Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027

Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027 in the USA at Harvard Law School

The Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027 offers an excellent opportunity for recent law graduates who want to build a career in legal scholarship and law teaching. Hosted by Harvard Law School (HLS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the one-year fellowship provides an annual stipend of $60,000 and dedicated time for research and academic writing.

For the 2027–2028 fellowship year, the program will begin on July 1, 2027, and continue through June 30, 2028. Applicants must submit their complete application, including both reference letters, by October 1, 2026.

What is the Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship?

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

During the fellowship, the selected Fellow will focus on producing at least one major article for publication. The Fellow can also audit courses and participate in workshops at Harvard Law School while following a research and work schedule developed in consultation with the Lewis Committee.

The fellowship was established through support associated with Reginald F. Lewis and his wife, Loida Nicolas-Lewis. Reginald F. Lewis graduated from Harvard Law School in 1968 and later became a prominent business leader. The fellowship continues his legacy by supporting future law teachers and legal scholars.

Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027 – Quick Details

Feature	Details
Fellowship Name	Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027
Host Institution	Harvard Law School
Location	Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Fellowship Type	Law Teaching / Legal Scholarship
Study Level	Recent Law Graduates
Duration	1 Year
Fellowship Period	July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028
Financial Support	$60,000 Annual Stipend
Application Deadline	October 1, 2026
Residence	Harvard Law School
Degree Requirement	J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D.

The official Harvard Law School announcement confirms the $60,000 annual stipend and the one-year fellowship period.

Benefits of the Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027

Selected candidates will receive several valuable academic and professional benefits, including:

$60,000 annual stipend for the fellowship year.
One year of dedicated time for legal research and scholarly writing.
Opportunity to prepare a major article for publication.
Ability to audit courses at Harvard Law School.
Access to Harvard Law School workshops and its academic environment.
Opportunity to work within a leading legal research institution.
Professional exposure for candidates preparing for careers in legal education.
A Harvard Law School fellowship affiliation during the fellowship year.

The fellowship is primarily designed as a research and writing opportunity. Harvard does not list a separate housing, relocation, or travel allowance on the official fellowship page, so applicants should not assume that these costs are covered separately.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027 should meet the following requirements:

Applicants must hold a J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D. degree at the time of application.
The fellowship is intended for recent law graduates.
Candidates should have a demonstrated interest in legal scholarship.
Applicants should be preparing for a career in law teaching.
Candidates must be able to conduct their fellowship work in residence at Harvard Law School during the academic year.
Applicants must be prepared to undertake a substantial research and writing project.
The selected Fellow is required to prepare at least one major article for publication.
A complete application, including both reference letters, must be submitted by the deadline.

Harvard's official page does not state a specific GPA requirement or a separate citizenship restriction. International applicants with qualifying J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D. degrees should carefully review their eligibility and contact Harvard Law School regarding immigration or work-authorization questions before applying.

Required Documents

Applicants are required to prepare the following materials:

1. Curriculum Vitae or Résumé

A comprehensive CV or résumé highlighting academic achievements, research experience, publications, legal work, and other relevant accomplishments.

2. Research and Writing Project Description

Applicants must provide a detailed description of the research and writing project they plan to undertake during the fellowship. This document must be no more than four pages.

3. Statement on Law Teaching and Legal Scholarship

A separate statement of up to four pages explaining the applicant's interest in law teaching and legal scholarship. Applicants should also identify the areas of law in which they expect to teach and conduct research.

4. Academic Transcripts

Copies of transcripts from the applicant's law degree programs must be submitted.

5. Two Letters of Reference

Two reference letters should address the applicant's potential to succeed as a legal scholar and law teacher. Importantly, both letters must be submitted by the October 1, 2026 deadline.

How to Apply for the Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027?

Interested candidates can apply online through the Harvard Law School fellowship application system. Applicants should follow these steps:

Confirm that you hold a J.D., LL.M., or S.J.D. degree.
Develop a focused and publishable legal research project.
Prepare the research and writing project description within the four-page limit.
Write a separate statement explaining your interest in law teaching and legal scholarship.
Prepare your CV and academic transcripts.
Request two strong reference letters from individuals familiar with your academic or scholarly abilities.
Ensure that both referees submit their letters through the application system.
Submit the complete application before October 1, 2026.

Harvard Law School states that only complete applications will be considered, meaning the two reference letters must also arrive by the application deadline.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027 is:

October 1, 2026

Both the application and the two letters of reference must be submitted by this date. The fellowship itself will run from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028.

Fellowship Timeline

October 1, 2026: Application deadline
Late 2026–Early 2027: Application review and selection
Spring 2027: Fellowship planning and research schedule
July 1, 2027: Fellowship begins
July 2027–June 2028: Research, writing, course auditing, and workshops
June 30, 2028: Fellowship concludes

Why Apply for the Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship?

The fellowship is particularly valuable for law graduates who want to enter academia. Instead of combining research with a regular full-time job, the Fellow receives a dedicated year to develop a substantial scholarly publication.

Being based at Harvard Law School also provides exposure to an active legal research environment, with opportunities to audit courses and participate in academic workshops. The experience can strengthen an aspiring law professor's scholarly profile and help develop a publication record.

However, applicants should understand that the fellowship does not automatically provide a Harvard faculty position or guarantee a law teaching job after completion. Its main purpose is to provide research time and an academic environment for prospective law teachers.

Final Thoughts

The Reginald F. Lewis Fellowship 2027 is a highly valuable opportunity for recent law graduates interested in legal scholarship and academic careers. With a $60,000 annual stipend, a full year of research and writing time, and access to Harvard Law School's academic environment, the fellowship can provide an important foundation for a future career in law teaching.

Candidates should begin preparing their research proposal, teaching statement, transcripts, CV, and recommendation letters well before the deadline. Since both reference letters must be received by October 1, 2026, applicants should coordinate with their referees early. Apply Now