Sabbatical Opportunities
The list below comprises selected long-term sabbatical fellowship opportunities. The Research Development team (RD team) in the FAS Office of Research Administration (FORA) is available to support FAS ladder faculty members with searches for sabbatical funding. Please contact Research Development to discuss your specific sabbatical project needs.
Jump to Sabbatical Opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What support or services does the FAS Office of Research Administration offer to faculty looking for sabbatical funding?
The RD team performs funding searches customized to individual sabbatical plans. Upon request, support for sabbatical planning may also include advice on strategies for preparing a competitive proposal and proposal content review for responsiveness to sponsor requirements.
Is sabbatical funding available for one semester or less?
Yes, some sponsors allow partial-year sabbatical programs. Other sponsors offer short-term fellowships that may be held for less than one semester. The opportunities listed here tend to be for long-term, residential sabbatical arrangements.
Are non-residential or Cambridge-based opportunities available?
Yes, you may be eligible to apply for local or flexible sabbatical opportunities. In some cases, opportunities for internal or Harvard-hosted fellowships may also align with sabbatical plans, for example, the Radcliffe Institute Fellowship at Harvard University. [Please visit the Internal funding page]
Are junior faculty eligible to apply for sabbatical funding?
Yes, some fellowships and sabbatical programs are designed to support early faculty members and their career development. Many highly competitive programs open their competitions to faculty at all levels, however, some sponsors offer opportunities that limit eligibility to within 3 – 8 years post terminal degree.
If I receive two or more sabbatical awards, what are my options?
Allowability of concurrent sabbatical awards highly depends on the sponsor’s terms of the award. In all cases, recipients are urged to consult with their apposite Department Chair and Divisional Dean to advise on optimal strategies for approaching this important decision. For clarification on what specific sponsors will allow, please contact research_development@fas.harvard.edu.
When should I start looking and applying for sabbatical funding?
Sabbatical funding opportunity deadlines are often scheduled at least a year before the award start date. Some sponsors open competitions even earlier to allow for sufficient review and notification periods. Applicants are encouraged to contact research_development@fas.harvard.edu as early as possible in the process to maximize their sabbatical options.
Last updated April 2026.