Visiting Fellows Program

The information provided here should answer most of your questions. Should you require more information, please address your queries to the Islamic Legal Studies Program at ilsp@law.harvard.edu.

Application Process
Funding
Facilities

The Islamic Legal Studies Program invites interested scholars and practitioners to submit applications for its visiting fellows program for the next available academic year. Applications, due February 1, are welcome from individuals with a diverse range of backgrounds, traditions, and scholarly interests. There is no restriction on nationality. Positions are intended to support work on a post-doctoral or post-J.D. independent research project, and visiting fellows are expected to be in residence at ILSP throughout their term of appointment. Preference will be given to applicants who have not enjoyed a Harvard affiliation in the recent past. Applications from students enrolled in a degree program at another university than Harvard will be considered only under exceptional circumstances.

ILSP recognizes two categories of Visiting Fellow: Senior Visiting Fellow and Visiting Fellow. Senior Visiting Fellows are those who have attained a level of scholarly attention and reputation that befits a certain seniority in the field.

Below, please find guidelines and general information on how to apply. It should be noted that a visiting fellow appointment does not entitle the individual to participation in any Harvard degree program.

Periods of Appointment

Most appointments are for the nine-month academic year, September through May. The preferred periods for shorter appointments are four-month academic semesters, September 1 to December 31 (Fall) or February 1 to May 31 (Spring).

Funding

A visiting fellow is awarded funding for the period of the appointment at Harvard Law School. The level of funding is individually determined based on candidates' needs and the Program's ability to meet them, and is dependent on the category of fellowship. A financial aid form (Word) (pdf) should be submitted with the application.

Living Expenses

A single person can expect to incur living expenses of $6,600 and up, including rent, for a four-month period. A married couple can expect living expenses of at least $9,000 for a four-month period.

Housing

ILSP does not provide housing for visiting fellows but will try to help in the search. No housing should be expected in University apartments or dormitory rooms, for which Harvard faculty and students have priority. Visiting fellows are encouraged to seek outside housing several months before arriving in Cambridge, preferably in person. If this is not possible, there are online resources for housing in the area. Please get in touch with ILSP staff for this information.

The average rent for a room in an apartment or house shared with others is $900 and for a studio apartment, $1400; expect to pay at least $1800 for a two-bedroom apartment. Please note that furnished or short-term accommodations (less than a year) are more difficult to find, and generally are more expensive; however, with some planning and persistence, one can find housing at or below the costs above.

Health Insurance

All visiting fellows must show proof of having adequate health insurance. Those who do not already possess such insurance can access information on Harvard Affiliate Health Insurance at the Harvard University Health Services website. A less expensive plan, available by the month, has been negotiated by Harvard's International Office for international scholars.

Facilities

Office space

The Program provides all of its visiting fellows with office space, a computer, and access to local telephone and fax. Bringing one's own laptop is highly recommended. Although the visiting fellow is expected to use his/her office at the Program, and help and advice will be proferred as needed, secretarial services are not provided.

Library

Visiting fellows have full access to the Harvard Law Library, the largest private law library in the world, as well as to all other libraries at the University.

Courses

Visiting fellows may audit one Law School course on a non-credit basis per semester, with permission of the instructor. There is no tuition charge for auditing courses. Visiting fellows do not have faculty status. It should be noted that the appointment does not entitle the individual to participate in any Harvard degree program.

Faculty Club

Visiting fellows may apply for membership in the Harvard Faculty Club. The Club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Friday. There is no membership fee and members are billed monthly for meals taken at the Club.

Other

Visiting fellows may take advantage of a wealth of cultural and academic extra-curricular offerings that are available to the Harvard community on a daily basis. They will have opportunities to meet each other through functions organized by numerous groups and programs at Harvard Law School and other parts of the University. Visiting fellows should come prepared to share their professional experience and expertise. It is hoped that they will take part in the various activities of the ILSP in whatever ways are most suited to their interests and capacities.

English Language Instruction

Harvard University, through its Division of Continuing Education, offers English language courses for foreigners. English as a Second Language (ESL) courses are offered by many other programs and schools in the Boston area, as well. ILSP does not cover tuition costs for these programs.

Application Process

A formal application process is to be followed and consists of submitting the following:

A completed application form (Word) (pdf);
A complete personal, educational and professional curriculum vitae;
A recent publication;
A written statement, preferably not to exceed 1500 words, of a specific research project that can be accomplished during the visitor's residence at Harvard Law School. This statement should include a declaration of purpose and objectives to be attained, including a research plan and the proposed form (e.g., book, article) of the completed project. The proposal should show knowledge of the literature available on the topic and it should explain how its completion will contribute to the applicant's work and career and how the Islamic Legal Studies Program, and specifically Harvard Law School, can help in its accomplishment;
A project budget, with an explicit statement on the source and amount of funds available for the period of stay, and the application for a stipendiary fellowship. Applicants should be aware that our stipend is intended to maintain one adult only, and those planning on relocating with spouse and children should be aware of the high cost of housing a family in the Boston area;
Two letters of recommendation, sent by the referees directly to the ILSP Program Administrator, either by post, fax, or email. The letters must relate directly to the applicant's proposed research.

Please note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. No application will be returned. All publications submitted may be placed in the Harvard Law School Library.

Selection Criteria

In reviewing applications, the Program will consider foremost the quality and viability of the proposed plan of research, and the availability of both the Harvard Law School library collection and the Harvard Law School faculty for consultation in the proposed research area. Secondarily, English-language proficiency and the intellectual distinction of the applicant's previous work will be taken into account. The Program also endeavors to accept a varied group of visiting fellows in any academic year, both in terms of nationality as in research to be undertaken. As said above, preference will be given to applicants who have not enjoyed a Harvard affiliation in the recent past.

Application Deadlines

Applications should be sent, by post, fax, or email, to the Program Administrator, Islamic Legal Studies Program, Harvard Law School, 125 Mount Auburn St. 3rd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA and received no later than February 1 for appointments beginning the following academic year.

Notification of decisions will be emailed within 45 days of the application deadline.