Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program for Egyptian Scholars at Harvard University 2021

The Center for African Studies at Harvard University is offering the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program that is aimed at providing opportunities for postdoctoral candidates to conduct independent research, publish, and increase knowledge in their fields of study that will be beneficial to the African continent and to prepare them to be successful in their chosen career paths. An applicant should have received their PhD (preference will be given to those who completed PhD in the past five years) and hold an academic appointment at a university or research institution in Africa. This includes those with a commitment to an appointment at the time of application. The fellowship will support the development of a research project at selected Harvard University schools, departments, or laboratories in the field of their choice.

Fellow's Responsibilities:

Under the terms of appointment, fellows will be required to assume the following responsibilities:

• Assume primary responsibility for the development of their research and career, in consult with their faculty mentors and other collaborators.
• Play an active role in seeking career and research advice, from the faculty mentors and other faculty members as appropriate.
• Submit a report describing all work carried out at Harvard University and home institution during the research period. The report must be submitted two weeks before the end of their fellowship.
• Make mention in any publication, presentation, or interview of their status as a CAS fellow as well as those published or carried out as a result of their fellowship.
• Notify CAS of any grant, scholarship, or funding obtained from any public or private organization for the same or a different research project.
• Fellows should ensure funds are utilized for purposes as defined in the fellowship. Any expenditure outside of the stipulated use will not be accepted.
• Fellows should notify CAS of any periods of travel or absence during their fellowship.
• Presentation of research at CAS fellow’s colloquium at the end of the fellowship.

The program offers 18-month postdoctoral fellowships with 12 months spent at the scholars’ home institution and six months spent in stipend-supported residency at Harvard University.

Harvard University will pay fellows a stipend during their residency. From this stipend, fellows are expected to pay for housing, health insurance, food, transportation, books and supplies, and other expenses. Payments will be made in fellows' name ONLY for the six months in residence in Cambridge.

• Eligible universities: Cairo University (Egypt)
• Applicants must have received a PhD or equivalent doctoral-level research degree (preference will be given to those who completed PhD in the past five years) in any discipline with strategic interest to the African continent and must hold a paid academic appointment at one of the eligible institutions.
• Applicants who have not yet formally received their degree must present evidence of having completed the academic requirements before commencing the Fellowship.
• Applicants must identify a Harvard faculty mentor to support research and scholarly work; additionally, they should identify a second mentor at their home institution.
• Both mentors are required to submit letters of recommendation during the application process.
• Applicants should have English language proficiency.
• Applicants must have support from their home institutions to pursue an 18-month fellowship appointment, six months of which will be spent in a stipend-supported residency in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout the fellowship period, fellows will have access to their mentor at both institutions as well as Harvard's library resources and seminar/conference opportunities.
• Applicants should have an academic appointment at one of the listed eligible universities or include a letter from the institution that such an appointment is forthcoming during the fellowship period.

Selection Criteria:

A faculty review committee under the direction of the CAS Oppenheimer Faculty Director will use the following criteria to identify final award recipients:

• Fellows with strong PhD achievement and actively conducting research and teaching in one of the listed institutions.
• Strength and quality of research proposal, project uniqueness, clear purpose, and detailed plan for the execution of the proposal.
• Applicants' ability to succeed in a research-based academic track.
• Demonstration of initiative, social consciousness, leadership, and a sense of responsibility as well as personal motivations and experiences.
• Contribute to and advance new knowledge to the field of study.
• Mentors' recommendation and commitment to fellows’ advancement in the area of research.

About Harvard University: 

Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with about 6,700 undergraduate students and about 15,250 post-graduate students. Established in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, clergyman John Harvard, Harvard is the United States' oldest institution of higher learning, and its history, influence, and wealth have made it one of the world's most prestigious universities.

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