Mahindra Center Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026–27 at Harvard

About the Fellowship

The Mahindra Humanities Center Postdoctoral Fellowships at Harvard University offer an extraordinary opportunity for emerging scholars to advance innovative research in the environmental humanities. Designed for early-career academics across the humanities, this prestigious one-year fellowship supports scholars exploring the relationships between environment, culture, and society. The program encourages interdisciplinary perspectives on urgent global issues such as climate change, environmental justice, biodiversity, sustainability, and human-nature relations. Fellows benefit from Harvard’s rich intellectual environment, engaging in bi-weekly seminars, collaborative dialogues, and participation in the Center’s Environment Forum. This fellowship fosters a vibrant research community dedicated to understanding the human dimensions of ecological change and environmental resilience.

Fellowship / Details

Position Title: Mahindra Humanities Center Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026–27
Host Institution: Mahindra Humanities Center, Harvard University
Administering Body / Funding Agency: Harvard University
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
Research Field(s): Environmental Humanities and related disciplines in the arts and humanities
Fellowship Type: Postdoctoral Fellowship (Full-time, in residence)
Level: Early-career researchers
Fellowship Duration: One year (September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027)
Expected Start Date: 1 September 2026
Working Hours: Full-time, as per Harvard University norms
Funding/Compensation: USD 70,000 annual stipend, health insurance, USD 2,500 research allowance, and USD 1,500 relocation allowance
Required Degree/Diploma: PhD in a humanistic discipline completed after May 2023 or by 1 August 2026

Supported Research Fields / Areas

Main Subjects

Environmental Humanities
Climate Change
Environmental Justice
Sustainability
Cultural Studies
Human–Environment Interactions

Interdisciplinary Fields or Specialisations Eligible

Literature
History
Philosophy
Cultural Geography
Art History
Anthropology
Political Ecology
Environmental Studies
Ethics
Related Humanities and Social Science Fields

Eligibility & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

PhD awarded on or after May 2023, or all PhD requirements completed by 1 August 2026
Demonstrated research excellence and innovative approach to the environmental humanities
Commitment to residence at Harvard University during the fellowship term

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong publication record or evidence of research potential
Interdisciplinary or cross-cultural research experience
Engagement with environmental and social justice themes

Not Eligible:

Candidates unable to complete PhD requirements by August 2026
Scholars with overlapping postdoctoral appointments during the fellowship year

Fellowship / Job Benefits

Annual stipend of USD 70,000
Comprehensive health insurance coverage
Research support allowance of USD 2,500
Relocation assistance of USD 1,500 (for non-local fellows)
Full access to Harvard’s academic facilities and research networks
Participation in the Environment Forum and bi-weekly academic seminars
Collaboration with distinguished faculty and visiting scholars

Key Responsibilities

Conduct independent, original research in the environmental humanities
Actively participate in bi-weekly seminar discussions during both academic semesters
Engage with the Mahindra Center’s Environment Forum and related programming
Contribute to collaborative research and intellectual exchange within Harvard’s academic community
Present research findings through talks or publications during the fellowship term