Harvard University President Derek Bok established the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program in 1979 to address the needs of South Africans denied access to advanced education by the apartheid system. The creation of this program was a direct response to the strong movement by Harvard students and faculty during the divestment campaigns of the 1970s. The Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program continues to serve as an intellectual resource for talented South Africans, with the goal of providing a “transformational experience” at Harvard University during the fellowship year.
The program was established, and is still intended, for mid-career professionals educationally disadvantaged by past laws and resource allocations in South Africa. Today, HSAFP seeks to expand its reach to institutions and organizations across South Africa in a continued effort to draw the broadest possible range of candidates for the program. The program is open to all South Africans who qualify. Priority will be extended to mid-career applicants from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups, including applicants from rural areas outside urban centers. HSAFP seeks to expand its reach to institutions and organizations across South Africa in a continued effort to draw the broadest possible range of candidates for the program. In addition, the University – reflecting the current South African constitution – has expanded its applicant pool to extend to all South Africans, regardless of ethnicity or race. 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. 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.
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Fellowships are for up to one year of study in one of Harvard’s Professional Schools or Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, with tuition provided by the participating School. General administrative funds for program management, stipends, and airfare for the fellows are provided by the Office of the President and administered by the Center for African Studies under the directorship of Professor John Mugane. The recruitment and selection interviews for the HSAFP fellows take place annually with the support of the Center for African Studies’ Africa Office in Johannesburg.
Fellowships have been awarded to men and women with careers spanning education, law, public health, the arts and humanities, business and the private sector, and a host of other professions and disciplines. Through their presence in Harvard’s classrooms, seminars, research initiatives, and conferences, HSAFP fellows have introduced knowledge and perspectives to the Harvard campus, the significance of which goes well beyond numbers and publications. Upon their return to South Africa, many of the HSAFP fellows have gone on to play prominent roles in their nation and local communities while remaining engaged with the Harvard community in Cambridge, Africa, and beyond.
Fellows are selected because they have shown considerable skill in their chosen fields, and are expected to benefit from advanced training. Fellowships are for a year of study in one of Harvard’s Professional Schools or Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, with tuition waivers provided by the School once fellows are admitted. General administrative funds for program management, stipends, and airfare for the fellow are provided by the Office of the President, and administered by the Center for African Studies, under the directorship of Professor John Mugane. Since the Harvard South Africa Fellowship Program was established 40 years ago, more than 220 Fellows are counted among the alumni of the program, representing leadership positions in all aspects of South African society, including many professors and senior administrators at universities in South Africa, leaders in the private sector, and a host of South Africans committed to public service as officials in government and international organizations
Location:
United StatesBenefits
- Tution fees
- Round-trip airfare between the fellow’s home and Boston
- A monthly stipend which must also be used to pay for other expenses such as medical and dental insurance, medicines, taxes, food, winter clothing, books and supplies
Note: Fellows typically elect to stay in University graduate dormitories. Please note that housing costs in the Boston/Cambridge area are extremely high, and the stipend only covers bare necessities. Fellows are held personally responsible for the payment of all bills other than tuition fees and airfare. Please be advised that Harvard will require fellows to purchase American medical insurance. This insurance does not cover the range of services covered in South Africa. Separate insurance must be purchased for dental coverage. Charges for non-covered expenses and prescription drugs are very high. Fellowship funds do not allow for family support, whether or not family members join the fellow at Harvard.
Eligibilities
- Permanent residents as well as citizens of South Africa
- Fellows usually range from 30- to 45-years-old.
Application Process
- Complete the application on Qualtrics and upload required documents as prompted.
- Applicants must register to access the application. The registration is a one-time event with the application link sent to your inbox. Be advised that your application should be done on your regularly used computer to be able to save and return to your application. They strongly recommend that you use current generation browsers whenever possible. Applicants who do not meet minimum requirements for HSAFP will not be able to proceed to the application stage. Google Chrome is the preferred browser for this application.
- Application Language: English
- There are few instructions and details of the documents which are mentioned below –
- GENERAL INFORMATION
- Candidates will be asked to enter biographical information and contact details.
- Candidates will be asked to enter academic/leadership/professional honors and detail any work or study completed outside South Africa.
- EDUCATION HISTORY
- Candidates will be asked to enter their education history, including name and location of institution, dates of attendance and degree, and field of study.
- WORK HISTORY
- Candidates will be asked to enter their work history, including name and location of institution, phone number and website, position, and responsibilities.
- SHORT ANSWERS
- Each answer should not be more than 250 words. The system does not track word limits. Candidates are responsible for ensuring their answers are 250 words or less. Responses longer than 250 words will not be considered. We recommend drafting your short answer texts in a word processor (e.g. Microsoft Word, Google Docs) to confirm word limits before entering the text (copy and paste) into the online application.
- Questions:
- Ideal candidates for the HSAFP fellowship are those who seek to model ethical leadership, knowledge sharing and serve as a resource to improve and transform their communities and South Africa. Describe what ethical leadership means to you and why ethical leadership is important in the context of South Africa.
- Comment on a time when you have demonstrated ethical leadership.
- Describe a time in which you have demonstrated resilience in your education or professional life.
- Describe your motivation and rationale for applying to this Fellowship.
- Describe your financial need for the program.
UPLOADS
CURRICULUM VITAE
- Upload a copy of your most recent CV.
TRANSCRIPTS
- Upload transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended. Transcripts must show the grades and course titles for all your post-secondary coursework. DO NOT upload copies of diplomas/certificates.
WRITING SAMPLES
- An academic essay and a personal statement must be submitted.
- Personal Statement: Tell us about yourself – in particular, your background, your academic and career trajectory, and why you wish to pursue this program of your choice at Harvard University. Candidates may consider the following questions in preparing their Personal Statement: Where do you come from, and what is your background? What are some of the major inflection points in your life that have shaped who you are? Have you had to overcome disadvantages or hardships? What accomplishments and achievements are you most proud of? What do you strive for, personally, professionally, and in your community? What work do you do in your wider community, and how will you contribute to community development when you get back? Personal statements should demonstrate that the candidate has researched the program to which they are applying and understand how the program will advance their career goals. Maximum 1000 words.
- Academic Essay: Candidates are asked to submit an academic essay reflective of innovative ideas that propose solutions to issues facing contemporary South Africa in your field of interest. Include references cited. References do not count towards the word limit. Successful candidates typically provide an essay that explores an opportunity or challenge facing South Africa, engaging with the relevant literature in their field to propose a theoretical framework or strategy to address this issue. Essays should not read as an op-ed or opinion piece. Maximum 2000 words. Applicants seeking admission into the Special Student or Visiting Fellow GSAS Programs should use this academic essay to describe their research and attach a description of their relevant coursework. Applicants seeking admission to the HSPH MPH program should tell us about a public health problem or challenge that you seek to address as part of your studies in the program and/or upon completion of your MPH degree program. Applicants to the HLS program should provide a cogent legal essay that describes either an important issue in your field of interest or a current legal problem facing a particular country, region, or the world, and then propose a theoretical framework or a legal analysis or strategy to address this issue.
- The Academic Essay and the Personal Statement should be typed in a standard font and font size (10 to 12 point). Essays should also be double-spaced.
- Include your full name on the top of each page and your signature at the end of the Academic Essay and the Personal Statement.
LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
- Two letters of recommendation must be submitted by recommenders through Qualtrics. You will be required to enter the names, affiliations, and contact details of your referees. After you submit your application, referees will receive an e-mail to the address provided to submit their letters of recommendation. Note that recommenders will only receive a prompt email once you submit your application. Reach out to your recommenders and notify them as soon as you decide to apply and notify them once you submit your application. Please confirm with your recommenders that they have received this communication. Alternatively, recommenders can e-mail the letters directly to Nthatisi Quella, Africa Office Director. All emailed letters should contain HSAFP Recommendation and full name of applicant in the subject line.
- Letters should be written by people who know you well or by people whom you have worked in a professional capacity—not family or friends. Applicants for programs at HSPH, HKS, and HLS are strongly encouraged to include at least one reference from a professor or faculty member who is familiar with your academic work. Applicants seeking admission into an Executive Education program should include a reference from a current employer. Applicants seeking admission into the GSAS programs should include a letter from their supervising professor or dean.
- Make sure you provide plenty of time for your references to write your letters. Ask them in advance so that they review all instructions, including the deadline (April 30, 2022), on the website before completing their letter. Please ensure the e-mail address of your recommender is correct. After submitting your application, a RECOMMENDATION FORM AND LETTER will be sent as a link to your reference for submission of your letter of recommendation.
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Application Deadline: April 30, 2022
Application ClosedOfficial link
