Frequently Asked Questions
Questions are grouped by topic areas including Selection Factors, Application and Review Process, and Logistics. The answers shared below pertain to fellowships that are part of our annual call for fellowship applications.
Selection Factors
I’m not sure which workstream I should select. What would you advise?
We encourage you to use your best judgement in applying for a specific workstream, and we regret that we are unable to answer specific questions on which workstream may be best suited for any applicant’s work. Applications may be referred by the review team for a different workstream based on the materials shared.
What criteria are used to select fellows through the open call?
We are interested in candidates who are taking novel and unique approaches to the work the Center is examining in its six workstreams. We encourage applicants to focus their applications on sharing their ambitions, as well as achievements that are relevant to them—ie, an academic might reference their numerous publications, while an industry expert might highlight their experience building technology tools. We also look for critical behavioral traits that are highly relevant to being successful at the Berkman Klein Center: collegiality, curiosity, intellectual rigor, adaptability, and a strong commitment to the public interest.
What can I do to increase the chances of success for my fellowship application?
We encourage all candidates to develop a strong application that reflects why you are interested in the fellows program, what you will do if given the opportunity, and how this aligns with both your work and the Berkman Klein Center's workstreams.
How does next year’s fellowship program workstream model vary from the program design of previous years?
This is a new model for the Center. We are designing next year’s open call for fellowship applications to align with specific topical workstreams that are of key interest to the Center. Fellows will be connected to specific topical workstreams and partner closely with other fellows, faculty, and staff on those topics. They also will have opportunities to engage with other fellows and explore other topics at the Center.
I’m professionally in between the different fellowship tracks. Am I eligible?
In the coming year, we are designing this program for people whose profiles align with one of the three tracks listed. If this doesn’t feel like the appropriate fit for you, please consider applying for other opportunities at the Center when we announce them.
I am a student; are there opportunities for students to be fellows?
Students are not eligible for fellowships through this year’s open call for applications. Other types of opportunities will be available for students in the coming year; to learn about them please subscribe to our newsletter, The Buzz, to be notified when they become available: https://cyber.harvard.edu/getinvolved.
How many fellows are selected each year through the open call?
We determine the size of the cohort in any given year based on a combination of applicant characteristics, our capacity to support fellows, and the Berkman Klein Center’s needs. Of course, the composition will change over the course of time, as opportunities for project fellowships arise based on new research activities.
Will the Center host fellows who are not part of the workstreams in 2025-26?
The Center may host fellows who are not directly tied to the workstreams listed in our 2025-2026 open call for fellowship applications, and may recruit or select those fellows through different means than our annual open call. Any additional fellowship opportunities will describe the contours of that specific role as part of the recruitment, selection, and appointment process.
To be notified of additional fellowship opportunities, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter, The Buzz: https://cyber.harvard.edu/getinvolved.
Logistics
Can I do this fellowship remotely?
No. This fellowship is exclusively local to campus; we expect fellows to live in the Cambridge area from September 2025 through May 2026. It is the responsibility of each fellow to plan for and arrange their stay in Cambridge for that time.
I cannot come for a full year – am I still eligible?
This fellowship is designed for people who will be in residence for the year. We occasionally offer short-term fellowships through specific projects; these will be posted on our website when they open. We encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter, The Buzz, to be notified when these are available: https://cyber.harvard.edu/getinvolved
I see the Berkman Klein Center has faculty associates and affiliates. If I can't do a fellowship, may I be considered for one of these roles?
Faculty associates and affiliates are appointed by invitation from senior staff and faculty directors; there are no independent application processes for these categories of affiliation. These roles include people from a range of backgrounds and experiences and are based around common agendas and aspirations. We may consider a fellowship applicant for one of these roles based on ideas, goals, and opportunities that are communicated through the application process.
Are fellowships employee positions?
These fellowships are intended to be non-employee roles. If there is an opportunity to develop an employee position based on a match of relevance and need, we would explore that specifically with the candidate and the leaders of the work; employee positions carry different responsibilities and benefits.
May I have a concurrent fellowship with a different Harvard group while holding a Berkman Klein fellowship?
Yes, so long as your other fellowship provides enough flexibility for you to engage fully in Berkman Klein Center fellowship activities.
Will the Berkman Klein Center write a letter of support for my Fulbright/grant/etc. application before I am selected as a Berkman Klein fellow?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate requests to write preliminary letters of support for grant or other scholarship applications.
Application and Review Process
How does my funding selection affect the review of my application?
We review both pools of candidates separately. We extend offers based on a number of factors, including funding requirements. We encourage all applicants to be clear about their funding requirements and/or status so we can accommodate when/if possible.
Regardless of funding, we expect to welcome a smaller cohort of fellows for the 2025-26 academic year (in the past, the sizes of our cohorts have varied considerably and numbered up to 30+ fellows). This is due to the Center's strategic change in focus on workstreams led by faculty, rather than on fellows-driven projects and research.
How should I package my work samples in my application?
The work samples should be 1-3 assets intended for a public audience, such as articles, op-eds, events, etc. Ideally, these should demonstrate a strong connection to the topic of the workstream, as well as the nature of the work you would want to pursue within the workstream. Please submit these samples as one combined PDF file.
Who reviews applications during the open call review?
Berkman Klein Center senior staff and faculty directors review applications; our faculty make final decisions about fellowship appointments. Other members of the Berkman Klein community may be consulted in the course of the review process based on their knowledge or expertise related to specific applications.
When are chosen fellows notified?
We expect to review applications, conduct interviews, and send offers on a rolling basis, and endeavor to finalize our selection process by mid-June 2025. Finalists will be asked to indicate acceptance or regret of their invitation within two weeks of receiving their invitation letter.
Will I receive updates on the status of my application before final decisions are made?
Due to the large number of applications we receive and the dynamic nature of the review process, we are unable to give updates or answer questions about the status of specific applications during the course of our review.
Can I edit my application materials BEFORE the application deadline?
To edit your submitted application before the application deadline, click on the “My Job Applications” tab within the system, then click on the "edit" link near the right side of the page. You can edit your custom field answers, or upload new versions of your resume or cover letter and delete previous versions. Click the “Submit Application” button to save any changes.
Can I edit my application or send updated materials AFTER the application deadline?
You cannot edit your submitted application after the deadline, and we will not accept updated materials via email. We will review the materials that were submitted via the app tracker before the deadline.
Still have questions?
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please feel free to contact us at bkc.community@cyber.harvard.edu. Please note that we are unable to respond to questions on application status, requests to connect or work with faculty, and requests to receive an affiliate or faculty associate appointment.
