellowship based on their proposal.

Requirements for Selected Fellows

• On-site Residency: 4 weeks between July 2026 – June 2027
• Deliverables: Written report summarizing research at Houghton
• Travel & Accommodation: Self-arranged and self-funded
• Visa: J-1 visa and related costs are applicant’s responsibility
• Fellowship Gap Rule: 5-year gap between awards to repeat fellows.

Apply: https://library.harvard.edu/grants-fellowships/houghton-library-visiting-fellowships.

Application Timeline

The application portal for the 2026–2027 Houghton Library Visiting Fellowships is now open
 with the last date to apply is January 16, 2026.