Emirates Leadership Initiative Research Fellowship
Emirates Leadership Initiative Research Fellowship supports policy-oriented scholars’ independent research on UAE, Gulf, and Arab-world public policy challenges to build capacity and advance evidence-based solutions.
Funder: John F. Kennedy School of Government
Due Dates: October 1, 2026 (Applications open) | December 1, 2026 (Applications close) | December 15, 2026 (Recommendations due) | February 27, 2027 (Decisions by)
Funding Amounts: $55,000–$75,000 stipends for ten months; non-stipendiary appointments also available
Summary: Supports independent, policy-oriented research addressing critical public policy challenges in the UAE, the Gulf, and the broader Arab world.
Key Information: Fellows must be physically present at Harvard University throughout the fellowship.
Description
The Emirates Leadership Initiative Research Fellowship is administered by the Middle East Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School, with funding from the Department of Government Enablement — Abu Dhabi Government. It provides junior and mid-career policy-oriented scholars with a stipend and access to Harvard’s libraries and other resources for independent research relevant to the UAE, the Gulf region, and the broader Arab world.
The fellowship aims to build regional capacity, advance scholarship, and identify evidence-based solutions with constructive, real-world impact. Research priorities include optimizing governance, increasing economic dynamism, strengthening human capital, and improving public policy design and delivery. All nationalities may apply, with particular interest in scholars who are from and intend to return to the UAE, the Gulf, and the Arab world.
