Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 Loeb Fellowship at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design (GSD). This prestigious, fully funded residential program brings together mid-career professionals from around the world who are committed to improving the built and natural environment through leadership, innovation, and community impact.
Founded in 1970 by John L. Loeb, the Fellowship offers a transformative year of reflection, renewal, and learning at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Fellows engage with world-class scholars, practitioners, and policymakers while charting new directions for their professional and personal growth.
Who Should Apply
The Loeb Fellowship seeks mid-career professionals with 5–10 years of experience who are already making significant contributions in their fields. Eligible applicants include urban designers, architects, landscape architects, journalists, developers, policymakers, community advocates, public artists, and civic leaders—in short, anyone whose work is shaping the places where people live, work, and play.
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Applicants should possess strong leadership potential, a proven record of achievement, and a desire to expand their capacity to effect change. The program is designed for practitioners rather than academics, meaning it is not an academic sabbatical or artist residency. Instead, the Loeb Fellowship provides professionals the rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and redefine their purpose while immersed in the dynamic intellectual environment of Harvard.
Program Experience
During the fellowship year, typically beginning in mid-August, Fellows take part in weekly seminars, discussions, and field studies that foster interdisciplinary learning. Each Fellow also designs an individual work plan tailored to their interests, drawing on Harvard’s vast academic resources and networks.
Participants audit courses across Harvard and MIT, attend lectures, and engage with faculty and students at the Graduate School of Design. The program’s structure encourages collaboration among Fellows from diverse disciplines, resulting in cross-sector innovations that extend far beyond the classroom.
At the end of the fellowship, participants join an influential global network of over 450 alumni—leaders who continue to shape cities, policies, and communities across the globe.
Application Details
Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are open until January 5, 2026. The process is entirely online via SlideRoom, and no application fee is required. Applicants must submit:
- A completed online application form
- A professional résumé
- Three letters of recommendation from colleagues, clients, or collaborators
- Optional portfolio or supplemental materials (articles, videos, or project visuals)
International applicants are welcome and, if selected, will apply for J-1 visas to participate in the program.
The Loeb/ArtLab Fellowship
Applicants with an artistic practice may also indicate interest in the Loeb/ArtLab Fellowship, a joint initiative that provides selected Fellows with studio space and resources through Harvard’s ArtLab community.
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A Lifelong Impact
Beyond its academic year, the Loeb Fellowship fosters enduring professional connections and mentorship through its alumni network. Fellows emerge with renewed vision, stronger leadership skills, and a deeper commitment to shaping a more equitable, sustainable world.
Application Deadline: January 5, 2026
Official Application Link: Apply for the Harvard Loeb Fellowship 2026–2027
