"Weatherhead Scholars Program - Moulay Hicham Alaoui Postdoctoral Fellowship in Climate and Environmental Studies"

The Weatherhead Scholars Program at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs invites applications for the 2026-2027 Moulay Hicham Alaoui Postdoctoral Fellowship, a one-year, residential opportunity for early-career scholars in the social sciences whose research focuses on climate and/or environmental issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The Moulay Hicham Alaoui Postdoctoral Fellow will join a multidisciplinary cohort—including other postdoctoral fellows, visiting faculty and practitioner fellows—in residence at Harvard for the academic year. The program fosters a dynamic intellectual community through a weekly seminar, professional development workshops, and engagement with the broader Weatherhead Center and Harvard communities. Fellows are expected to be on campus from late August through mid-May and to participate actively in program activities.

About the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs: The Weatherhead Center is Harvard's largest international research center, supporting rigorous scholarship on global, comparative, transnational, and international issues. Founded in 1958, the Center brings together faculty, fellows, and students from across the University to address pressing global challenges, including conflict and governance, inequality, environmental change, migration, and international development. It serves as an interdisciplinary hub for research, exchange, and public dialogue.

About the Weatherhead Scholars Program: The Weatherhead Scholars Program is a flagship initiative of the Center that brings together an intellectually diverse, international cohort of postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, and practitioner fellows for a year-long residency. Fellows pursue independent research while participating in a weekly seminar, professional development sessions, and collaborative programming across the Center. The program cultivates a vibrant intellectual community that bridges academia and practice, drawing scholars from a wide range of disciplines and professional backgrounds—including government, journalism, diplomacy, civil society, and academia.

Benefits: The Moulay Hicham Alaoui Postdoctoral Fellow will receive a stipend of $70,000, payable over twelve months.

Basic Qualifications: Applicants must have received a PhD within the past three calendar years in a relevant social science field—such as political science, sociology, anthropology, history, economics, public policy, or environmental studies. Research must focus on topics related to climate and/or the environment in the Middle East and North Africa. The PhD must be conferred before the fellowship start date. Applicants with external funding are welcome to apply but must undergo the same review process.

Special Instructions: APPLICATION DEADLINE IS October 15, 2025. PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR A LIST OF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Contact Information: Walid Hammam, Director, Weatherhead Scholars Program, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University. Please see the Weatherhead Scholars Program website and Frequently Asked Questions before contacting. Contact Email: walid_hammam@wcfia.harvard.edu.