Exploratory Seminar Program
The Exploratory Seminar Program by Harvard University funds short, invitation-only interdisciplinary seminars to foster early-stage research innovation and collaboration.
Funder: Harvard University
Due Dates: October 9, 2026 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Supports 1–2 day, invitation-only, in-person seminars for up to 16 participants; covers travel, lodging, meals, and meeting costs.
Summary: Funds interdisciplinary seminars for early-stage idea exploration by Harvard faculty and Radcliffe fellows.
Key Information: Lead applicants must be Harvard ladder faculty or current/former Radcliffe fellows; seminars are not open to the public.
Description
The Exploratory Seminar Program at Harvard University's Radcliffe Institute provides funding to organize short, invitation-only interdisciplinary seminars focused on early-stage research ideas. Designed to foster intellectual risk-taking and experimentation, the program brings together 12–16 participants—including scholars, practitioners, and artists—for one- to two-day, in-person events on the Radcliffe campus. The initiative encourages the testing, discussion, and refinement of innovative concepts, with the aim of sparking new research directions and collaborations. Proposals from all disciplines are welcome, with particular interest in topics such as climate change, academic freedom, public policy, social issues, and women, gender, and society.
