Fellowship Program

2021 SGRP Fellows

 
Please note: the application deadline for the 2021 SGRP Fellowship was January 29, 2021. We are no longer accepting applications at this time for the 2021 cycle. Please review the information below to learn how to apply in future rounds.
 

Harvard’s Solar Geoengineering Research Program (SGRP) invites applications annually for post-doctoral and pre-doctoral fellowships, under the direct supervision of Harvard faculty. The fellowship program is loosely modeled on the successful Harvard University Center for the Environment (HUCE) fellowship program, meaning that fellows will need a faculty host.

Eligibility: Scholars within three years of earning their doctorate (for post-doctoral fellowships) or those admitted to or pursuing a Ph.D. (for pre-doctoral fellowships). Fellowships are open to current graduate students or fellows. We encourage applications from scholars in a range of disciplines, including the natural sciences, economics, law, government, public policy, public health, medicine, design, and the humanities. We also encourage applicants who are new to the field of solar geoengineering, and who have critical views.

Criteria: Quality of fellowship candidate, originality of proposed research, relevance of research to advancing understanding and critical analysis of solar geoengineering. Harvard University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. We strongly encourage applications from women and minority candidates.

Process: SGRP’s Advisory Committee will review all applications and award fellowships based on the criteria above.

Dates: Applications to the 2021 Fellowship are now closed. Please refer back to this page in late 2021 for instructions relevant to the 2022 Fellowship. There are two options for duration (noting that we can accommodate on or off campus work options depending on Harvard’s COVID response):

  1. Short-term fellowships that last from three to six months. These fellowships are designed for applicants who are interested in researching solar geoengineering for a short period of time. Note: (i) The scope of the research should fit within the proposed timeline. (ii) Current pre- or post-doctoral researchers at Harvard can apply to this fellowship if they are interested in extending their research and investigating solar geoengineering, perhaps for the first time. Non-Harvard researchers can apply as well.
  2. Long-term fellowships that last for one to two years with possibility of renewal. These fellowships are designed for applicants who are interested in studying solar geoengineering for a long period of time. Note: (i) The scope of the proposed research project should fit within the proposed timeline. (ii) Harvard and non-Harvard researchers can apply to this fellowship.

Application Process: The most important step is finding a Harvard faculty member who would like to host you as a fellow.

The 2022 Fellowship application process will likely model the 2021 Fellowship application process, when we asked applicants to submit:

  • Timeline: The candidate's desired start date and duration of the fellowship;
  • CV and Cover Letter: CV and a 1-page cover letter describing the candidate's motivation for applying to this particular program, and experience working on solar geoengineering (if any);
  • Research Proposal: A brief research proposal (1-2 pages) that includes key question(s), scope, method(s), and timeline. Note: Applicants who apply for the short-term fellowship may omit a formal research proposal and simply include a description of their research plan in their cover letter;
  • Faculty Support: The name of at least one Harvard faculty member with whom the candidate wanted to collaborate, and a brief letter of support from the faculty member(s). This letter (suggested length 1 page, maximum length 2 pages) should explain: (i) why the proposed research is significant to advancing knowledge in the field, (ii) why this particular candidate is well qualified to advance the proposed research, and (iii) the level of commitment that the faculty member will have to the research and the candidate. Please read more below.

Finding a faculty host: Finding a faculty host: Potential candidates are advised to start early to identify and establish a relationship with a Harvard faculty member to host their research. The host is a mentor to the fellow and provides office space and basic administrative support. In agreeing to be a host, the faculty member is making a significant commitment.

Some Harvard faculty members are approached by many would-be applicants. Some conduct their own selection process to identify one or two applicants for recommendation to the selection committee.

Applicants unfamiliar with Harvard faculty members could find many potential hosts, though far from all, listed on HUCE’s web pages organized by academic areas topics. See faculty member’s own web pages for more detailed information regarding publications and interests. Any faculty member from any discipline may potentially serve as a host, regardless of whether the host has had prior experience with solar geoengineering research or HUCE.

 
Expression of interest by Faculty: Faculty members who are interested in hosting a postdoctoral fellow or graduate student are encouraged to identify and recruit a high-quality applicant. If unsuccessful, faculty members can email Selena Wallace at swallace [at] seas.harvard.edu. The email should include a description of (i) the proposed area of research, and (ii) the ideal skills that a student or fellow supporting this research would have. Selena will work with faculty to try to identify potential applicants who have the ideal experience and interest in the proposed area of research.

Fellows

Britta Clark

Britta Clark

Former Fellow, Harvard’s Solar Geoengineering Research Program
yuanchao-fan

Yuanchao Fan

Former Fellow, Harvard’s Solar Geoengineering Research Program
Yakir Preisler

Yakir Preisler

Current Fellow, Harvard’s Solar Geoengineering Research Program
Daniel Zizzamia

Daniel Zizzamia

Former Fellow, Harvard’s Solar Geoengineering Research Program