Harvard CID Offers Research Fellowships

The Center for International Development (CID) is a Harvard-wide research hub that focuses on finding and promoting workable solutions to the problems of global poverty. The center's mission is to use evidence and data to inform the design of public policies in developing countries, with core research themes including Health & Wellbeing and Social Welfare. Professor Rema Hanna, who supervises the fellows, is the Jeffrey Cheah Professor of South-East Asia Studies at the Harvard Kennedy School. Her research investigates how to improve public services for the world's poorest populations, with projects examining bureaucratic corruption, teacher absenteeism in India, and the impact of discrimination. Much of Professor Hanna's work directly intersects with public health. Past research has measured the long-term health effects of smokeless cookstoves in India and how improved air quality impacts labor market behavior in developing nations. This type of public policy and social science research is highly valued by medical school admissions committees. According to AAMC data, more than 90% of students who matriculate at top-20 research-focused medical schools have significant research experience on their applications. Admissions committees view this experience favorably because it develops critical thinking and the ability to analyze evidence, skills essential for a career in medicine. The fellowship's emphasis on data analysis provides a strong foundation for understanding the evidence-based approaches that underpin modern clinical practice. While many pre-med students pursue traditional "wet lab" bench science, research into healthcare disparities and policy impact is a powerful alternative. It demonstrates an applicant's commitment to understanding the social determinants of health that affect patients and communities.