Harvard Bell Fellowships

CFA Bell Fellowship

The Bell Fellowship Program provides opportunities for research and leadership training in a two-year, non-degree program for researchers and practitioners in the field of population and development.

Selected candidates possess:

  • a strong record of academic training
  • a commitment to population and development work
  • the demonstrated ability to work independently
  • leadership potential

Harvard Bell Fellows examine a broad range of critical issues in the field of population and development studies from multidisciplinary perspectives. A wide range of perspectives will enhance the Fellows’ experiences and broaden the community life at the Center. This year we welcome applications from scholars working in the following areas:

  • Immigration and migration
  • Geospatial and multilevel modeling with a focus on heterogeneity
  • Youth, families, and social mobility
  • Aging societies

Please be sure to read through ALL the pages, including the FAQ section where there is important information. If you have questions, please email popcenter@hsph.harvard.edu.

Please note: The program is open to both U.S. and international scholars and is supported through sources other than federal funding.

We are NOW recruiting for the 2026–2028 cohort of Harvard Bell Fellows. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.

Program Goals Mentorship & Resources Expectations Terms & Conditions FAQs How to Apply to HCPDS Postdoctoral Fellowships Current and Past Bell Fellow Profiles

About David E. Bell and the History of the Fellowship

The Harvard David E. Bell Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is named in honor of the late David E. Bell, Clarence Gamble Professor of Population Sciences and International Health, Emeritus, at the Harvard School of Public Health (now the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health), and former director of the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies. Professor Bell played a critical role in international population and development throughout his distinguished career. Since its creation in 1990, the program has awarded over 80 postdoctoral fellowships to international professionals in population and development.