The Associate Program enables past Harvard-Yenching Institute grantees to return to Harvard for independent research. Participants spend three months to one year in Cambridge, using Harvard professors and research materials relevant to a new or continuing project.
Associates conduct their work independently and must bring their own funding. HYI provides visa sponsorship plus University and library access.
Benefits & funding
- HYI provides visa sponsorship under Harvard International Office guidelines.
- Associates receive Harvard University and library access during the research stay.
- The program provides no stipend, airfare reimbursement, or medical insurance; applicants must show sufficient funds for their stay.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be former Harvard-Yenching Institute grantees.
- Former grantees must have spent three years back at their home institution before applying.
- Applicants need a support letter from a Harvard faculty member and approval for leave from their home department or school.
- Applicants must document a sufficient budget through a scholarship award letter or personal financial statement.
- The official page states no nationality, residency, degree, age, gender, or work-experience restriction.
Can you apply?
Open to all applicants
No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.
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Application process
- 1Complete the official application form.
- 2Prepare an English research proposal with a tentative schedule and proposed start and end dates.
- 3Add an English CV covering employment, publications, and honors, plus proof of funding, a Harvard faculty recommendation, and home-institution leave approval.
- 4Email the complete application packet to the Harvard-Yenching Institute by April 15 or October 15.
Program timeline
Application deadlines
April 15 and October 15 each year
Next deadline under the published twice-yearly schedule
October 15, 2026
No later than six weeks after each deadline
Selection decision