Brief Description:

Harvard University President Derek Bok established the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program in 1979 to address the needs of South Africans denied access to advanced education by the apartheid system. The creation of this program was a direct response to the strong movement by Harvard students and faculty during the divestment campaigns of the 1970s. The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program continues to serve as an intellectual resource for talented South Africans, with the goal of providing a “transformational experience” at Harvard University during the fellowship year.

Description:

Harvard University President Derek Bok established the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program in 1979 to address the needs of South Africans denied access to advanced education by the apartheid system. The creation of this program was a direct response to the strong movement by Harvard students and faculty during the divestment campaigns of the 1970s. The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program continues to serve as an intellectual resource for talented South Africans, with the goal of providing a “transformational experience” at Harvard University during the fellowship year.

Fellowships are for up to one year of study in one of Harvard’s Professional Schools or Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with tuition provided by the participating School. General administrative funds for program management, stipends, and airfare for the fellows are provided by the Office of the President and administered by the Center for African Studies under the directorship of Professor John Mugane. The recruitment and selection interviews for the HSAFP fellows take place annually with the support of the Center for African Studies’ Africa Office in Johannesburg.

Application Information:

The application includes the following categories:

• General Information
• Contact Information
• Education
• Employment History
• Short Answers
• Upload of files, including: CV, transcripts, personal statement, and academic essay
• Recommendation Letters
• Consent & Electronic Signature

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to all South Africans who qualify. Applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa. 

• Intended for mid-career professionals educationally disadvantaged by past laws and resource allocations in South Africa. 

• Priority will be extended to mid-career applicants from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups, including applicants from rural areas outside urban centers.

• Ideal candidates are those who seek to model ethical leadership, knowledge sharing, and serve as a resource to improve and transform their communities and South Africa.

• Applicants whose interest in the program is only in seeking an advanced degree or professional certification to advance their own career interests are not ideal candidates. 

• Alumni of the program are expected to remain involved after the completion of their fellowship and serve as ambassadors for the fellowship.

Additional Information, Related Websites, and Proxy Instructions:

Additional information about the Harvard University Center for African Studies and the fellowship program is available here, https://africa.harvard.edu/south-africa-fellowship-program

Please direct questions to africaoffice@harvard.edu

Contact Information: