Henry Fellowships to Study at Harvard and Yale Universities 2022

Lady Julia Lewisohn Henry was part of a wealthy and philanthropic New York Jewish family. In 1892 she married the Australian-born, British politician and philanthropist Sir Charles Henry. Lady Julia was an active campaigner for child welfare and worked tirelessly towards the First World War’s relief effort. In 1916, in memory of her only son Cyril Henry, a soldier who died in Loos in 1915, Lady Julia founded a day and night nursery for the children of female munitions workers during the war. 

Following Lady Julia’s death in 1927, the Charles and Julia Henry Fund (the “Henry Fund”) was set up. It is governed by her will, dated 7 February 1927 and was established “in the earnest hope and desire of cementing bonds of friendship” between Britain and the United States of America. 

The Henry Fund provides Fellowships for students of British and Irish Universities (see Eligibility for more information) to attend Harvard or Yale Universities for a year as a Special or Visiting Student and for students of Harvard and Yale (see Eligibility for US students, on the Eligibility page) to attend Oxford or Cambridge Universities for one year.

Under Lady Julia’s Will, the Fund is administered by 12 Trustees, three appointed by each of these universities: Harvard University, Yale University, University of Oxford, University of Cambridge.

The Henry Fellowship is open to students of all nationalities and provides them with the opportunity to attend the Universities of Harvard or Yale as a Special or Visiting Student for the purpose of postgraduate study. The main criteria for candidates for the Fellowships:

Candidates must be:

• a full-time student at a *British or Irish University who has completed at least two years of full time undergraduate study by 1 January 2022

or

• a student in the first year of postgraduate study where not more than year has passed from the time of taking their first degree at the *qualifying University
   

Other criteria

Candidates must be able to provide evidence of a very high and sustained standard of academic achievement. The Trustees also attach importance to other attainments and personal qualities relevant to the Founder’s intentions and so candidates should be able to show their wider involvement within the social, cultural and community life of their university. They should also be able to provide examples of their leadership skills.

Candidates should state their reasons for wishing to study in the United States, their plans for the future and also demonstrate how they believe they can make a positive contribution to their community.

In essence, the Trustees will consider not only the Fellow’s mental ability but also their potential for full involvement in the intellectual, social and communal life of the host American university and how they intend to make their mark on public life.  

Eligible subjects

The choice of subject study to be undertaken by the Fellow can be regarded as unrestricted, provided the scheme of work meets with the approval of the Trustees and that of the American University. 

* Qualifying HEIs include all universities and equivalent higher education institutions with degree-awarding powers in the United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland.  

The application form

As part of the application, candidates are required to set out their proposed scheme of study or research to be carried out at the American University and submit the following:

• A copy of the personal details page of their passport
• Certification of their current student status
• Three written references.

Referees are required to comment on the candidate’s suitability based on their personal knowledge, referring to the candidate’s personality, specific interests and scholarly ability. The candidate’s capacity for leadership and ability to make a mark in public life should also be mentioned. Instructions for the referees are contained in the application form. Candidates should supply each referee with a copy of their application, as submitted, to assist them. You can find more information on the FAQ page. Henry Fellows are given an assured place at their American university as a Special or Visiting Student, therefore a separate application to that university is not required.  

​How to Apply

Candidates should apply in the following way

1. Read the Notes for Candidiates document in full (link below).
2. Complete the online application form located below and submit.  Ensure all relevant documents are attached.  Once submitted the Student Funding team will confirm receipt and email a copy of the completed form back to you for your records and to share with your referees.
3. Email the following to secretary@henry.fund.cam.ac.uk – Declaration of character form
4. Share the Notes for Referees’ and your application with your referees.  We will also need to receive their references directly by email by the 14 January deadline.

The deadline for receipt of all complete applications is 14 January 2022. Applications received after this date will not be considered. To access the application form – please click here. Although requirements vary, the application form is the same for all scholarships. 

Other Application Documents:

Notes for CandidatesDeclaration of Character FormNotes for Referees’Referees are asked to email their references separately to Jessica Barrick at hpcreferences@admin.cam.ac.ukEmailed references should have the file name of referree’s name and then word reference. 

Important dates 

• 1 November 2021: Applications for the Fellowships open – please ensure you give your referees sufficient time to complete their reference.  Speak to your referee before making your application to ensure they are fully aware of the time limits they have to work to. 
• 14 January 2022: Closing date for receipt of applications from candidates and referees’ reports from the referees directly.  Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.
• 3 February 2022: Short-listed candidates are invited for interview.
• 10 February 2022: Interviews of short-listed candidates  
   
• 17 February 2022: Candidates are notified of Trustees’ decisions.

The value of the fellowship

The Henry Fellowships consist of:• An assured place, as a Special or Visiting Student; • A maintenance grant – 2021-2022: $34,000 – payable in two instalments (1 September and 1 January);• Tuition fees for the course of study approved by the Trustees (billed directly to the Fund by Harvard/Yale);• Student health insurance (billed with the tuition fees as above);• A grant towards the cost of travel – 2021-2022: £2,500 – paid in GBP to the Fellow before they leave for the US (for transatlantic travel and travel within the US).   

Henry Fellowships for US students

Henry Fellowships are available to current Harvard and Yale students/graduates who wish to study at the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge. Nominations are made separately to the two universities on the authority of the Harvard and Yale Trustees, through the established Harvard or Yale selection process for postgraduate visiting awards. Further details are available from the respective US Universities:

• Harvard – https://uraf.harvard.edu/fellowships-international-students
• Yale –  https://funding.yale.edu/fellowships/uk-fellowships. 

Awards consist of the following:

• A maintenance grant (2021-2022: £23,300), payable in three instalments (1 September; 1 January; 1 April);
• University and college tuitions fees (at the Home/EU rate) for the course of study approved by the Trustees (billed directly to the Fund by the Colleges concerned);
• Travel grant (2021-2022: £2,500) for: transatlantic travel and travel within the UK 

Official website