Harvard Belfer Center 2020 Middle East Initiative (MEI) Research Fellowships

Published: 26 Dec 2019 1,558 views

The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs offers research fellowships during the academic year to individuals who wish to devote their time to research and writing in the fields of science and international affairs.

The Middle East Initiative (MEI) engages public policy issues in the Middle East by convening academic and policy experts, collaborating with regional partners, and developing the next generation of leaders.

Fellows are expected to be physically present at Harvard for the duration of the two-semester fellowship. Pre-doctoral research fellows are encouraged to work on, and ideally complete, their doctoral dissertations. Postdoctoral or faculty fellows may use this fellowship to complete a book or develop other works-in-progress.

Priority will be given to applications pursuing one of these four primary areas of focus:

1. Democratizing Politics: Establishing durable, accountable democracies not only by focusing on political institutions, but also by empowering the region’s citizens.
2. Building Peace: Addressing the sources of domestic and interstate conflict and generating durable political settlements.
3. Revitalizing the State: Reforming the Middle East’s social service delivery systems with a special emphasis on health, education and social protection.
4. Democratizing Financial and Labor Markets: Working to ensure that the financial and labor markets in the Middle East benefit the entire population, not merely the elite.

Harvard Belfer Center Middle East Initiative Fellowship

Application Deadline	January 15, 2020
Funding Type	Fully Funded
Country to study	United States
School to study	Harvard Kennedy School
Type	Fellowship
Sponsor	Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Gender	Men and Women

Benefits of Harvard Belfer Center Middle East Initiative Fellowship

1. The Middle East Initiative offers ten-month stipends of $40,000 to pre-doctoral fellows and $58,000 to postdoctoral fellows. Pre-doctoral fellows are not benefits eligible. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding. All applicants should clearly indicate on their application form whether they are seeking full or partial funding, and indicate other potential funding sources. Non-stipendiary appointments are also offered, but the application process remains the same.
2. Fellows who expect to complete their Ph.D. program prior to the fellowship can apply for a postdoctoral appointment. Confirmation of Ph.D. completion is required to receive the postdoctoral stipend rate and benefits. The fellow will be paid at the pre-doctoral rate and will not be benefits eligible until the Middle East Initiative receives confirmation of Ph.D. completion.

Requirements for Harvard Belfer Center Middle East Initiative Fellowship

1. Eligible candidates include advanced doctoral candidates, recent recipients of a Ph.D. or equivalent degree, and untenured faculty members.
2. Applicants for pre-doctoral fellowships must have passed general examinations and should be in or near the final year of their program.
3. Applications are welcome from political scientists, historians, economists, sociologists, and other social scientists.
4. Women are most encouraged to apply; minorities, and citizens of all countries.

Priority will be given to applications pursuing one of these six primary areas of focus:

1. Improving Governance: Promoting the inclusivity, accountability, responsiveness, and efficiency of governing institutions and empowering the region's citizens.
2. Building Peace: Addressing the sources of domestic and interstate conflict and generating durable political settlements.
3. Revitalizing the State: Improving the capacity of state institutions and reforming social service delivery systems, with a special emphasis on health, education, and social protection.
4. Broadening Financial and Labor Markets: Working to ensure that financial and labor markets in the Middle East are open, competitive, and inclusive.
5. Governing Technology: Assessing how governments in the Middle East adapt to and integrate technological changes such as the growth of cyberspace, automation, and artificial intelligence, as well as how these advances in technology have shaped governance.
6. Adapting to Environmental Challenges: Exploring how the governments of the region can cope and are coping with the challenges of water scarcity and climate change.

Fellows are generally expected to:

1. Complete a 25-30 page Working Paper to be published by the Middle East Initiative
2. Present their research at seminars open to the public
3. Attend seminars of other Middle East Initiative research fellows
4. Participate in Middle East Initiative activities as appropriate

Selection Process

Recommendations will be due on February 3, 2020. Decisions will be announced by March 30, 2020.

Application Deadline

January 15, 2020

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs on www.belfercenter.org to apply