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Trustees For Harvard University

Annual Giving
$2.0M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M
Decision Time
4mo

Trustees For Harvard University

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately $2,000,000 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Approximately 16-18 weeks (notifications in March for November deadlines)
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $52,500 (depending on program type)
  • Geographic Focus: International (Washington, DC-based with programs in Greece and Cyprus)

Contact Details

Dumbarton Oaks

Center for Hellenic Studies

Main Organization

  • Trustees for Harvard University
  • Address: 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd Floor, Cambridge, MA 02138

Overview

The Trustees for Harvard University, established as a 501(c)(3) educational institution (EIN: 53-0199180), facilitates Harvard University's scientific, literary, and educational activities in Washington, DC. With assets exceeding $1.4 billion and annual revenue of approximately $66 million (2022), the organization operates two major research institutions: Dumbarton Oaks and the Center for Hellenic Studies. The organization earned a Four-Star rating (94%) from Charity Navigator, demonstrating robust financial oversight with a program expense ratio of 90.17%. The Trustees distribute approximately $2 million annually in grants and fellowships to external scholars worldwide, supporting research in Byzantine and Medieval humanities, Pre-Columbian studies, landscape architecture, and Hellenic studies through competitive fellowship and project grant programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Dumbarton Oaks Fellowship Programs:

  • Research Fellowships: $25,000 (Junior Fellows) or $35,000 (Fellows) for full academic year; prorated for semester appointments
  • Summer Fellowships: $300 per week for eight weeks (Byzantine and Pre-Columbian scholars)
  • One-Month Research Awards: Up to $5,000 (travel and lodging reimbursement or stipend)
  • Dumbarton Oaks Humanities Fellowships (Harvard seniors/recent graduates): $26,000 stipend plus $1,000 research allowance
  • Post-Baccalaureate Fellowships (Harvard College graduates): $34,000 stipend plus $1,000 research allowance
  • Tyler Fellowships: Two-year fellowships for Harvard graduate students in art history, archaeology, history, and literature

Dumbarton Oaks Project Grants:

  • Amount: $3,000 - $10,000
  • Purpose: Archaeological research, preservation of historic gardens, and recovery/recording of materials in Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and landscape architecture fields
  • Application: Rolling basis via online portal (November 1 deadline)

Center for Hellenic Studies Fellowship Programs:

  • Fellowships in Hellenic Studies (Washington, DC): Up to $25,000 for 16-week term or $52,500 for full year (adjusted for individual circumstances), plus housing and subsidized health insurance; additional research support up to $1,500
  • Early Career Fellowships (Greece and Cyprus): $12,000 stipend plus visits to CHS offices
  • Fellowship in Philhellenism: $12,000 for postdoctoral researchers
  • Summer Fellowships: Available for varying terms

Priority Areas

Dumbarton Oaks:

  • Byzantine and Medieval humanities scholarship
  • Pre-Columbian art and archaeology
  • Garden and landscape architecture history and preservation
  • Sites, landscapes, or objects in imminent danger (Pre-Columbian priority)
  • Small projects and start-up support for new initiatives (Byzantine priority)

Center for Hellenic Studies:

  • Ancient Greco-Roman world studies
  • Hellenic humanities research
  • Classical archaeology and history
  • Greek language and literature
  • Philhellenism studies

Key Focus: Both institutions serve approximately 71 fellows at Dumbarton Oaks and over 100 researchers annually at the Center for Hellenic Studies, with approximately 30 residential fellows at CHS.

What They Don't Fund

Dumbarton Oaks:

  • Current staff members or Senior Fellows committee members
  • Projects outside Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, and landscape architecture fields
  • Destructive investigation methods (for certain grant types)

Center for Hellenic Studies:

  • Research outside Hellenic and Classical studies
  • Applicants without PhD or equivalent by July 1 of the prior academic year

Governance and Leadership

The organization operates under the Trustees for Harvard University governance structure. Dumbarton Oaks maintains separate directors for Byzantine Studies, Pre-Columbian Studies, and Garden & Landscape Studies, along with Belknap Publishing (an academic press). The Center for Hellenic Studies operates with its own administrative structure.

The organization demonstrates strong financial stewardship, earning a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a 94% score and maintaining a high program expense ratio of 90.17%, indicating most resources directly support research and educational activities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Dumbarton Oaks:

Applications must be submitted electronically through the Embark online system (https://dumbarton.embark.com/) by November 1 annually. Applications must be written in English.

Required Materials:

  • Detailed research proposal (typically no more than 1,000 words)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation (submitted through Embark by November 1)
  • Transcripts (for Junior Fellowship applicants)
  • Sample of published or forthcoming work (for certain programs)

Center for Hellenic Studies:

Applications must be submitted electronically by November 15 (for 2026-27 fellowships, with reference letters due November 22).

Required Materials:

  • Research proposal (no more than 1,000 words)
  • Curriculum vitae documenting qualifications
  • Sample of published or forthcoming work (no more than 10,000 words; bibliographies and references excluded from word count)
  • Contact information for three academic referees (who will be contacted directly)
  • Applicants must confirm referee availability before submission
  • PhD or equivalent degree required by July 1 of the prior academic year

Contact: fellowships@chs.harvard.edu for questions

Decision Timeline

Dumbarton Oaks:

  • Application deadline: November 1
  • Decisions announced: By March
  • Awards decided by external committees of scholars

Center for Hellenic Studies:

  • Application deadline: November 15
  • Reference letters due: November 22
  • Notification: March 2 (for 2026-27 cycle)
  • Decision time: Approximately 16-18 weeks

Due to high application volume, neither institution provides individual feedback on unsuccessful applications.

Success Rates

Success rates and application statistics are not publicly disclosed by either Dumbarton Oaks or the Center for Hellenic Studies. Both institutions operate highly competitive fellowship programs supporting approximately 70-100+ scholars annually across all programs.

Reapplication Policy

Neither institution explicitly prohibits reapplication. Applicants are encouraged to strengthen their proposals and may reapply in subsequent cycles. The Center for Hellenic Studies does not permit multiple fellowship applications within a single application cycle.

Application Success Factors

From Dumbarton Oaks:

  • Use Sample Applications: Dumbarton Oaks provides sample applications from previously successful fellowship recipients on their website. These demonstrate how strong proposals are crafted, though each application should reflect unique project qualities.

  • Project Significance: Proposals should clearly explain the project's significance to the field and identify how it will "complement, expand or challenge prior research."

  • Alignment with Resources: Selection criteria emphasize "the project's relevance to the resources of Dumbarton Oaks" - applicants should demonstrate how Dumbarton Oaks' specialized library collections and research facilities are essential to their work.

  • Scholarly Preparation: Awards are based on "demonstrated scholarly ability and preparation of the candidate, including knowledge of requisite languages, interest and value of the study or project."

  • Priority Areas: For Pre-Columbian project grants, priority goes to sites, landscapes, or objects in imminent danger. For Byzantine project grants, priority is given to small projects, start-up support for new initiatives, or final completion phases.

  • Early Contact: Prospective applicants are encouraged to reach out via FellowshipPrograms@doaks.org "well in advance of the application deadline" with questions.

From Center for Hellenic Studies:

  • Clear Research Plans: The 1,000-word proposal limit requires concise, focused research plans that demonstrate scholarly rigor.

  • Strong References: Exactly three academic references are required - quality matters more than quantity.

  • Institutional Support: While stipends are "ordinarily dispersed directly to the individual scholar," the CHS can work with home institutions at the fellow's request.

  • Language Proficiency: Fellows must demonstrate competence in required ancient and modern languages for their research.

General Success Factors:

Both institutions emphasize that "every successful application is different" and encourage applicants to craft proposals reflecting their project's unique qualities rather than following rigid templates. External scholarly committees make final decisions, emphasizing peer recognition of research quality and significance.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Apply Early and Strategically: With November deadlines and March notifications, plan research timelines accordingly; contact fellowship offices months in advance with questions
  • Demonstrate Resource Alignment: Clearly articulate how Dumbarton Oaks' Byzantine, Pre-Columbian, or landscape collections, or CHS's Hellenic resources, are essential to your specific research
  • Study Sample Applications: Dumbarton Oaks provides actual successful applications online - review these to understand what competitive proposals look like while maintaining your unique voice
  • Emphasize Field Contribution: Both institutions prioritize research that advances scholarly understanding - explain how your work complements, expands, or challenges existing research
  • Highlight Urgency or Innovation: For Dumbarton Oaks, projects addressing materials in imminent danger (Pre-Columbian) or providing start-up support for new initiatives (Byzantine) receive priority consideration
  • Plan for Residential Fellowship Benefits: Both institutions offer housing, research support, and scholarly community - demonstrate how residential access enhances your research beyond remote library use
  • Non-US Citizens Welcome: International scholars may apply but must independently verify visa eligibility; both institutions maintain global scholarly networks

References

All sources accessed December 2025.

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