Applications are open for the Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program 2027 - an inaugural research residency at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University for scholars advancing urban problem-solving, city leadership, innovation, and evidence-based governance.
Apply by 28 October 2026. Selected scholars are notified in February 2027. Residencies run for one semester or a full academic year in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
This Opportunity Station guide is original copy based on the official Bloomberg Center for Cities programme page. It is not a reprint of any third-party blog.
Quick Facts - Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars 2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program (inaugural year) |
| Host | Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University (Cambridge, USA) |
| Residency | One semester or one full academic year in residence |
| Support | Housing near Harvard + financial assistance (e.g. course buyout arrangements) |
| Visa | Center anticipates sponsoring visas subject to institutional policy |
| Who applies | Researchers with a Ph.D. (or comparable terminal research degree) and a current faculty/research appointment |
| Applications open | 16 September 2026 |
| Deadline | 28 October 2026 |
| Selection notice | February 2027 |
| Official page | Bloomberg Center for Cities - Visiting Scholars |
About the Programme
The programme supports rigorous, policy-relevant research on urban problem-solving and city leadership. Selected applicants are appointed as Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars and spend their residency advancing a specific research project while engaging the Center’s intellectual community. The Center aims to build a lasting collaborative community whose work informs the practice of city leadership.
Projects should strengthen cities’ and city leaders’ capacity to deliver results - with interest in areas such as mayoral leadership and management, high-performing teams, organizational innovation capabilities, evidence-based policy delivery, data and AI for decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration.
Benefits
- Protected research time in residence at Harvard’s Bloomberg Center for Cities
- Housing near Harvard University
- Financial assistance that may support course buyout or reduced home-institution duties during residency
- Opportunity to host a research seminar each semester, convene a student study group, and organize a community event
- Anticipated visa sponsorship for selected international scholars (subject to policy and circumstances)
- Appointment as a Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholar
Eligibility
- Hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or comparable terminal research degree)
- At application, hold a current faculty or research appointment at a degree-granting university or recognized research institution
- Research aligned with the Bloomberg Center for Cities mission (urban problem-solving and city leadership)
- Open to a range of disciplines and career stages
Research Proposal Requirements
Submit a proposal for the specific project you will pursue during residency. It should clearly articulate:
- The urban problem or city leadership challenge addressed
- Research question(s) and underlying theory/theories
- Research design and methodological approach
- Significance for scholarship and practice
- Envisioned outputs and potential impacts
Applicants may be invited to interview with the selection committee before formal appointment.
Selection Criteria
- Clarity and significance of the research problem
- Strength of the research design
- Potential contribution to scholarship and urban problem-solving practice
- Alignment with the Center’s mission and thematic interests
How to Apply
- Review the official programme page for full requirements and timeline.
- Prepare your research proposal covering the elements above.
- Submit via the official application form by 28 October 2026.
- Await selection notice in February 2027.
Official Links
Programme overview - Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars
Official application form (Airtable)
Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard
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FAQs - Bloomberg Harvard Visiting Scholars Program
When is the application deadline?
28 October 2026. Applications opened 16 September 2026; selection notices go out in February 2027.
How long is the residency?
Scholars may spend either one semester or one full academic year in residence at Harvard.
What support is provided?
Housing near Harvard plus financial assistance that may enable course buyout or similar arrangements so scholars can focus on research.
Who is eligible?
Researchers with a Ph.D. (or comparable terminal research degree) who currently hold a faculty or research appointment at a university or recognized research institution.
Where do I apply?
Through the official Bloomberg Center application form linked from the programme page.
