Yerby Fellowship Program
Yerby Fellows work under the guidance of senior faculty at Harvard Chan School to develop research agendas, receive grant support, and pursue publication. They can also gain teaching experience and other professional development as they work toward entry-level positions in academia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yerby Fellows receive a competitive salary with benefits for one year, renewable for a second year upon completion of a successful review of the first year. In addition, the fellowship provides discretionary funding for research expenses and one-time relocation support.
No, the second year of the Yerby Fellowship is contingent on a successful first year in terms of grant and publication submissions and participation in other programmatic activities. Decisions to renew are made in consultation with your mentors, as well as the Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). Productivity in grant submission, publications, goal achievement as listed in the Individual Development Plan and other agreed upon areas by the mentor, fellow, and program administration are all considered in the decision to renew a fellow’s appointment.
Beyond salary and benefits, fellows are provided with exclusive programming organized by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). They are also able to take part in postdoctoral programming provided by the Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) and other resources provided to the School’s research fellow community.
Faculty openings are dependent on many factors, including departmental needs and budgets. A Yerby Fellow will be invited to apply for a faculty position if there is a research need/opening in a relevant department and field and they have reached a level of independence and productivity consistent with the specified rank. Faculty recruitment on the tenure-track at the Harvard Chan School does not prioritize internal candidates, although related grant-writing and team science experience are desirable characteristics for our faculty candidates.
The faculty mentor works closely with the fellow to offer suggestions on publication and grant development, progression of workflow via the Individual Development Plan, and offers advice on career trajectory.
Yes, there is supplemental discretionary funding provided with the Yerby Fellowship for attendance at academic conferences, software and equipment (computer) purchases, and more. These funds are provided on a reimbursement basis and all expenses must be approved by program administration.
Publication submissions vary depending on the department and research area and should be discussed with your mentor.
As a Yerby Fellow, you can heighten your writing, grant development, negotiation, and public speaking skills, as well as learn how to finesse partners for research collaboration and harbor cross-departmental relationships.
The Harvard Chan School typically welcomes between 2 and 4 new Yerby Fellows each year.
Mentoring and support are provided by a primary faculty mentor and program administrator, as well as a secondary faculty mentor. Additional support from the Office of Faculty Affairs and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is also provided.
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Absolutely. There are several venues: presenting a lecture, mentoring masters students, and presenting your research in a symposium forum format.
Faculty mentors are generally selected based on similar research interests and demonstrated experience mentoring other junior researchers.
The selection committee recommends making initial connections with faculty members prior to submitting your application.
Planning, hard work, dedication, and achievement in advancing research and professional development goals.
No, you do not have to have completed your doctoral degree at the time of application, however, you do need to have completed all degree requirements and defended your dissertation prior to the start of the fellowship.
If you intend to apply prior to completing your doctoral degree, the selection committee will request a letter from your advisor/dissertation advisor confirming that they anticipate all the requirements will be completed prior to the start of a fellowship.