Applications are now open for the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program 2026, a new initiative of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University supporting researchers working on important urban challenges and city leadership.
The program gives selected scholars the opportunity to spend one semester or a full academic year in residence at Harvard University, with dedicated time to advance a specific research project.
Researchers from different academic and disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply, provided their proposed research aligns with the mission of the Bloomberg Center for Cities.
Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program 2026 — Quick Details
- Host institution: Harvard University
- Host center: Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University
- Program: Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program
- Study location: United States
- Duration: One semester or one academic year
- Funding: Financial support, housing and research support
- Eligible countries: All countries
- Academic background: Open to researchers from different disciplines
- Application deadline: October 28, 2026
- Selected applicants notified: February
About the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program
The Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program is being introduced to build a community of researchers whose work can contribute to better urban problem-solving and city leadership.
Selected scholars will become part of the intellectual community at the Bloomberg Center for Cities while focusing primarily on the research project submitted as part of their application.
The program is designed to give researchers protected time to develop their work while also creating opportunities for interaction with Harvard faculty, students and other members of the university community.
The goal is to connect academic research with practical approaches that can help cities and their leaders improve outcomes for residents.
Areas of Research
The Bloomberg Center for Cities is particularly interested in research related to urban governance, city management and public-sector performance.
Potential areas include:
- Mayoral leadership and management
- Strategies for building high-performing teams
- Organizational capacity for innovation
- Evidence-based policymaking
- Implementation of public policies
- Data and artificial intelligence for decision-making
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Urban problem-solving
- City leadership
- Improving the ability of cities to deliver better results for residents
Applicants can come from different academic disciplines as long as their proposed research connects clearly with the Center’s mission and areas of interest.
What Will Visiting Scholars Do?
Research will be the main focus of the residency.
However, selected scholars will also participate in activities designed to encourage knowledge sharing and collaboration within the Harvard community.
These activities include:
- Hosting one research seminar each semester
- Convening a student study group related to their research twice each month
- Holding monthly office hours
- Organizing one event, such as a talk or panel, for the wider Harvard community
The program is not designed to make visiting scholars full-time instructors. Instead, these activities provide opportunities for researchers to share their work and engage with students, academics and practitioners.
Research Proposal Requirements
Applicants should submit a clear research proposal explaining the project they intend to pursue during their residency.
The proposal should address:
- The urban problem or city leadership challenge being examined
- The main research questions
- The theory or theories supporting the research
- The proposed research design and methodology
- The importance of the research to academic scholarship
- The potential practical value of the project
- Expected research outputs and potential impact
Some applicants may be invited to an interview with members of the selection committee before final decisions are made.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be considered based on several factors, including:
- Clarity and importance of the research problem
- Quality of the proposed research design
- Potential contribution to academic research
- Potential contribution to practical urban problem-solving
- Alignment with the Bloomberg Center for Cities’ mission and research interests
Program Benefits
Selected Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars will receive support designed to allow them to concentrate on their research during their time at Harvard.
The program provides:
- Housing: Selected scholars will receive housing near Harvard University during their residency.
- Financial Support: Financial assistance will be provided to support sustained research during the residency.
- Research Time: Scholars receive protected time to focus on the research project presented in their application.
- Academic Community: Scholars will have opportunities to interact with the Bloomberg Center for Cities and the wider Harvard University community.
- Support for Academic Responsibilities: Depending on individual circumstances, support may be available to facilitate course buyout or other arrangements that allow scholars to temporarily step away from regular academic responsibilities.
- Visa Support: Potential visa sponsorship may be available, subject to Harvard’s institutional policies and the circumstances of the individual scholar.
Eligibility Criteria
The program welcomes researchers whose proposed work aligns with the mission of the Bloomberg Center for Cities.
Applicants:
- Can come from different academic and professional disciplines
- Can be at different stages of their careers
- Are not required to meet a specific academic-rank requirement
- Should have a clear research agenda
- Must propose a specific research project that can be developed during their time at Harvard
Eligible Countries
Applicants from all countries are eligible to apply, subject to the program’s requirements.
Program Duration
Successful applicants can choose between:
- One semester, or
- One full academic year
The residency will take place at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program 2026 is:
October 28, 2026
Selected applicants are expected to be notified in February.
How to Apply
Interested researchers should review the complete eligibility requirements, application instructions and research expectations before submitting an application.
Applications and additional information are available through the official Bloomberg Center for Cities website.
VISIT OFFICIAL SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITE
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