The Harvard Animal Law & Policy Program’s fellowships provide opportunities for outstanding scholars and legal practitioners to undertake research, writing, and scholarly engagement on Animal Law & Policy projects that further our mission.

Fellows devote their time to scholarly activities in furtherance of their research agendas and contribute to the work of the Animal Law & Policy Program. Fellows will be expected to participate in Program activities, contribute to the intellectual life of the Program, and are encouraged to organize one or more academic events related to their fellowship project. Fellows also have the opportunity to mentor students, assist with the placement and supervision of students in experiential learning opportunities, and contribute to the Animal Law & Policy Program’s broader presence.

We specifically look for recent advanced degree graduates, junior academics, and mid-career practitioners who are committed to pursuing publishable research that will make a significant contribution in the area of animal law and policy. Applicants are evaluated by the quality and significance of their research proposals and their record of academic and professional achievement.

Visiting Fellowships

The Animal Law & Policy Visiting Fellowships provide opportunities for outstanding scholars from a range of disciplines and legal practitioners to spend from three months to one academic year undertaking research, writing, and scholarly engagement on academic projects in the field of animal law and policy.

Fellows devote their time to scholarly activities in furtherance of their research agendas and to contributing to the community of the Animal Law & Policy Program. Fellows will be expected to participate in Program activities, contribute to the intellectual life of the Program, and are encouraged to organize one or more academic events related to their fellowship project. Fellows also have the opportunity to mentor students and contribute to the Animal Law & Policy Program’s broader presence.

Fellows have access to a wide range of resources offered by Harvard University, are provided office space at HLS, and receive a monthly stipend in an amount consistent with other Fellowship programs at HLS.

We welcome applicants with a J.D., LL.M., S.J.D., Ph.D. or other comparable degree. We also welcome applicants from all disciplinary backgrounds, including the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, provided that the applicant’s research agenda relates to animal law and policy. For the 2024-25 academic year, we particularly are interested in establishing a cluster of Visiting Fellows working on topics at the intersection of animals, climate change, and sustainability. We also are interested in candidates seeking to create book-length publications on animal agriculture and factory farming.

Applicants will be evaluated by the quality and significance of their research proposals, and by their record of academic and professional achievement.

Please submit the following materials via the online application form by February 15, 2024:

  • a curriculum vitae
  • a recent publication or a writing sample (approximately 25 pages in length). All publications or writing samples should be in English.
  • a research statement, not to exceed 1000 words, that: 1) describes the proposed work during the fellowship period (the proposal should outline a specific research project that can be accomplished during the Fellow’s residence at Harvard Law School); and 2) sets forth a specific work output for the completed project (e.g., book, article, etc.).

You also will be asked to arrange for two letters of recommendation to be submitted directly by your referees via our online portal by February 15, 2024. Late applications will not be considered.

Here you can view a full list of past Fellows.

Additional Information

Funding and Facilities

Fellows will receive a stipend of up to $5,000 per month. The Animal Law & Policy Program also will pay the monthly Law School appointment fee for the duration of a Fellow’s stay at the Program, which will ensure, among other things, access to all Harvard University libraries, access to University recreational facilities (for a nominal fee), an email account at the Law School, membership in the Faculty Club, and free admission to University museums. Visiting Fellows will receive office space at the Animal Law & Policy Program, which may be shared with one or more Fellows.

Terms of Appointment

Fellowship terms are variable, from a minimum of three months to a maximum of one academic year.

Residence Requirements

With exceptions for a limited amount of personal and professional travel, Visiting Fellows are expected to be in residence at the Animal Law & Policy Program throughout the term of their appointment in order to foster an intellectual community, share ideas, and contribute to Program projects and events.

Housing

The Animal Law & Policy Program does not provide housing. No housing should be expected in University apartments or dormitory rooms, for which Harvard faculty and students have priority. Accepted fellows are encouraged to seek outside housing several months before arriving in Cambridge, preferably in person. There is information on housing on the Harvard International Office website.

Health Insurance

All Visiting Fellows must show proof of having adequate health insurance. Those who do not already possess such insurance can access information on obtaining Harvard Affiliate Health Insurance at the Harvard University Health Services website. A less expensive plan, available by the month, has been negotiated by Harvard’s International Office for international scholars.

Faculty Club

Fellows are allowed access to the Harvard Faculty Club. The Club serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday through Friday.

Activities

Fellows may take advantage of a wealth of cultural and academic extra-curricular offerings available to the Harvard community on a daily basis. Fellows should come prepared to share their professional experience and expertise, and will have opportunities to meet other scholars through functions organized by numerous groups and programs at Harvard Law School and other parts of the University.

Other Details

Fellows do not have faculty status. Appointment as a Fellow does not entitle the individual to participation in any Harvard degree program.

For any questions or for further information, please address queries to Ceallaigh Reddy, Animal Law & Policy Program Administrator, at [email protected] or +1.617.496.5145.

Clinic Fellowships

We currently are not taking applications for this Clinic Research Fellowship. The below is for informational purposes only.

The Animal Law & Policy Clinic Research Fellowship is a full-time, one-year Fellowship to perform research on recent developments in the field of animal law and policy (as well as relevant items in environmental law, food law, and administrative law) in order to further the mission of the Animal Law & Policy Program and Clinic.

The Fellowship provides an opportunity for motivated candidates to hone their research and writing skills by identifying and creating weekly summaries with detailed updates from federal and state case law, new and pending federal, state, and local legislative initiatives and enactments, federal regulatory actions, published scholarship, and news related to animal law. That research then is shared for use by other clinics, academic programs, and practitioners in the field as the Brooks Animal Law Digest.

Responsibilities additionally will include assisting the Animal Law & Policy Program and Clinic on other specific research questions and projects as needed.

The Fellowship will be conducted in residence at Harvard Law School and commence on September 1, each year. The Fellow is paid a salary commensurate with experience and receive HLS employee benefits.

Candidates must have a JD degree and recent law school graduates are especially encouraged to apply. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Research & Policy Fellowships

Current Research & Policy Fellowships

We currently are not taking applications for Research & Policy Fellows. Please sign up for our email list to be notified of any new fellowships as they are posted.

Previous Research & Policy Fellowships