Application Deadline: Sunday, March 23, at 11:59 PM EST
The Emirates Leadership Initiative Research Fellowship at the Middle East Initiative is inviting applications for junior and mid-career policy-oriented scholars, with a ten-month stipend, as well as access to Harvard’s libraries and other resources, to pursue an independent research project on a critical public policy area relevant to the UAE, the Gulf region, and the broader Arab world. Areas of particular interest include optimizing governance, increasing economic dynamism, strengthening human capital, and improving public policy design and delivery.
Fellows are required to be physically present at Harvard for the duration of the fellowship. All fellows are expected to advance the research project outlined in their application and to produce a deliverable, such as a working paper, policy brief, or journal article on the topic. Additional projects, including collaborations with other Harvard fellows and faculty, are encouraged. Fellows may be asked to contribute to the public life of the Middle East Initiative, such as by organizing or speaking in a public event.
Priority will be given to applicants whose research proposals center the four MEI research priorities, which reflect the most salient public policy challenges facing the Gulf and broader Middle East region:
- Optimizing Governance
- Increasing Economic Dynamism
- Strengthening Human Capital
- Improving Public Policy Design and Delivery
Eligibility
- Applications from policy analysts, public servants, and social scientists whose proposed research demonstrates a strong potential for constructive, real-world impact are welcome.
- Priority will be given to applicants whose research proposals center the four MEI research priorities, which reflect the most salient public policy challenges facing the Gulf and broader Middle East region
Application Details
- CV/ Resume: This should include all degrees earned and dates earned, as well as expected dates of completion for any degrees still in progress.
- Research proposal (3-5 pages): This should be a description of the project applicants intend to pursue when in residence with us.
- Unofficial transcript (for applicants who have not earned a PhD).
- Contact information for 3 recommenders: Please note that applicants are responsible for ensuring that your recommenders submit their recommendations on time. MEI ordinarily will not contact delinquent recommenders.
- Writing sample (fewer than 50 pages):
- Must include an abstract of 300 words or less
- Will preferably be single-authored
- Can be either published or unpublished
- Examples include: policy brief, journal article, book chapter, dissertation chapter, or white paper applicants have produced in their field
Recommendation letters are due by Thursday, March 27, at 11:59 PM EST. Decisions will be announced in May 2025.
