Rowland Fellowships 2026 at Harvard University | Fully Funded Research Opportunity

Are you an early-career scientist or engineer with an innovative concept for experimental research? The Rowland Fellowships 2026 at Harvard University may be an ideal opportunity for you to begin your independent research career in one of the world's most prominent academic institutions.

What Is the Rowland Fellowship?

The Rowland Fellowship, administered by the Rowland Institute at Harvard, is a fully financed program that supports highly gifted experimental scientists and engineers. The fellowship, founded by Polaroid pioneer Edwin H. Land and later absorbed by Harvard University in 2002, is well-known for promoting innovative, cross-disciplinary research.

This unique program allows Fellows to operate their own labs as Principal Investigators, making it perfect for those who are willing to take daring scientific risks.

Check: Youth Innovation Challenge 2025 | Win $1,000 - Apply!

Fellowship Details

Eligibility Criteria

• To be eligible for the 2026 cycle, applicants must be finishing their PhDs or have gotten their PhD after May 1, 2024. Fellows must complete their degree before beginning the Fellowship.
• Your research should be experimental and can be in any science or engineering field, like physics, chemistry, biology, and neuroscience.
• We welcome a wide range of fields, and past Fellow research can serve as a guide, but it’s not a limit! We choose Fellows based on the outstanding research ideas. Note that we can’t support research involving human subjects or clinical work since the fellowship allows for different disciplines to share lab spaces.
• We encourage anyone from the wider scientific community to apply, including candidates from any accredited school, whether in the US or abroad.
• Both US citizens and non-citizens can apply for Rowland Fellow positions. The staff at the Rowland Institute and Harvard University can help with the visa process if needed.

Fellowship Benefits

This opportunity stands out from a typical research grant. It’s all about helping early-career scientists take on bold, impactful projects without distractions. The Rowland Fellowship offers:

• Principal Investigator (PI) Status – Fellows can run their own independent labs.
• Dedicated Laboratory Space – Access to modern facilities that fit the Fellow's research needs.
• Solid Financial Support, which includes:
  • Start-up funds for buying equipment
  • An annual budget starting at $225,000 for research, staff, and travel
  • A starting salary of $89,999 a year, along with full Harvard employee benefits
• Teaching and Mentorship Opportunities – Fellows can teach undergraduates and get structured support in leadership, lab management, and professional growth.
• Technical and Engineering Support – There are staff scientists and engineers ready to help design and build custom research tools.

Application Submission

The deadline for applying is August 15, 2025. Don't miss out this fantastic chance!  Apply Now. For latest updates visit News and Scholarships.