Harvard Law School has announced the 2027–2028 Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship, an opportunity designed for a recent law graduate who has demonstrated a strong interest in legal scholarship and is preparing for a career in law teaching.

The fellowship will begin on 1 July 2027 and run through 30 June 2028. The selected Lewis Fellow will receive an annual stipend of $60,000 and is expected to be in residence at Harvard Law School during the academic year.

The fellowship provides an opportunity for an aspiring legal academic to devote substantial time to research and writing while also engaging with courses and workshops at Harvard Law School.

Harvard Lewis Fellowship 2027–28: Key Details

About the Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship

The Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship is designed to support a recent law graduate who has a strong interest in legal scholarship and intends to pursue a career in law teaching.

During the fellowship year, the selected fellow will follow a research and work schedule agreed upon with the Lewis Committee.

A central component of the fellowship is scholarly writing. The Lewis Fellow is required to prepare at least one major article for publication during the fellowship.

This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to recent law graduates who are developing an academic research profile and considering a future career in legal academia.

$60,000 Annual Stipend

The selected Lewis Fellow will receive an annual stipend of $60,000.

The fellowship term will run for one year, from 1 July 2027 through 30 June 2028.

The fellow is expected to be in residence at Harvard Law School during the academic year, allowing the fellow to participate directly in the academic environment of the law school.

Opportunity for Aspiring Law Professors

The Lewis Fellowship is specifically aimed at candidates preparing for careers in law teaching.

Applicants are required to submit a statement explaining their interest in:

• Law teaching;
• Legal scholarship;
• The fields in which they expect to teach; and
• The fields in which they intend to pursue scholarly research.

The fellowship therefore provides an opportunity for recent law graduates to develop their academic interests while working on a substantial research and writing project.

Major Research Article

One of the principal requirements of the fellowship is that the selected fellow must prepare at least one major article for publication.

Applicants are required to submit a detailed description of the research and writing project they intend to undertake during the fellowship.

The project description must be no more than four pages and should explain the research and writing project that will be undertaken with a view toward publication.

Candidates should therefore have a clear scholarly research idea when applying.

Courses and Workshops at Harvard Law School

The Lewis Fellow will also have the opportunity to audit courses and attend workshops at Harvard Law School.

This provides the fellow with an opportunity to engage with the academic environment beyond their individual research project.

The fellowship is structured around research, writing and academic engagement, with the fellow’s schedule agreed upon with the Lewis Committee.

Eligibility

At the time of application, applicants must hold one of the following degrees:

• J.D.
• LL.M.
• S.J.D.

The fellowship is intended for a recent law graduate who has demonstrated a strong interest in legal scholarship and is preparing for a career in law teaching.

Applicants should ensure that they meet the basic qualifications before submitting their applications.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit the following materials:

1. Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

Applicants must provide a comprehensive résumé or CV outlining their academic and professional background.

2. Research and Writing Project

Applicants must submit a detailed description of the research and writing project they plan to undertake during the fellowship.

The description must be four pages maximum.

The project should be designed with a view toward producing work for publication.

3. Statement on Law Teaching and Scholarship

Applicants must submit a statement of four pages maximum explaining their interest in law teaching and legal scholarship.

The statement should also describe:

• The fields in which the applicant expects to teach; and
• The fields in which the applicant expects to pursue scholarship.

4. Academic Transcripts

Applicants must submit copies of all transcripts.

5. Two Letters of Reference

Applicants must provide two letters of reference addressing their potential for success as a legal scholar and law teacher.

The letters must be uploaded directly by the recommenders through the online application process.

Both letters must be submitted by the application deadline.

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit the application is:

Thursday, 1 October 2026

For an application to be considered complete, both the application and the two letters of reference must be submitted by the deadline.

Harvard Law School states that only complete applications will be considered.

Applicants should therefore allow sufficient time for their referees to upload their letters before the deadline.

About Reginald F. Lewis

The fellowship is made possible through a gift from Reginald F. Lewis, a Harvard Law School graduate from the Class of 1968, and his wife, Loida Nicolas-Lewis.

Shortly before his death in 1993, Lewis made what was then the largest grant in Harvard Law School’s history.

Harvard Law School’s International Law Center was renamed in his honor.

Lewis was the founding CEO of TLC Beatrice Foods International and was also the author of the book Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?

Who Should Consider Applying?

The fellowship may be particularly relevant to recent law graduates who are interested in building careers in:

• Legal academia;
• Law teaching;
• Legal research;
• Scholarly writing;
• International law;
• Constitutional law;
• Corporate and commercial law;
• Criminal law;
• Human rights law; or
• Other specialised areas of legal scholarship.

Applicants should have a clear interest in legal scholarship and law teaching and should be prepared to undertake a substantial research and writing project during the fellowship year.

Important Details at a Glance

Fellowship: Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship

Institution: Harvard Law School

Fellowship Year: 2027–2028

Duration: 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2028

Stipend: $60,000

Minimum Degree: J.D., LL.M. or S.J.D.

Research Requirement: At least one major article for publication

Residence: Harvard Law School during the academic year

Application Deadline: 1 October 2026

Letters Required: Two

How to Apply

Eligible candidates should prepare all the required application materials and submit their application through the official Harvard Law School fellowship application process.

Harvard Law School – Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship

Applicants should make sure that both recommendation letters are uploaded by the recommenders before the 1 October 2026 deadline.

Conclusion

The Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027–2028 offers a one-year opportunity at Harvard Law School for a recent law graduate preparing for a career in legal scholarship and law teaching.

The selected fellow will receive a $60,000 annual stipend, work on a major research and writing project intended for publication, and have opportunities to audit courses and attend workshops at Harvard Law School.

Candidates must hold a J.D., LL.M. or S.J.D. degree at the time of application and submit a CV, research proposal, statement on law teaching and scholarship, transcripts and two letters of reference.

The application deadline is 1 October 2026, and both the application and recommendation letters must be submitted by that date.