The Howard Foundation awards a limited number of fellowships each year for independent projects in selected fields, targeting its support specifically to early mid-career individuals, who have completed at least one major project and demonstrate potential to be future leaders in their fields.

Artists and scholars supported by the Howard Foundation are expected to devote a substantial portion of time during the fellowship year to advancing new work.  It is an unrestricted, non-residency fellowship for the sole purpose of aiding the intellectual and artistic development of the recipients. Fellowship funds may be used in combination with sabbatical leaves or other sources of support, but this is not a requirement.

The Howard Foundation was officially established in 1952 and offered its first fellowships in 1954.