Managing the Atom

The Project on Managing the Atom offers fellowships for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral scholars, and mid-career professionals for one year, with a possibility for renewal, in the stimulating environment of the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at the Harvard Kennedy School. Post-doctoral scholars and junior faculty members may also apply for Stanton nuclear security fellowships at the Belfer Center. Applicants will be considered for both categories of fellowship. Those fellows working on topics related to nuclear weapons often receive fellowships that are shared between MTA and the International Security Program.

The MTA fellows program exposes participants to an interdisciplinary work environment—blending policy and technical concerns—and provides time and space to interact with an international cohort of colleagues, as well as with faculty, senior fellows, and visiting policy makers and other experts.

Areas of Research

MTA fellows are expected to pursue research with a nuclear policy focus.  Priority will be given to applicants pursuing research on:  

• Reducing the dangers posed by existing nuclear stockpiles, including (but not limited to) explorations of the future of nuclear arms control and the impact of emerging non-nuclear technologies on dangers of nuclear escalation;
• Halting the spread of nuclear weapons to additional states;
• Preventing, and preparing to respond to, nuclear and radiological terrorism, including next steps in ensuring effective security for nuclear stockpiles and facilities;
• Exploring the potential for nuclear energy to contribute to mitigating climate change, including how the obstacles to and risks of nuclear energy expansion can best be addressed and how the nuclear fuel cycle can best be managed.
• Strengthening regional and global cooperation and governance in managing nuclear technologies.

Scholars pursuing any of these issues in regional contexts, and scholars pursuing interdisciplinary approaches, are particularly encouraged to apply.  MTA is, by design, both an international and interdisciplinary research group, as the nuclear challenges the world faces cannot be resolved with insights from only one country or only one discipline.

Expectations

Fellows are generally expected to:

• Produce a substantial piece of work completed during the fellowship period
• Present their research at a seminar open to the public at least once during the fellowship period
• Attend seminars of other MTA research fellows
• Participate in MTA activities (meetings, communications efforts, etc.) as appropriate
• Regularly correspond with MTA staff and senior faculty about research progress and activities

Stipend Information

MTA offers ten-month stipends of $40,000 to pre-doctoral fellows and $50,000 to post-doctoral fellows. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding. All applicants should clearly indicate on their application form whether they are seeking full or partial funding, and indicate other potential funding sources. Non-stipendiary appointments are also offered, but the application process remains the same. Stipends come with health insurance and discounted MBTA passes, as well as shared office space and modest administrative support.