BC Ricci Institute–HYI Joint Visiting Researcher Fellowship Program

The Boston College Ricci Institute and Harvard-Yenching Institute jointly host this six-month research fellowship in Boston and Cambridge. It supports independent humanities and social-science research using the Ricci Institute and Harvard-Yenching Library collections.

The published 2026–27 cycle closed on December 5, 2025, and the next cycle has not yet been announced. Projects directly related to the history and cultures of China, Japan, Korea, or Vietnam, including comparative work, receive priority.

Benefits & funding

Recipients receive a monthly stipend of US$6,700 for six months.
Fellows receive Visiting Researcher privileges and library access at Boston College and Harvard University.
Boston College assists eligible non-US citizens with the visiting-researcher visa process.
Recipients remain responsible for travel, medical insurance, and housing expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a doctoral degree.
Applicants must be full-time faculty at an Asia-based university or full-time research fellows at a research institution in Asia; citizenship is unrestricted.
Research must concern East Asian culture within the humanities or social sciences, including interdisciplinary approaches.
Fellows must be regularly present, participate in both institutes’ academic programs, give a public lecture or seminar, and submit an end-of-stay research report.

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Education required
PhD

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Application process

1
Prepare a current curriculum vitae.
2
Write a 5–10-page, double-spaced research statement describing the project, activities, field contribution, publication plans, use of both collections, and proposed six-month dates.
3
Arrange two current, signed recommendation letters on official institutional letterhead; all documents must be in English.
4
Submit the application online and have each recommender submit their letter directly through the separate recommendation form.
5
If shortlisted, attend a Zoom interview with the joint selection process.

Program timeline

October 20, 2025
The 2026–27 call for applications was published.
Online information session.
November 19, 2025
Application deadline.
December 5, 2025
Semifinalist Zoom interviews.
Early to mid-January 2026
Applicants notified of decisions.
By the end of January 2026
Preferred fellowship start.
End of August 2026
Latest permitted arrival.
October 31, 2026
March 2027
Stated end window for fellows arriving after August.