Application Deadline: March 31, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2027/2028 Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program. The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program was established in 1979 by Harvard President Derek Bok to address the needs of South Africans denied access to advanced education under Apartheid. The program was a direct response to the strong movement by Harvard students and faculty during the transnational divestment campaigns of the 1970s. The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program continues to serve as a powerful bridge-builder and intellectual opportunity for talented South Africans, with the goal of providing a “transformational experience” at Harvard University during recipients’ fellowship year and beyond.

Harvard South Africa Fellowships are up to one year of study in one of the following Harvard schools: Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and a select Harvard Business School Executive Education programs: i) Program for Leadership Development (PLD), ii) General Management Program (GMP), iii) Advanced Management Program (AMP).

Participating schools provide tuition, while general administrative funds for program management, stipends, and airfare for the fellows are provided by the Office of the President and administered by the Center for African Studies. The recruitment and selection process for the HSAFP fellows take place annually, with interviews facilitated by the Center for African Studies’ Africa Office in Johannesburg.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must hold a bachelors degree or four-year equivalent.
• Applicants must be able to conduct spoken and written academic work of the highest standard in Harvard’s language of instruction (English).
• Applicants must be South African citizens (or permanent residents in South Africa); priority will be given to those currently working in Africa.
• Applicants must have at least five years of postgraduate work experience; priority will be given to those with a demonstrated commitment to the public good. 

Benefits

• The fellowship covers payment of all tuition costs for the entire duration of enrollment at Harvard, as well as round-trip airfare between the fellow’s city of residence and Boston.
• Fellows receive a monthly stipend to cover housing and other living expenses, with the exception of those enrolled in the Executive Education Programs, who are provided with full boarding at the Business School.
• A one-time payment is provided for transportation on arrival to campus. Housing is usually in university graduate dormitories.

How to Apply

• Access the application on or after January 31, 2026.
• Applicants should select ‘Apply’.
• On the Login screen, select ‘without Harvard Key’.
• If you are logging in for the first time, select ‘Create New Account’. After you create your account, return to the link above to access the application.
• You can return to the link above to access your application using the login and password you create. 

Application 

The application includes the following categories:  

• General Information 
• Contact Details 
• Education 
• Employment History 
• Upload of files: CV, transcripts, personal statement, and academic essay 
• Recommendation Letters 
• Attestation for use of Generative AI
• Consent & Electronic Signature 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program