Harvard University Pre-doctoral Fellowship 2026 Fully Funded Research Position In Development Economics Political Economy And Public Policy
Harvard University is offering an exciting Pre-Doctoral Fellowship for 2026—a fully paid, hands-on research role that’s tailor-made for ambitious early-career researchers eyeing a top-tier PhD in economics. Supervised by economist Augustin Bergeron, this position dives deep into cutting-edge work in development economics, political economy, public economics, and economic history, with a special focus on taxation, governance, state capacity, and institutional trust in low-capacity settings—such as projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and historical Nigeria.
If you’ve finished your bachelor’s or master’s and want real research experience before jumping into a doctorate, this could be the perfect bridge. Past pre-docs in similar roles have gone on to PhD programs at leading global universities, and this one offers mentorship from a Harvard economist, as well as collaboration with networks at places like UC Berkeley, NYU Stern, the University of Chicago, UBC, LSE, and the World Bank.
The Content of the Scholarship
You’ll work full-time on all stages of research: designing studies, running field experiments, analyzing data, and contributing to policy-relevant insights. Expect opportunities for co-authorship, publications, and even fieldwork in places like Kananga, DRC—giving you boots-on-the-ground experience in development challenges.
- Start date: July 1, 2026
- Duration: 1 year, with strong potential for renewal into a second year (based on performance and project needs)
- Location: Based at Harvard University (Cambridge, MA), with possible international travel for fieldwork
The Scholarship Benefits
This is a salaried position—no tuition worries, just focus on research.
- Annual salary: Approximately $50,000
- Additional benefits: Visa sponsorship possible for international candidates, direct mentorship from top economists, skill-building in causal inference and programming, and a strong launchpad for competitive PhD applications
Eligibility Criteria
Ideal candidates are those with:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s in economics, mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a closely related field
- Strong interest in development economics, political economy, public economics, or economic history
- Training in causal inference methods
- Solid programming skills (especially Stata or R)
- Excellent academic writing
- Clear desire to pursue a PhD
No strict age or nationality limits—it’s open globally, with emphasis on quantitative chops and research passion. Willingness to engage in fieldwork (e.g., time in the DRC) is a plus. The Harvard University Pre-doctoral Fellowship 2026 Fully Funded Research Position in Development Economics Political Economy And Public Policy intends to get the right talent from any corner of the world.
The Application Procedure
If you have prepared your documents, send them through the relevant email. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and remain open until the position is filled, so early applications are highly encouraged to beat the competition. Submit via the official Harvard Academic Positions portal:
(or search for reference/posting details on Harvard’s jobs site).
Required materials:
- One-page cover letter explaining your research interests and fit
- CV (include GPA, class rank if available)
- Academic transcripts
- Optional: Recommendation letters
Tailor your letter to show why Bergeron’s work on governance, taxation, and state capacity excites you—mention any relevant coursework, RA experience, or coding projects.
The Reasons to Take the Opportunity
In a world grappling with weak institutions, taxation challenges, and development hurdles in fragile states, roles like this let you contribute to meaningful, evidence-based policy while supercharging your PhD profile. Harvard pre-docs are known for opening doors—many alumni land spots at elite programs and build impressive research portfolios early.
Conclusion on Harvard University Pre-doctoral Fellowship 2026 Fully Funded Research Position in Development Economics Political Economy And Public Policy
If you’re quantitative, curious about how states function (or fail) in low-capacity contexts, and ready for intensive research at one of the world’s best universities, don’t wait. Apply early, polish that cover letter, and position yourself for a transformative year (or two) in Cambridge. This could be the step that sets your PhD journey on fire.
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