Applications

Fellows are selected based on their previous academic achievement and the contribution they are likely to make as researchers, clinicians, and teachers to the field of bioethics and to their home institutions, after completion of the program. The application requirements are listed in the portal, as well as below.

Fellows must have external salary support. The fellowship program fee for the 2025-2026 academic year is $15,495 USD. Most fellows receive this support from their sponsoring institutions. The Center provides an explanatory letter to applicants who would like help approaching their sponsoring institutions with such a request. This letter can be found in the application portal.

Required Application Materials

• A completed online application.
• Your current curriculum vitae.
• A statement of purpose describing the reasons for your interest in the fellowship, including any particular topics or questions you are most interested in exploring. This letter must be 750 words or fewer in length and is an important opportunity for you to tell us about yourself, your interests, and your motivations in pursuing training in bioethics.
• Two (2) letters of reference.
• A third letter from a supervisor or key senior staff person from the institution where you are employed. The purpose of the letter is to highlight likely opportunities you will have to contribute to bioethics back at your home institution upon completion of the program. This letter does not require that your institution will be supporting you financially. Rather, it should explain how your newfound and enhanced skills in bioethics can be deployed to help build bioethics capacity in your home organization.

Questions?

Please email bioethics_fellowship@hms.harvard.edu if you have questions.