Project on Managing the Atom Fellowships
Project on Managing the Atom Fellowships support scholars and mid-career professionals in nuclear policy research to rethink deterrence, reduce its dangers, and address regional nuclear proliferation crises.
Funder: John F. Kennedy School of Government
Due Dates: October 1, 2026 (Applications open) | December 1, 2026 (Applications) | December 15, 2026 (Recommendation letters) | February 15, 2027 (Notification by)
Funding Amounts: $50,000 for predoctoral fellows or $60,000 for postdoctoral fellows over ten months; non-stipendiary appointments also available
Summary: Supports nuclear policy research, particularly rethinking nuclear deterrence, reducing its dangers, and resolving regional nuclear proliferation crises.
Key Information: Predoctoral applicants must have passed general examinations before appointment.
Description
The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs offers ten-month fellowships for predoctoral and postdoctoral scholars and mid-career professionals. The program combines policy and technical perspectives, giving fellows time to develop research and interact with an international cohort, faculty, senior fellows, visiting policymakers, and other experts. Fellowships involving nuclear weapons topics are often shared with the International Security Program.
MTA is moving toward a more focused research agenda, with particular interest in rethinking nuclear deterrence, reducing its dangers, and resolving regional nuclear proliferation crises. Its broader research interests include nuclear nonproliferation, weapons strategy, arms control, disarmament and verification, nuclear energy, regional conflict, and security for nuclear weapons and materials.
