Harvard Programs

As a research institute affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University, Dumbarton Oaks cultivates strong ties through support of class visits and scholarly exchanges; faculty sabbaticals; and a variety of academic programs, including the Tyler and Dumbarton Oaks Humanities Fellowships, a Wintersession course, paid summer internships, and Bliss awards for travel to Dumbarton Oaks’ annual symposia.

Fellowships for Harvard Students

William R. Tyler Fellowships

Two-year Fellowships for graduate students in art history, archaeology, history, and literature of the Pre-Columbian/early Colonial or Mediterranean/Byzantine worlds; or in Garden and Landscape history. Applications are due November 1.

Dumbarton Oaks Humanities Fellowships

The Dumbarton Oaks Humanities Fellowships offer nine months of professional development at outstanding cultural institutions of Washington, DC, to graduating seniors and recent graduates of Harvard College. Apply by February 1.

Post-Baccalaureate Fellowships in the Humanities at Dumbarton Oaks

The Post-Baccalaureate Fellowships are for graduating seniors and recent Harvard College graduates who wish to develop and apply their research and professional skills while gaining experience, building a portfolio of successful projects, and contributing to the humanities. These fellowships emphasize the development of foundational and specific technical skills that enhance the career readiness and employability of liberal arts graduates.

Wintersession Course

This virtual weeklong course, “Cultural Philanthropy in the Museum Space,” introduces students to the history, contemporary influence, and key debates surrounding philanthropy, with a focus on the museum space. While exploring the impact of philanthropic giving on museums, the course also introduces students to future careers and the behind-the-scenes workings of cultural institutions. Apply by November 21.

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Summer Internships

The Dumbarton Oaks internship program stands out for offering Harvard students stimulating and fulfilling paid internships in the humanities. Harvard undergraduate and graduate students have worked on a variety of institutional projects, including textual editing, video production, excavation work, educational programming, preparing publications, and mounting exhibitions.

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Bliss Virtual Symposium Awards

The Bliss Virtual Symposium Awards are travel grants for students wishing to attend Dumbarton Oaks’ virtual symposia in Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, or Garden and Landscape Studies.

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“The symposium was also a good opportunity to connect with great scholars, professors, and students from different parts of the world. Furthermore, being able to visit the gardens, the museum, the library, and other facilities at Dumbarton Oaks was very enjoyable.”

—Juan David Grisales, MLA candidate, 2019, Harvard Graduate School of Design

Class Visits to Dumbarton Oaks

Dumbarton Oaks enthusiastically invites proposals for class visits by Harvard faculty and undergraduate and graduate students.

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“Thanks so much . . . for your time, interest, and generosity. This field trip made a crucial difference in the students' learning (not to speak of my own learning experience!). I knew it was going to be special, but I had not expected to see this quick transformation in them. They found out about so much while being relaxed about everything and genuinely enjoying it—the way learning should be.”

—Racha Kirakosian, Associate Professor of German and the Study of Religion, Harvard University

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