Herchel Smith Harvard Scholarship (Postgraduate Fellowship in the Sciences)

Applicants must be Harvard College graduating seniors or alumni who have received their bachelor’s degree within the previous two years. 

Students of high academic ability (typically demonstrated by A- or better average) who intend to pursue the fields of mathematics, natural sciences, physical sciences, or applied sciences at a graduate level are eligible. 

Details on the courses in these fields are available in the University of Cambridge’s online Guide to Courses. The range of subjects available in the Natural Sciences Tripos is notably broad.

Five or more fellowships may be awarded each year.  Each fellowship pays all fees, tuition, and lodging for one year (Michaelmas, Lent, and Easter Terms), as well as a stipend to cover additional expenses and transportation. Fellowships may be renewed for two subsequent years, assuming satisfactory academic progress toward a PhD in the same field and approval by the selection committee.

Candidates should have identified appropriate and suitable courses of study at the time of application, although some fine-tuning may be allowed upon arrival in Cambridge.  In some cases, proceeding to a doctorate will only be allowed after a satisfactory first year of study.

Applications will be evaluated on the strength of the following components:

• Proposed academic plan (sensibility for place/time, meaningfulness to the applicant, impact on/benefit to the applicant)
• Academic excellence and preparation (prerequisite knowledge, skills; recognized intellect and academic excellence)
• Two letters of recommendation (evidence of applicant’s capability, character)
  • At least one letter must be from the student’s graduate field of interest or related science field

Timeline for Award Notification

Applicants should expect to hear about the outcome of their applications within the final weeks of February. 

URAF strongly encourages Herchel Smith Harvard Scholarship applicants to submit their academic program applications to the University of Cambridge by December 31 or earlier, depending on program deadline. 

Candidates should have, by late January, submitted applications to graduate courses of study; these applications should be under review. 

The full dispensation of this award is contingent upon candidates receiving admission into the graduate course of study they have proposed to the Herchel Smith Harvard Scholarship Committee. Failure to be admitted to the proposed graduate course of study at Cambridge automatically forfeits the offer of the award.

Applicants should carefully read the full application instructions, manage their time and preparation accordingly, and adhere strictly to the formatting instructions and deadline. 

All materials must be submitted to the Harvard University Funding Portal (HUFP). Either use the direct application link below, or navigate to the opportunity by selecting "Harvard College (students only)" and navigating to "Herchel Smith Harvard Scholarship - Postgraduate Fellowship in the Sciences."

Prepare the following components in PDF format and upload to the HUFP:

• Unofficial Transcript
  • Download your transcript from my.harvard. The file should not be password protected.  
• One page resume
  •  Indicate activities, achievements, and experiences in college that demonstrate your interests and potential achievements. Do not exceed one page. 
• Statements
  • Plan of Study (1,000 word maximum): Describe your planned study at Cambridge and your preparation to pursue this course of study. Discuss how these plans relate to your career and personal goals. Your essay should also address the special suitability of Cambridge for these plans.
  • Narrative Transcript (200 word maximum): Reflecting on your academic journey, how do your course selections demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, pursuit of rigor, and preparation for advanced study in the sciences? 
• Two academic recommendation letters
  • These letters should be requested through HUFP at least 3 weeks ahead of the application deadline
  • Letters should comment on the suitability of your proposed study plan, your preparedness to undertake this graduate course of study (with evidence), and relevant attributes and accomplishments that speak to your potential success in the proposed graduate study. 
  • Letters should comment on the relevance and appropriateness of the proposed study plan to your academic and intellectual goals. 
  • At least one letter should be from an instructor in your current or proposed field.

Application Timeline

Before applying to the Herchel Smith Postgraduate Fellowship, applicants must submit proof to URAF that they have submitted or started a separate application to graduate study at the University of Cambridge.

This proof should confirm:

• The name of the University of Cambridge graduate program for which the applicant is seeking support;
• The applicant's full admissions academic program application, including letters to the University of Cambridge, by the University's funding deadline (early January)

Application Tips

• Research Cambridge’s graduate degree programs and understand their basic requirements. Talk about the one program that is right for you.
• Mention your specific learning goals, including research interests (if the degree has a research component). Draw a clear connection between your academic and professional goals and interests and the degree program for which you are applying.
• On your resume, only include activities relevant to the pursuit of a graduate degree. Tailor your resume to the opportunity and highlight the significant experiences, accomplishments, and skills that demonstrate your preparedness for study at the University of Cambridge.
• Herchel Smith applications without proof of having started or completed the graduate application process risk not being reviewed.
• Apply early, as funding and admission decisions start coming out in early Spring (February and March).  
• Review the University of Cambridge postgraduate admission and offer timeline, as well as the related information for your specific course of study.