Belfer Young Leaders Student Fellowship

The Belfer Young Leader Student Fellowship Program helps prepare a community of high-achieving Harvard Kennedy School students to cultivate 21st-century, global ideas and to gain the strong analytical and innovative leadership skills necessary to excel in the global affairs arena. The Student Fellowship Program also aims to impart to students the importance of community, diversity, service, and leadership. The fellowship includes the possibility of a financial award intended to offset tuition expenses; funding awards are determined during the application process.

The fellowship is designed for incoming and returning Masters in Public Policy (MPP) and Masters in Public Administration (MPA) students (including those pursuing Joint Degrees) at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) who have demonstrated an interest in and commitment to advancing policy-relevant knowledge in international affairs or U.S. national security, science, climate change, emerging technologies, the application of history in foreign policy decision-making, nuclear proliferation, and related fields, and have a track record of leadership, academic or professional excellence, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.  This fellowship is not currently open to MPA-ID candidates.  

Belfer Young Leader Student Fellows have the opportunity to participate in policy research in association with the Belfer Center, HKS’s oldest and largest research center. In the fall semester, Belfer Student Fellows will be paired with a research project or program at the Belfer Center where they will observe and participate in policy research. These pairings offer students the opportunity to spend five hours per week on research assistance to Belfer Center projects and programs, and provide a unique opportunity for mentorship by leading faculty and researchers. Student Fellows also benefit from regular programming, including discussions with faculty and Senior Fellows, skill-building workshops, and career-related events.

The following terms of the fellowship apply: this is a one-year fellowship, eligible for renewal based on an annual evaluation process and academic good standing. This fellowship includes the possibility of a financial award of up to $25,000.00 per academic year to be applied towards tuition; awards will be determined based on a student’s need, other financial awards, and academic performance of the student.

For: MPP and MPA students at the Harvard Kennedy School can apply during 2 application periods -- as a prospective HKS student during the admissions and financial aid process and as a rising MPP2/MPA2 student during April of their first year.

Length: One year, renewable based upon an annual evaluation process

Current HKS Students: For any questions regarding the fellowship or the application process, contact mackenzie_heather@hks.harvard.edu.

Prospective HKS Students: For any questions regarding the fellowship or the application process, please contact HKS admissions at admissions@hks.harvard.edu.