2026-27 Mahindra Humanities Center Postdoctoral Fellowship

The Mahindra Humanities Center invites applications for several one-year postdoctoral fellowships on the topic of the environmental humanities, drawn from any humanistic discipline. We interpret the environmental humanities in the broadest terms, to include all parts of the world and historical eras. Topics may include (but are not limited to) humanistic approaches to climate change, biodiversity, social justice, environmental justice, food justice, regenerative practices, gardening, landscape, urban foraging, health, and animal studies.

We welcome applications from scholars in all fields whose work innovatively engages with the environment and the humanities. In addition to pursuing their own research projects, fellows will be core participants in the bi-weekly seminar meetings for both academic semesters of the fellowship. Other participants will include faculty and graduate students from Harvard and other universities in the region, and occasional visiting speakers. Fellows will also be encouraged to engage with the Center’s Environment Forum programming.

Fellows will receive stipends of $70,000, medical insurance, additional research support of $2,500, and (for those not already in residence in Greater Boston) $1,500 in moving expenses. Fellows are expected to be in residence at Harvard for the term of the fellowship.

Basic Qualifications

Applicants for 2026-27 fellowships must have received a doctorate on or after May 2023. Applicants without a doctorate must demonstrate that they have completed all requirements for the degree, including dissertation defense, by August 1, 2026. Scholars from outside the United States are appointed under either the J-1 visa (Research Scholar status) or F-1 OPT (Optional Practical Training), depending on their circumstances. If awarded a fellowship, the term of appointment for international scholars is September 1, 2026-August 31, 2027. The Mahindra Center reserves the right to cancel awards if the recipient is unable to meet these conditions of completion and visa status.

The application deadline for applicants to submit their materials is November 21, 2025. The deadline for receipt of letters of recommendation is December 5, 2025.

Special Instructions

In addition to biographical and professional information, applicants are asked to submit:

1.  A curriculum vitae.
2. A statement of the research project (1,000-3,000 words) that provides a detailed description of what the applicant proposes to do during the fellowship year.
3. One chapter- or article-length writing sample (no longer than 40 pages).

Names and contact information of three referees, who will be asked by a system-generated email to upload a letter of recommendation once the candidate’s application has been submitted. Three letters of recommendation are required, and the application is considered complete only when three letters have been received. Recommendations may be those included in the applicant’s placement dossier, but they must specifically address the proposed research project. Letters should be uploaded to the electronic application.

Please contact Lisa Brown, [email protected], with any questions about applying for a fellowship

Special Instructions Call Out: Our automated application management system will issue requests for recommendations only after you have completed and submitted your application. Please make every effort to submit your application in advance of the November 21, 2025 deadline to allow your referees as much time as possible to submit their letters. The deadline for receipt of letters of recommendation is December 5, 2025.