Open Call for Fellowship Applications (Harvard University) : Academic Year 2025-2026 at the Berkman Klein Center

,The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society (BKC) at Harvard University is thrilled to announce an open call for fellowship applications for the academic year 2025-2026. This prestigious opportunity invites experts, scholars, and practitioners to engage with thought leaders in a dynamic environment dedicated to addressing vital issues at the intersection of technology, society, and policy. The fellows will conduct independent work in Cambridge, MA, as part of one of the Center’s topical workstreams, collaborating deeply with BKC faculty, staff, students, and the larger BKC community.

Overview of Fellowship Opportunities

The Berkman Klein Center’s fellowship program offers enhanced engagement across three distinct tracks:

• Academic Fellowships for full-time faculty members,
• Post-Doctoral Fellowships for scholars who have recently completed their PhDs or equivalent,
• Non-Academic Fellowships open to accomplished practitioners from outside the academy.

This diversity of fellowship tracks allows individuals with varying backgrounds and experiences to contribute to the Center’s mission, bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Application Timeline

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. For detailed application instructions, including required materials and submission formats, please visit the fellowship’s dedicated application page.

APPLY HERE

Important Note: Harvard University’s recent statement on financial stewardship may influence the BKC’s ability to host its fellowship program for the 2025-2026 academic year. There may be uncertainties regarding cohort size and availability. Applicants will be kept informed about developments concerning the program.

About the BKC Fellowships Program

Over its 25-year history, the Berkman Klein Center has pioneered innovative approaches to knowledge production, learning, and public engagement beyond traditional academic paradigms. Unlike conventional fellowships that may prioritize academic credentials, the BKC Fellowship program evaluates candidates holistically, valuing their unique journeys, insights, and contributions to the field—much like the open and inclusive nature of the Internet itself.

This approach has cultivated a robust alumni network of over 500 BKC fellows. Many have gone on to excel in diverse areas—academia, governmental roles, technology, social impact, and the arts—while contributing to seminal projects like Creative Commons and the Digital Public Library of America.

2025-2026 Fellowship Workstreams

For the upcoming academic year, BKC is structuring its fellowship opportunities around several critical workstreams. Each workstream, led by accomplished faculty members, tackles urgent issues within the contemporary digital landscape that require interdisciplinary expertise and collaborative solutions.

Candidates will choose to apply for one of the following five workstreams:

1. AI Interpretability Ethics and Implications
   Investigating how artificial intelligence systems can be made more interpretable and accountable.
2. Agentic AI Protocols and Risk Mitigations
   Exploring the ethical frameworks and protocols necessary for managing the behavior of increasingly autonomous AI entities.
3. Artificial General Intelligence Futurecasting and Policy Development
   Engaging in forward-looking research on the implications of AGI and proposing policy frameworks to navigate its development responsibly.
4. Tech, Tools, and Practices for Improving University Discourse
   Innovating strategies and solutions to enhance dialogue and discourse within academic settings, fostering better co-creation of knowledge.
5. Safety Solutions for Social Media
   Developing effective interventions and protocols to improve user safety and trust in social media platforms.

Fellowship applications should clearly outline the types of projects candidates hope to pursue within their chosen workstream. Notably, the final project slate will be collaboratively decided by each workstream’s cohort during a dedicated planning process in the fall.

Our Collaborative Approach

The Berkman Klein Center values a culture of co-creation and collaboration. Here, fellows will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the dynamic development of plans and events related to their workstreams. Prospective fellows are encouraged to express their interests and visions for collaborative projects in their applications, aiming to produce a variety of publicly accessible resources—such as policy recommendations, white papers, and innovative prototypes.

Representatives from past fellowship cohorts have organized impactful initiatives, including:

• Multi-day conferences to discuss the evolving landscape of trust and safety in technology.
• Closed-door workshops with regulators and platform representatives to craft policies for advancing the creator economy.

Engagement with the BKC Community

Fellows are expected to pursue active engagement with the entire BKC and Harvard University communities. Regular participation in weekly community meetings and various programming activities—such as workshops, research sessions, and events—is integral to fostering collaborative growth and knowledge exchange.

Time Commitment and Location

The fellowship program will run for the full academic year, from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. Under this framework, fellows are expected to reside in Cambridge for the duration of the fellowship, dedicating their time to the Center’s workstreams and community initiatives.

Who Should Apply?

The Berkman Klein Center is keen to attract both established scholars and rising stars along with a variety of non-academic practitioners. Each track has specific qualifications and expectations:

Academic Fellowship Track

• Full-time faculty members, including assistant, associate, and full professors.
• Diverse disciplinary backgrounds engaging deeply with AI, social media, and networked communication.
• A clear vision for a project addressing significant problems in these fields.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship Track

• Recent graduates or those nearing completion of doctoral or equivalent degrees.
• Scholarly engagement with AI and social media.
• Strong collaborative spirit and prior contributions to relevant public and scholarly conversations.

Non-Academic Fellowship Track

• Professionals with expertise in AI or social media.
• A clear vision for relevant projects and dedication to collaboration with academic peers.

Support and Resources

BKC provides various forms of support to fellows, including:

• Stipends: Fellowships up to $75,000 annually for those who are on unpaid leave or without external funding, with additional stipends available for those on paid sabbaticals.
• Office Space: Shared workspaces designed to foster productivity and collaboration among fellows.
• Access to Health Insurance through Harvard’s offerings, subject to eligibility.
• Library and Research Facilities: Comprehensive access to Harvard’s extensive resources.
• Teaching Opportunities: Potential for fellows to teach at Harvard during their fellowship, subject to individual arrangements with the relevant academic departments.

Community Principles and Non-Discrimination Notice

Berkman Klein Center’s community is guided by norms and policies developed by Harvard University. The Center is committed to creating an inclusive environment and does not discriminate based on age, race, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic.

Application Process

Interested candidates should prepare their applications carefully, including:

• A CV highlighting relevant experiences.
• A 1-2 page cover letter expressing interest in a specific workstream.
• A 2-3 page project proposal articulating either a past project or a new initiative.
• 1-3 work samples showcasing prior work.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide references during the interview process.

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The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society (BKC) at Harvard University is thrilled to announce an open call for fellowship applications for the academic year 2025-2026. This prestigious opportunity invites experts, scholars, and practitioners to engage with thought leaders in a dynamic environment dedicated to addressing vital issues at the intersection of technology, society, …

The post Open Call for Fellowship Applications (Harvard University) : Academic Year 2025-2026 at the Berkman Klein Center appeared first on Scholarly Africa.

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