Deadline: April 15, 2025
Applications are open for the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program (HSAFP) 2025. The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program (HSAFP) was established in 1979 by Harvard President Derek Bok to address the needs of South Africans denied access to advanced education under Apartheid. The program was a direct response to the strong movement by Harvard students and faculty during the transnational divestment campaigns of the 1970s.
The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program (HSAFP) continues to serve as a powerful bridge-builder and intellectual opportunity for talented South Africans, with the goal of providing a “transformational experience” at Harvard University during recipients’ fellowship year and beyond.
Fellowships are up to one year of study at select Harvard schools, including Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Harvard Business School executive education programs (i) Program for Leadership Development (PLD), ii) General Management Program (GMP), iii) Advanced Management Program (AMP)). The recruitment and selection process for the HSAFP take place annually, with interviews facilitated by the Africa Office in Johannesburg.
Funding
- The fellowship provides for payment of all tuition for the full period of enrollment at Harvard.
- The fellowship also funds round-trip airfare between the fellow’s city of residence and Boston.
- A monthly stipend is provided to fellows, with the exception of those enrolled in the Executive Education Programs, to cover the cost of housing and other living expenses. Housing is usually in university graduate dormitories. Please note that housing costs in the Boston/Cambridge area are extremely high, and the stipend only covers bare necessities. The monthly stipend must also be used to pay other expenses such as medical and dental insurance, medicine, taxes, food, winter clothing, books, and supplies. Fellows are held personally responsible for the payment of all bills other than tuition fees and airfare. Fellows should also be aware that their stipends will have a significant amount of taxes taken out before they receive the funds.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a bachelors degree or four-year equivalent.
- Applicants must be able to conduct spoken and written academic work of the highest standard in Harvard’s language of instruction (English).
- Applicants must be South African citizens (or legal permanent residents of South Africa); priority will be given to those currently working in Africa.
- Applicants must have at least five years of postgraduate work experience; priority will be given to those with a demonstrated commitment to the public good.
Expectations
- 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.
- Priority will be extended to mid-career applicants who have been educationally disadvantaged by past laws and resource allocations in South Africa, or whose families were harmed by discriminatory laws and exclusionary policies under apartheid.
- 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 and resources to one another.
Application
The application includes the following categories:
- General Information
- Contact Details
- Education
- Employment History
- Upload of files: CV, transcripts, personal statement, and academic essay
- Recommendation Letters
- Consent & Electronic Signature
For more information, visit Harvard South Africa Fellowship.
