Reimagining fellowship applications for AY2026-27 are now open through January 9, 2026.
The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation invites faculty, doctoral, and postdoctoral students to apply to its Democracy Visiting Fellowship Program and further their research on substantive democratic governance issues.
We are broadly interdisciplinary and invite scholars who use approaches from political theory and philosophy, political science, sociology, law, or history. We are especially interested in drawing scholars whose work focuses on innovations in public participation and political participation in democracies or non-democracies.
The Ash Center is a global and values-driven community that believes diverse perspectives are paramount to better understanding and addressing real-world problems. In fostering an environment of rigor, curiosity, and integrity, we value and respect different opinions, lived experiences, and diverse research and policy areas and approaches. We actively seek candidates who share our commitment and values.
The duration of the fellowship is one academic year, lasting from August 1 through July 31 of the following year. Democracy Visiting Fellows are expected to be in residency during their appointment to participate in required on-campus activities. The main requirement is attendance to a weekly democracy community seminar series, throughout the academic year, make a presentation of your research, and engage in the activities of the Ash Center and Kennedy School more broadly. Where relevant to their work, Fellows may be asked to contribute to the development of other Ash Center research or program activities. Fellows are also expected to attend a mandatory new fellow orientation that will take place during the month of August. The Democracy Visiting Fellowship carries a modest administration fee.
Fellows join a vibrant, multidisciplinary community of scholars, practitioners, and activists from around the world. Weekly seminars, study groups, and public events foster intellectual exchange and collaboration, providing opportunities to test ideas, receive constructive feedback, and build meaningful partnerships. The community’s diversity of perspectives–ranging from academic research to hands-on policymaking–creates a uniquely rich environment for exploring democratic innovation.
The fellowship provides full access to Harvard’s unparalleled resources. This includes dedicated workspaces, entry to world-class libraries and research databases, and the opportunity to audit classes across Harvard’s schools. Fellows can also attend a wide variety of lectures, conferences, and cultural events taking place on campus, allowing them to engage with leading thinkers across disciplines.
The fellowship experience extends well beyond the time spent on campus. Fellows become part of a growing alumni network that remains engaged long after their fellowship concludes. Through newsletters, invitation to events, and ongoing partnerships, the Ash Center fosters a lasting sense of community and shared purpose among current and former fellows.
Reimagining fellowship applications for AY2026-27 are now open through January 9, 2026.
Visiting Professor of Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School;
Co-Director of the Program on Democracy and the Informed Public;
Samuel F. and Rose B. Gingold Chair in Human Development and Professor of Economics,
School of Social Sciences and Social Policy, Brandeis University
Ash Center Senior Fellow
Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy, February 2025 - November 2025
Non-resident Senior Practice Fellow in American Democracy, December 2025 - November 2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2021-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2024-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2024-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2024-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, Reimagining Democracy Program, AY2024-2025
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Nonviolent Action Lab, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2024-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Non-resident Democracy Fellow, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Senior Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2025-2026
Democracy Visiting Fellow, AY2024-2025
Non-resident Democracy Fellow, AY2025-2026
Non-resident Senior Fellow, June 2025-May 2026
Affiliate Democracy Fellow, AY2016-2026
Each fellowship is different, some do require letters of recommendation while others simply ask for references. Please login and view each application for requirements.
Throughout the application process, the application will automatically save and you can revisit it at any time. If you an unsure of any response, we encourage you to wait (your application does autosave and you can revisit it at any time on the “My Applications” page) and only submit once you’re ready. You cannot change your application once it is submitted.
On the “My Applications” page, the status of your application will be displayed. The status “Submitted” indicates it has been received.
Yes, Harvard University can provide J-1 visa sponsorship for eligible fellows.
All fall applicants will be notified by early spring.
Yes, we expect fellows to be in Cambridge to participate in required on-campus activities.
Both sets of fellowships are focused on building and supporting healthy democracy, so there is inevitable overlap in the research interests of the Fellows. We encourage the Fellows in both programs to collaborate, share their work, and build common purpose together.
Fellows in the Reimagining Democracy program work with Ash Center Director Professor Archon Fung. They focus on substantive democratic governance issues, especially on innovations in public participation and political participation in democracies or non-democracies.
The Allen Lab Fellows work with Professor Danielle Allen in the Lab for Democracy Renovation. They focus on advancing the theory of power-sharing liberalism through work on tech and democracy, advancing new frameworks for political economy, renovating governance mechanisms, and building civic education policy.
While the Allen Lab provides some remote/part-time fellowship opportunities, Reimagining Democracy Program fellowships require residency and tend to be full-time, lasting for the full academic year.