Harvard Law School Fellowship for Law Teachers 2027-2028

Scholarship Overview

The Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship at Harvard Law School is a fully funded program designed for recent law graduates who aspire to become legal scholars and teachers. This fellowship provides an immersive environment at Harvard Law School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, allowing fellows to focus on their research projects and academic career development. The program is specifically intended to support those with a vision to increase professional diversity within the legal academy.

Can Pakistani Students Apply?

Yes, Pakistani students are eligible to apply. The fellowship is an international program, and there are no explicit restrictions based on nationality stated in the official program documentation.

Funding and Benefits

This is a fully funded fellowship. The program provides the following benefits:

• An annual stipend of $60,000.
• Residence at Harvard Law School during the fellowship year (July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028).
• Opportunities to audit courses at Harvard Law School.
• Access to specialized workshops.
• Support for publishing at least one major research article.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a recent law graduate.
• Must hold a J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D. degree at the time of application.
• Must demonstrate a strong interest in legal scholarship and a teaching career.
• Must have a clear, actionable research and writing project for the fellowship tenure.
• Must be prepared to contribute to the diversity of the legal academy.

Required Documents

Applicants must prepare the following documentation:

• A comprehensive resume or CV.
• A detailed research and writing project description (maximum 4 pages).
• A statement of interest in law teaching and legal scholarship (maximum 4 pages), detailing teaching fields.
• Copies of all academic transcripts.
• Two letters of reference.

Application Timeline

The deadline to submit your application for the 2027-2028 fellowship cycle is October 1, 2026.

Selection Process

The selection committee evaluates applicants based on their demonstrated potential to succeed as a legal scholar and their commitment to law teaching. Preference is given to candidates with a vision for diversifying the legal academy.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official Harvard Law School Fellowship page.
2. Create a Harvard key if you are a non-Harvard applicant.
3. Log into the application portal using your account.
4. Complete all required fields and upload the requested documents.
5. Send recommendation requests to your chosen referees via the portal.
6. Submit the final application before the October 1, 2026 deadline.

Pakistan-Specific Application Advice

Ensure your law degree (J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D.) is properly documented. Since the selection is highly competitive and academic-focused, emphasize your publication potential and your specific teaching goals in your statement. Learn more about managing your documents for US applications.

Important Terms and Limitations

The fellowship tenure is strictly one year, from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028. You are required to reside in Cambridge and follow a research schedule agreed upon with the Lewis Committee.