Nas & Harvard: Applications Open for 2026-27 Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship

CAMBRIDGE, MA — Over a decade after its historic inception, the Nasir Jones Hip-Hop Fellowship at Harvard University remains a premier destination for those looking to merge street-level culture with Ivy League scholarship. Harvard’s Hutchins Center for African & African American Research is officially accepting applications for the 2026–2027 academic year, with a looming deadline of January 30, 2026.

Nas took to Instagram last week to signal the call for the next generation of thinkers, artists, and creators to follow in his footsteps. Established in 2013, the program was a revolutionary milestone, marking the first time an Ivy League fellowship was named after a hip-hop artist.

The Vision: Bridge-Building at the Du Bois Institute

The fellowship is housed within the W.E.B. Du Bois Research Institute, a hub for creativity and research across the African diaspora. For the 2026-27 cycle, Harvard is seeking roughly 20 fellows; including scholars, musicians, journalists, and visual artists—to develop projects that push the boundaries of hip-hop and its global impact.

According to a statement from the institute:

“The Fellows Program provides a supportive, vibrant environment for intellectual and artistic community… Fellowship projects span areas such as art history, Afro-Latin American studies, design, education, and Hip Hop.”

Legacy in the Making: Nas and Hit-Boy

While his name graces the halls of Harvard, Nas continues to set the gold standard in the booth. His recent run with producer Hit-Boy has been one of the most prolific in rap history, yielding the King’s Disease and Magic trilogies. This creative rebirth earned him his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 2021 and solidified his status as a bridge between the genre’s foundation and its future.

Through his Mass Appeal Records imprint, Nas has also been active in preserving the culture via the Legend Has It… series, championing new releases from icons like Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, and Mobb Deep.

How To Apply

Think you have a project that can change the game? Here is what you need to know for the 2026–27 cycle:

• Deadline: January 30, 2026.
• Target: Scholars and artists (writers, filmmakers, musicians, etc.) whose work focuses on Hip Hop or the African diaspora.
• Requirements:
  • Detailed project description.
  • Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume.
  • Writing sample or creative portfolio.
  • Three (3) letters of reference.
• Terms: Fellows can apply for a single semester (Fall or Spring) or a full academic year.

Those ready to transition from the streets to the stacks can find the full application portal on the Harvard Hutchins Center website.