The Racial Justice Program focuses on reimagining systems, institutions, and movements to promote racial and economic equity for all.
The program strengthens discourse connecting domestic civil rights to global human rights frameworks, and brings together faculty, fellows, students, and the broader University community to collaborate.
We seek to attract a diverse group of fellows from different disciplines and sectors (academia, business, technology, civil society, human rights organizations, public interest technologists, and independent researchers and practitioners) who would like to design and develop a research project salient to their own expertise and the research priorities of the Center.
Fellows are encouraged to collaborate with each other and must participate in periodic Zoom calls with Carr Center faculty and other experts. Papers prepared by fellows will be published and promoted by the Carr Center, and projects of a more practical or applied nature will be presented to a cross-section of experts who will give feedback and ideas for strengthening.
Applications have closed for the Racial Justice Fellowship 2024-2025 cohort. Please check back in Spring 2025 to apply for the 2025-2026 cohort.
Eligibility
Fellows can be post-docs, scholars, academics on sabbatical, human rights defenders, senior leaders in international organizations, or heads of human rights organizations. Fellow projects must align closely with the research and programming priorities of the Center.
We welcome both emerging and established scholars and practitioners whose research and practice are aligned with the Center’s priorities. Fellows can focus on research and writing, auditing classes, meeting faculty and other experts, leading study groups for students, and participating in other learning opportunities at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Funding
Racial Justice Fellows receive a fellowship stipend of $10,000 for the academic year. The fellowship is otherwise unfunded.
Fellowships are primarily non-residential; limited shared office space may be available for fellows wishing to be in residence, but this is not guaranteed. Occasional access to shared office space may also be available for those who are visiting the Cambridge/Boston area.
Fellows are expected to come to Cambridge, MA, for an in-person convening to learn from each other, share their work in progress with the Carr Center and the broader Kennedy School community, and participate as appropriate in presentations, trainings, or workshops. Limited travel subsidies may be available for those who require assistance.
Fellowship applications will require:
- Resume/CV
- Research proposal (including how it fits with the Carr Center's research and programmatic priorities and specific faculty) and your qualifications (up to 3 pages)
- Executive summary of proposal (up to 200 words)
- Two references from individuals who can comment on your ability to complete the proposed research (Please ask your references to submit these directly by the deadline to carr_center@hks.harvard.edu with the subject line "Carr Center Fellowship Application [First Name, Last Name]"
- Relevant writing sample (up to 10 pages)
- A list of prior publications or comparable professional deliverables (with links or up to 3 attachments)