Harvard University offers a prestigious opportunity for individuals pursuing the study of forested ecosystems through its Bullard Fellowship program. The primary goal of the Bullard Fellowship program is to enhance research activities at Harvard Forest and establish long-term collaborations with other Harvard departments. These fellowships are intended for individuals with a proven record of independent scholarship and professional achievement, rather than post-doctoral fellows.
Fellowship Details
- Duration: Fellowships are either 2-3 months (Short-Term) or 6-12 months (Long-Term).
- Stipend: $6,250 per month (up to $75,000 per year). The amount of each award depends on the duration of the Fellowship
- Eligibility: Not for graduate students or recent postdoctoral candidates.
- Residency: Fellows are expected to be present at Harvard Forest or their host lab at least three days per week and attend community events such as Harvard Forest Lab Meetings on Wednesdays.
Research and Program Affiliations
Bullard Fellows engage in research areas including forest ecology, tree physiology, soil biogeochemistry, forest resource management, conservation, land use planning, and public policy. Occasionally, fellowships are awarded in the arts and environmental humanities if there is a strong connection to Harvard Forest research. Fellows can collaborate with various Harvard institutions, such as:
- Harvard Forest, Petersham
- Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain
- Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
- Harvard Business School
- Harvard Graduate School of Design
- Harvard Kennedy School of Government
- Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE)
- or a combination of these research institutions
Application Process
Applications for the 2025-2026 fellowships close on October 1, 2024. Interested individuals should prepare:
- Application Form: Complete the web-based form.
- References: Contact information for three references who can evaluate the applicant’s proposed program and qualifications. Recommenders should submit their recommendation letters for the 2025-2026 program via the secure online application system by October 15, 2024 (a 2-week grace period post deadline).
- Research Statement: A description of the applicant’s professional career, proposed research at Harvard, and its potential contribution to their career (5-page single spaced maximum).
- CV: A detailed CV (5-page maximum) including:
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- Colleges and universities: dates of attendance and degrees received
- Professional positions held since graduating college
- Academic prizes and honors, if any
- Significant books, articles, reports, etc.
- Significant education and outreach activities (NSF calls these “synergistic activities”)
- Artists should provide a link to an online portfolio of their work.
- Host (optional): All Bullard Fellows are required to have a host, who is a Harvard PI who will meet with the Fellows regularly throughout their stay. Applicants may identify a host as part of their application, but are not required to. If no host is identified, the Review Panel will assign a host.
Successful candidates will be notified by December 15, 2024. For additional information: e-mail hfapps@fas.harvard.edu.
Additional Information
Fellowship Location
The Bullard Fellowship is a residential program, and Fellows are expected to spend a substantial portion of their Fellowship based at either Harvard Forest in Petersham, Massachusetts, or at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Harvard Forest, Petersham: Fellows based here will have access to research resources including weekly seminars and lab groups (September – April), library, archives, office space, and local telephone service. Housing is available on-site, with furnished units ranging from $1,250 to $1,900 per month for 1 to 5 bedroom units. As there is no local public transportation, Fellows must have their own vehicle for transportation.
- Harvard University, Cambridge: Fellows based in Cambridge need to make arrangements with their proposed collaborators for access to office and/or lab space. Housing costs in Cambridge range from $1,500 to $3,000 per month, depending on the size and location of the unit.
Reimbursement
All Bullard Fellows will receive a travel fellowship equivalent to the cost of one round trip between their Fellowship site location and their home base. The fellowship will reflect either the actual airfare or mileage (at a rate determined by the IRS) between the two, whichever is lower. Fellows are responsible for the travel costs of any people accompanying them.
Taxes
Bullard Fellows are not considered employees of the University and receive no fringe benefits.
- U.S. Citizens: Taxes are not withheld by Harvard University. Fellows are expected to make their own arrangements to pay income taxes via quarterly payments to the IRS.
- International Fellows: Harvard University will withhold an income tax of up to 14% of their stipends unless there is a tax treaty between their home country and the U.S. that reduces or waives this requirement. International Fellows should consult the Harvard Office of the Controller for more information.
Health Insurance
Massachusetts state law requires all residents to have health insurance. Therefore, Bullard Fellows without insurance may need to purchase health insurance through:
- Massachusetts Health Connector: This marketplace offers plans ranging from $300 to $500 per month for a single person and $1,000 to $3,000 per month for a family of four.
- Insurance Plans outside of Harvard: Suggested policies are suitable for international scholars and U.S. citizens but may be less comprehensive than those offered through the Massachusetts Health Connector.
All information regarding insurance is provided to assist Bullard applicants with planning and budgeting, but the availability of insurance, its suitability, and cost may vary depending on individual circumstances. All insurance costs are the Bullard Fellow’s responsibility.
International Fellows
- International researchers have additional considerations when applying for a Bullard Fellowship, such as the visa process, logistics, and financial implications.
- All potential international Bullards should consult the Harvard International Office web site (www.hio.harvard.edu), which includes information about visa policies, taxes and health insurance, as well as other helpful topics.
- Costs specific to international scholars vary with the length of the fellowship and include:
- Visa costs (up to $1,500 per person)
- Up to 14% income taxes
- Health insurance costs:
- $300 to $500 per month for a single person
- $1,000 to $3,000 per month for a family of four based in Petersham
- Travel costs to the United States for their families
Commitment to Diversity
Harvard Forest is dedicated to maintaining a diverse and inclusive community. The fellowship program encourages applications from historically underrepresented groups in the sciences, including Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ community members.
For more information, visit the Bullard Fellowship website | Current Fellows | Past Fellowship Recipients
