Deadline April 30th, 2020, at 11:59 pm (EMT)
A cornerstone of the RCC mission at Harvard is the attraction and support to young talent. Due to the traditional structure of academic careers, Junior Scholars who have just received their doctorate usually find it more difficult to gain access to the most prestigious universities, either for reasons related to curriculum development or lack of funding. Along with this, another problem common to the Junior Scholars is the possibility of making internationalization compatible with the academic career in the universities of their preference. This call aims to tackle the above mentioned activities.
Within the scope of its mission RCC provides grant funding for Postdoctoral Research Fellows with extraordinary academic record under the framework of the Distinguished Junior Scholars program. This program is directed to candidates who have recently received their PhD with honors to support the development of a research project at any of the Departments, Centers or Schools at Harvard University in the fields of sciences, humanities, law, medicine, public health, political science, economy, sociology, education, engineering, architecture, or any other field of study available at Harvard University.
SCOPE
This call offers two-year postdoctoral fellowships of 24 months for scholars who have recently earned their PhD (having enjoyed a FPU scholarship or equivalent), with honors (or the highest equivalent academic distinction), from any of the RCC Member Universities participating in this program, and in the above mentioned fields of knowledge.
COVERAGE
Fellows receive a maximum amount of $30,000 per academic year, during two consecutive academic years upon successful completion and evaluation of the first academic year, up to a maximum of $60,000. This award will be compatible with any other public or private financial aid, funding and income from any source and for the same purpose.
REQUIREMENTS
- Candidates must have completed their PhD (having enjoyed an FPU scholarship or equivalent) at any of the RCC Member Universities between May 1, 2019 and April 30, 2020 and graduated with honors (or the highest equivalent academic distinction), within the above-mentioned PhD excellence programs.
- Provide an Admission Letter from the Harvard University department, center or school stating that they are supporting the applicant’s research project, as well as sponsoring their J-1 Visa during the entire two-year period. The Admission Letter must be signed by a Tenure or Tenure-Track Faculty member that is willing to serve as the supervisor for the applicant. If the supervisor has a Tenure-Track Faculty appointment, the term of the appointment must be enough to cover the two years of the Postdoctoral Fellowship.
- Provide a valid TOEFL iBT with a minimum score of 100 points. To be considered valid, TOEFL iBT scores must be sent directly from ETS to the RCC. Without this document the Research Grant cannot be awarded, as it is a necessary requirement. Expired TOEFL certificates, and any other English proficiency tests, will not be accepted. Candidates must submit proof that they have taken the test on or before the stated deadline for applications, when completing their online application form.
- Submit their application and annexes online through the RCC’s website (rcc.harvard.edu).
- Applicants must submit the online application and all required admission materials no later than the stated deadline to be considered for admission. Only applications which fulfill all of the requirements of the call in due time will be taken into account. Those who do not comply with the procedures and deadlines will not be taken into account.
DOCUMENTS
- Online Application for the Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, completed through the RCC website.
- Certificate of having been granted a PhD, specifying the date of completion and the grade obtained.
- Curriculum Vitae in accordance with the format required by the Harvard University School or
Department that the candidate has applied to. Affiliated centers or hospitals are not eligible. - Copy of the Admission Letter from the Harvard department, school or research center supporting the applicant’s research project, as well as sponsoring a J-1 Visa for the entire two-year period. The Admission Letter must be signed by a Tenure or Tenure-Track Faculty member that is willing to serve as the supervisor for the applicant.
- A current, valid TOEFL iBT official score report for English knowledge sent directly from ETS to the RCC, with a minimum result of 100 points.
- Research Proposal for the project that will be carried out during the stay at Harvard University (10 pages maximum).
SELECTION CRITERIA
The RCC Academic Council will make a decision on selected candidates by the end of the month of May prior to the beginning of the applicable academic year. The Academic Council decision is based on the principles and procedures of an open, merit, and equal opportunity-based process. When considered necessary, the RCC Academic Council may request an interview with the candidate. In these cases, the candidate will be contacted and given notice with due time.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applicants must fill out and submit the online application form and all required admission materials that are specified in our call for applications.
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