Harvard-Yenching Library Research Grant — Fellowship

The Harvard-Yenching Library Research Grant supports scholars who need to use a specific Asian-language collection uniquely available at the Harvard-Yenching Library. Recipients conduct research at Harvard in Cambridge for three to six months.

The Harvard-Yenching Institute runs the program and supports no more than two scholars per year. Priority goes to senior scholars and researchers pursuing inter-Asian comparative projects.

Benefits & funding

Economy-class round-trip transportation to Cambridge.
A monthly stipend and medical insurance for the individual scholar.
Three to six months of research time at Harvard.

Eligibility

Applicants must be full-time faculty or full-time research fellows based at a higher-education institution outside the United States when applying.
Applicants need a proven publication record and must identify a specific Asian-language collection uniquely available in the Harvard-Yenching Library.
Former recipients of Harvard-Yenching Institute scholarships or fellowships are not eligible.
The grant cannot supplement or extend another award already received by the applicant.
Asia-based scholars are preferred; senior scholars and applicants proposing inter-Asian comparative research receive priority.
The official page states no citizenship, age, gender, or minimum-years-of-experience requirement.

Can you apply?

Open to all applicants

No nationality, residency, education, or experience limits are listed.

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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.

Application process

1
Choose a proposed research start date and prepare to apply at least six months before it.
2
Complete the linked application form and prepare a research proposal, a CV with publication list, and two recommendation letters from scholars familiar with both the applicant’s abilities and project.
3
Email the complete materials to jflaherty@fas.harvard.edu by April 15 or October 15.
4
Expect notification no later than six weeks after the deadline.

Program timeline

Next application deadline.
October 15, 2026
Within six weeks after the deadline
Applicants notified.
At least six months after application
Proposed research may begin.