Visiting Scientist Program

As a way to foster a diverse intellectual environment, the Harvard Pop Center is pleased to welcome visiting scientists from other universities during the course of the year.  Visits can occur for one week up to six months.  Ordinarily, visiting scientists are established scholars who must (1) hold a doctoral degree or the foreign equivalent and (2) have an appointment comparable to that of a Harvard faculty member, and (3) are in most cases on temporary leave from their universities or research centers. Meet our current visiting scientists!

The Harvard Pop Center will provide visiting scientists with office space (sometimes shared). For visits longer than a month, a computer account and access to the University libraries will be arranged.

It is expected that visiting scientists:

  • Have sponsorship by a Harvard faculty member (preferably a Harvard Pop Center faculty member).
  • Will conduct a seminar that showcases their research at the Harvard Pop Center (dependent upon the Center’s event calendar).
  • Attend and participate in Harvard Pop Center events.
  • Will reside at the Harvard Pop Center for the majority of time for the duration of their visit.
  • Come equipped with their own laptop
  • Have funding from their home universities or from outside grant or funding agencies.  For those being sponsored on a visa, a funding threshold must be met.

An ONLINE APPLICATION should be submitted by interested parties as far in advance as possible; reviews of these applications will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Here are the questions you’ll be expected to answer in the online application:

  • Proposed term of affiliation/visit
  • Approximate departure date
  • Anticipated travel during this period (e.g., conference or extended personal travel)
  • Do you expect to conduct research at institutions other than Harvard during your proposed term at HCPDS? If so, please describe.
  • Will you need a visa? If you are not sure, please visit the Harvard International website at www.hio.harvard.edu
  • Please describe any technical needs (including software)
  • Proposed funding: Visiting scientists must arrange for a living stipend from their home university or from an organization such as Fulbright, Carnegie, and other.
  • Funding source(s): Please list the organizations to which you have applied for funding of this project/visit. Please specify whether the funding is PENDING or CONFIRMED.
  • Which Harvard Pop Center faculty member is sponsoring you?
  • Title and description of your research project (up to 700 words)
  • What is the highest degree you have received, plus year awarded and from what institution?
  • An updated CV will need to be uploaded at the end of the application

If you have questions about the Visiting Scientist program at the Harvard Pop Center or need help with the application form, please contact Laura Price (lprice@hsph.harvard.edu).