Edmond J. Safra Foundation Center for Ethics

FAQ

1. Do I meet the criteria for a Fellowship in Ethics?
2. What financial assistance do the Faculty Fellows and Graduate Fellows receive?
3. What ethics-related courses or professional degree programs does Harvard offer?
4. Does the Center distribute materials or publications?
5. How do I find out about Visiting Scholar and Special Student positions at Harvard?
6. How do I subscribe to the Center's mailing list?
7. Does the Center provide advice about ethical dilemmas?

1. Do I meet the criteria for a Fellowship in Ethics?

   • The Center offers two types of fellowship. Applicants for the Faculty Fellowships in Ethics should hold a doctorate in philosophy, political theory, theology, or a related discipline; or an advanced degree in one of the professions. Fellows must have received their terminal degrees prior to the beginning of the fellowship year. Preference is given to applicants at an early stage of their careers, normally no more than ten years from their first academic appointment. Applicants are judged on the quality of their achievements in their field of specialization and their ability to benefit from work in the Center; the contributions they are likely to make in the future in higher education through teaching and writing about ethics issues; and the probable significance of their proposed research and its relevance to the purposes of the Center's mission.
   • Edmond J. Safra Graduate Fellowships in Ethics are awarded to a small number of outstanding students at Harvard who are writing dissertations on topics relevant to practical ethics. Students should be enrolled in a doctoral program of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences or in one of the University's professional schools. They should have completed all course requirements and general examinations by September prior to the fellowship year. In professions such as law or medicine, where a doctoral dissertation is not required for an academic career, advanced students, recent graduates, and Harvard affiliates engaged in postgraduate training are also eligible. (top)

2. What financial assistance do the Faculty Fellows and Graduate Fellows receive?

   • Faculty Fellows receive stipends based on one-half of their academic year salaries, not exceeding a maximum stipend of $45,000. Their home institution is expected to provide at least half of their salary, plus all benefits. Overseas Fellows and those without regular academic appointments, or any other sources of income, receive a stipend based on individual circumstances.
   • Graduate Fellows receive stipends according to individual circumstances, not exceeding a maximum stipend of $22,000. Candidates' other sources of funding are taken into account. (top)

3. What ethics-related courses or professional degree programs does Harvard offer?

   • For information on degree programs at Harvard College please visit the Faculty of Arts and Sciences homepage. For information on ethics-related courses in various disciplines across the University, visit the online course catalog listing. You may search for offerings in ethics by specifying criteria such as course title, description, semester schedule, teaching faculty, and professional schools or departments.
   • For information on professional degree or certificate programs in ethics outside Harvard University, please visit the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE). (top)

4. Does the Center distribute materials or publications?

   • The Ethics Center does not distribute ethics publications. For a selected list of publications by former Faculty Fellows, Graduate Fellows, and Senior Scholars, please click here. (top)

5. How do I find out about Visiting Scholar and Special Student positions at Harvard?

   • For information on visiting scholar or other non-degree programs at Harvard University, please contact the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it office. The Ethics Center is unable to accommodate short-term visiting scholars. Those selected by the Faculty Committee in the fellowship applications process commit to a full academic year residential fellowship. (top)

6. How do I subscribe to the Center's mailing list?

   • To subscribe to the Center's mailing list, click here and complete the form. (top)

7. Does the Center provide advice about ethical dilemmas?

   • The Center does not (1) influence or defend the policies of Harvard University; (2) publish a code of ethics; or (3) assist in resolving ethical dilemmas. (top)