StudyDesk Scholarships
About the fellowship
Villa I Tatti, the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies, sits in the hills above Florence in the former home of the art historian Bernard Berenson. The Berenson Fellowship is its flagship residential award for scholars outside Harvard who are working on how Renaissance Italy connected with the rest of the world — the theme the centre calls “Italy in the World”. That covers transnational exchanges between Italy and regions such as Africa, Asia, Latin America and the wider Mediterranean, across architecture, art, history, philosophy, literature, music and the history of science.
The award is deliberately generous in the ways that matter to a researcher: a $5,200 monthly grant, relocation support, a desk in one of the great Renaissance libraries, and daily contact with a small international scholarly community over lunch and in the library. With up to four fellowships a year, it is competitive — but the field is defined by the research theme, not by nationality or discipline.
Eligibility
- Hold a PhD at the time of application and be able to upload proof of the degree.
- Propose a research project on “Italy in the World” — transnational exchanges involving Renaissance Italy between the 14th and 17th centuries — that can be completed primarily in Florence.
- Be open to scholars of all nationalities; early- and mid-career scholars are given priority.
- Not have previously held a Term Fellowship at I Tatti (prior Graduate Fellows are exempt from this restriction).
- Not be working towards a second PhD at the time of application.
- Be conversant in English, with familiarity with Italian; no IELTS score is specified.
Benefits
- $5,200 per month for four or six months.
- A one-time relocation supplement of up to $1,800.
- A rent-free apartment when available (utilities are the fellow’s responsibility), or a housing subsidy if university accommodation is unavailable.
- Full access to the Biblioteca Berenson seven days a week, with a personal desk or carrel in the library.
- Weekday lunches with the Villa I Tatti scholarly community and participation in lectures, conferences and concerts.
Documents to prepare
- A research proposal showing how your project connects Italy with other cultures or regions during the Renaissance.
- An academic CV.
- A copy of your PhD certificate.
- Two academic referees who will submit recommendation letters online (by 21 November 2026).
- Details of your previous research where the application asks for them.
How to apply
- Read the fellowship guidelines and eligibility criteria on the official Villa I Tatti fellowship page.
- Prepare your research proposal and CV, and have your PhD certificate ready to upload.
- Register two academic referees in the application system so they can submit recommendation letters.
- Submit the completed application through the official online portal (itatti.slideroom.com) in English or Italian before 16 November 2026, midnight Cambridge, Massachusetts time.
- Make sure your referees submit their letters by 21 November 2026.
FAQs
Research examining “Italy in the World” between the 14th and 17th centuries — transnational exchanges between Italy and regions such as Africa, Asia, Latin America or the wider Mediterranean, in fields from art history and architecture to literature, music and the history of science.
Either 4 months (September to December) or 6 months (January to June), residential at Villa I Tatti in Florence.
You need to be conversant in English and have familiarity with Italian; no IELTS score is specified.
Not if you have previously held a Term Fellowship at I Tatti. Prior Graduate Fellows are exempt from that restriction.
Your application must be submitted by 16 November 2026, midnight Cambridge, Massachusetts time. Your two referees have until 21 November 2026 to submit their letters.
Verified 25 Oct 2026: afterschoolafrica.com/120810/berenson-fellowship-2027-2028-at-harvard-universitys-i-tatti-in-florence-italy/ — USD 5,200 per month, up to USD 1,800 relocation, rent-free accommodation when available or housing subsidy, 4 months (September–December) or 6 months (January–June), deadline 16 November 2026, application portal itatti.slideroom.com; universities.nspscholarships.com/harvard-university-berenson-fellowship/ — same figures, PhD required, all nationalities, deadline 16 November 2026 11:59 p.m. Cambridge, MA time, recommendation deadline 16 November 2026; daadscholarship.com/harvard-universitys-berenson-fellowship-2027-2028-5-application-steps/ — USD 5,200/month, up to USD 1,800 relocation, applicant deadline 16 November 2026, recommendation deadline 21 November 2026, official information verified 22 September 2026; opportunitiesfeed.com/2026/09/04/harvard-berenson-fellowship/ — up to 4 awarded each year, rent-free apartment or housing subsidy, all nations, conversant in English and familiarity with Italian, early- and mid-career priority.
