Jacyk Distinguished Fellowships

The Jacyk Distinguished Fellowship is granted to senior scholars to support significant, innovative research on topics pertaining to Ukraine. Jacyk Distinguished Fellows are leading scholars in their fields. This fellowship is designed to bring distinguished scholars to Harvard University for one academic term of focused, independent research in Ukrainian studies. Fellows enjoy access to Harvard's vast research resources and vibrant intellectual environment. In addition, the Jacyk Distinguished Fellow will preside over the Petro Jacyk Seminar in Ukrainian Studies, a forum presented as part of the HURI Seminar Series in Ukrainian Studies. 

HURI offers three types of visiting research fellowships:

Scholars may apply for up to two fellowships each cycle but must submit separate applications for each.

Questions may be addressed to the HURI Programs Coordinator, Megan K. Duncan Smith, at duncansmith@fas.harvard.edu

The application deadline for Academic Year 2024-2025 is: February 1, 2024

apply here

Benefits

The fellowship provides a stipend of $6,000 per month to cover the cost of housing and other living expenses, less applicable US taxes and paid monthly beginning at the end of the first month in residence. 

HURI will provide direct, roundtrip air or rail travel to Boston. Travel must be booked by HURI directly. 

The fellowship provides digital and in-person access to Harvard's vast libraries, archival materials, and resources. 

Fellows will pursue their proposed independent research project within the vibrant intellectual environment at Harvard. Fellows are expected to participate actively in the Institute's events and community. 

Duration

4-5 months, full-time, in residence at Harvard for one academic term (fall or spring) beginning on either September 1st or February 1st. 

In cooperation with our colleagues at the Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin and other partner institutes, HURI is pleased to offer one VUIAS Fellowship, to be hosted by the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University for 8-9 months funded jointly by HURI and VUIAS. The Virtual Ukraine Institute for Advanced Study (VUIAS) currently offers fellowships in Ukraine and abroad. Both types of fellowships are reserved for scholars who have Ukrainian citizenship. During the Academic Year 2024-2025, all VUIAS Fellows will be obliged to engage in interdisciplinary exchange with their cohort through regular participation in the VUIAS colloquium and other events. All scholars who are awarded fellowships by HURI and who are Ukrainian citizens, are eligible for the VUIAS Fellowship at HURI, which would result in an additional 4 months of stipend and residency at Harvard. No separate application to VUIAS is necessary. However, any scholar who wishes to apply for a VUIAS Fellowship in Ukraine, must apply directly to VUIAS (due January 31st).

Eligibility

Fellowships from the Ukrainian Research Institute support significant, innovative, independent research on topics pertaining to Ukrainian history, culture, and society while in residence at Harvard University.

Applicants must hold a PhD degree or equivalent (Candidate of Sciences, кандидат наук) in the humanities and social sciences.

This fellowship is awarded to senior scholars who have made significant contributions to their field and to Ukrainian studies. Successful applicants typically are full-professors with tenure at their home institute and/or have earned a post-doctoral degree (Doctor of Sciences, доктор наук, Habilitation).

Scholars who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing knowledge of Ukraine through teaching, research, and publication are encouraged to apply.

Citizens of all countries are welcome.

Applicants must be eligible to receive and maintain a short-term J-1 visa to carry out research in residence at Harvard supported by a fellowship from HURI. More information can be found at http://www.hio.harvard.edu/j-scholar-visa. Please also note the two-year national residency requirements, which may apply to you if you recently held a long-term J-1 visa.

Harvard is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, military service, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or other protected status.

Application Instructions

  • Applications for Academic Year 2024-2025 are due by: February 1, 2024
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 
  • With the exception of your writing sample, all application materials must be in English.
  • Fellowship applications consist of the following parts, all of which must be submited online:

apply here

Required Documents

Short Bio Paragraph

Professional biographical text, written in the third person, including current academic affiliation, advanced education, and significant scholarly achievements. 200-300 words (Note: Upload under "Other")

Research Proposal

Detailed description of your proposed fellowship research, 4-8 pages, double-spaced

Curriculum Vitae

*Note: Because the Jacyk Distinguished Fellowship is intended for scholars who are well-known and widely respected, the application does not require submitting a writing sample or letters of recommendation. 

Supplemental Questions

  1. Do you currently hold a PhD degree or equivalent (Candidate of Sciences, кандидат наук)? YES / NO
  2. When (month and year) was your doctoral degree granted or expected to be granted? Which University granted your PhD degree and in which academic field was your PhD granted?
  3. Please provide the title of your PhD dissertation and the name of your primary PhD advisor.
  4. Do you currently hold a post-doctoral degree (Doctor of Sciences, доктор наук, Habilitation)? YES / NO
  5. If applicable, when was your post-doctoral degree granted? Which institution granted your PhD degree and in which academic field? What was the title of your post-doctoral project?
  6. Please provide your current title/position and employer.
  7. What is the title of your proposed fellowship research project?
  8. Please provide an abstract or short summary of your proposed fellowship research project. 200-300 words
  9. Please provide a short description of your fellowship research plan, why you want to come to Harvard, and your goals for the fellowship period (ex. monograph project, specific archival collections on campus, etc). 200-300 words
  10. Fellows are required to be proficient in English. Non-US citizens, if accepted, will be asked to supply proof of English proficiency through documentation or interview. Are you proficient in English? YES / NO
  11. Please list all languages in which you are able to conduct scholarly research, indicating reading/writing/speaking/listening proficiencies.
  12. Please indicate all other sources of income for the fellowship academic year. (ex. salary from home institution while on leave)
  13. Please provide a list of all other fellowships and positions to which you have applied or will apply for the fellowship academic year.
  14. HURI is pleased to offer one VUIAS Fellowship, to be hosted at the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University for 8-9 months and funded jointly by HURI and VUIAS (https://vuias.org/). The Virtual Ukraine Institute for Advanced Study (VUIAS) fellowships are reserved for scholars who have Ukrainian citizenship. If applicable, would you like to be considered for a VUIAS Fellowship Abroad? YES / NO

Deadline: February 1, 2024

The Jacyk fellowship is funded through a gift to the Institute by the Petro Jacyk Educational Foundation in Ontario, Canada. Mr. Petro Jacyk, a prominent Canadian businessman who passed away in November 2001, was one of the Institute's most generous benefactors. In addition to his gift to establish the fellowship program, he endowed the position of the Petro Jacyk Bibliographer in Ukrainian Studies at the library of the Ukrainian Research Institute.