Harris Social Impact Fellowship 2027–2028: $75,000 Stipend and $21,000 Academic Support for Early-Career STEM Professionals
The Harris Social Impact Fellowship 2027–2028 offers a full-time, 11-month opportunity for early-career professionals and recent graduates to apply their technical and quantitative skills to public-policy challenges.
Overview
The Harris Social Impact Fellowship 2027–2028 is a selective, full-time program based at the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus. Designed for technically skilled recent graduates and early-career professionals, the 11-month fellowship bridges technical expertise and public problem-solving. Running from July 2027 through June 2028, the program combines eight weeks of rigorous academic coursework at the Harris School of Public Policy with approximately nine months of immersive applied learning at leading research centers and policy institutes.
Participants study four core areas—Research Methods, Economic Analysis, Analytical Politics, and Data Analytics—before deploying these tools on real-world issues such as educational equity, public safety, climate action, health equity, and urban development. The experience concludes with a data-driven capstone project.
Benefits
- A $75,000 stipend covering living and healthcare expenses.
- $21,000 in academic support to fully cover the fellowship credential.
- Immersive applied-learning placements at University of Chicago research centers and policy institutes.
- Comprehensive professional development, mentorship, career coaching, and leadership training.
- Access to a lifelong alumni and professional network.
Eligibility
- Open to recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong technical, quantitative, and analytical backgrounds (e.g., data science, statistics, engineering, and applied mathematics).
- Prior policy experience is not required.
- Note: The University of Chicago does not sponsor visas for this program, and the fellowship does not qualify for the STEM OPT extension. Applicants must independently verify that their current U.S. visa status permits participation.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must complete the official online application and submit the required materials:
- Motivation Statement: A single-spaced statement of approximately 300 words explaining your interest in evidence-based public policy, social-impact work, and how the fellowship aligns with your career goals.
- Technical Experience Statement: A one-page document detailing your technical, quantitative, and analytical capabilities.
- Letter of Recommendation: One recommendation letter from a professor, research supervisor, manager, or professional who can evaluate your technical and analytical abilities.
Deadline
The available information does not state a specific application deadline. Applicants should consult the official application portal regularly and submit their application materials as early as possible.