China Public Policy Postdoctoral Fellowship

Contact Info

Laura_ma@hks.harvard.edu

Related Fellowships

Rajawali Institute for Asia Fellows Program

About the Fellowship

The Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia’s China Public Policy Postdoctoral Fellowship Program currently offers one postdoctoral fellowship in the field of contemporary Chinese public policy to recent Ph.D.s of exceptional promise.

Eligibility

Applicants must have received their Ph.D. within five years of the start of the fellowship in a relevant social sciences discipline. Preference will be given to those working in the areas of contemporary domestic politics; political economy; business-government relations; state-society relations; and social, legal, and economic development of China — particularly on issues related to urbanization, political and economic reform, energy and environment, social welfare, and civil society.

Knowledge of Chinese is required, as well as the ability to work with original sources. Residence in the Cambridge area and participation in the activities of the Center throughout the academic year are also required. It is expected that the successful applicant will give at least one research presentation during the fellowship period as well as participate in the Center’s publication program. Foreign nationals must be eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship.

Those who are chosen to receive fellowships must have their degree conferral by June 1 of the same year.

The Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia is a global and values-driven community that believes diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. In fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity, we value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.

Benefits

Each fellowship will run for a period of up to two years. The recipient will receive an annual stipend of $65,000 and a dedicated workspace.

There will not be a China Public Policy Postdoctoral Fellowship application open during the AY2025-26.

Please fill out the online application form, and upload your research proposal, current CV, scholarly writing samples, and 2 letters of recommendation by the deadline. All recommendation letters must be received for full consideration. Please note that we do not provide critique/feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Access the Application

Meet the Current Fellows

Kristine Li

China Public Policy Postdoctoral Fellow, AY 2022-2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Are letters of recommendation required?

Yes, letters of recommendation will be required. Please find instructions for recommendation letters within the application.

I need to make a change to my application—can I edit it once submitted or re-submit?

Throughout the application process, the application will automatically save and you can revisit it at any time. If you are unsure of any response, we encourage you to wait (your application does autosave and you can revisit it at any time on the “My Applications” page) and only submit once you’re ready. You cannot change your application once it is submitted.

Can I confirm that my application was received?

On the “My Applications” page, the status of your application will be displayed. The status “Submitted” indicates it has been received.

Do you provide visa sponsorship for Ash Center fellowships?

Yes, Harvard University can provide J-1 visa sponsorship for eligible fellows.

When will I hear the final decision?

All fall applicants will be notified by early spring.

Will I be required to relocate to Cambridge to complete this fellowship?

Yes, we expect fellows to be in Cambridge to participate in required on-campus activities.

What costs are associated with the fellowship?

The Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia Fellows Program does not offer any financial support or stipend for individuals’ expenses, such as living costs, health insurance, travel expenses, and mandatory fellows program fees. In the past, fellows have funded their affiliation with grants from such sources as the Fulbright/IIE, China Scholarship Council, Ford Foundation, and/or personal funds.