Application Key Dates and Eligibility
Q: When is the application period and deadline?
A: The application will go live on January 16th and close on January 30th.
Q: Is the fellowship open to students graduating in May 2023?
A: Yes. The fellowship is open to graduate and professional school students including those in the class of 2023.
Q: May international students apply?
A: Most international students can apply, but you may need to check with the International Office here to discuss your specific visa requirements. Note: Harvard University, not the city, will be your employer and Harvard will pay you for the fellowship.
Q: May undergraduates apply?
A: The summer fellowship is only open to graduate students. Bloomberg Harvard Undergraduate student opportunities are available in partnership with the Institute of Politics Directors Internship. Additionally, please check our Student Opportunities page for undergraduate engagement options.
Q: What schools do successful applicants commonly attend at Harvard?
A: We love to see a diversity in programs and schools represented. Cities are often looking for a different perspective. Given the nature of the projects to date, most of our applicants are from HKS, HSPH, HBS, HGSE, and GSD.
Q: Have any past fellows been selected without prior government experience?
A: Yes! We accept fellows with all types of backgrounds - public, private, and non-profit.
Selection and Placement Process
Q: What is the matching process for the fellowship?
A: After the application window has closed, we will review all candidate applications and select the top candidates for first-round interviews in early February through mid-February. Once we have determined the top candidates for each city, the cities will conduct round two interviews with finalists and provide their feedback to us. We will then compare the cities’ priority candidates against the students’ ranking. In instances where there is not an immediate match, we will revert to the candidate pool and conduct the search and match procedure until all positions are filled.
Q: How does city placement/choice work?
A: In the application, you will be asked to rank your top three choices and make a case for projects associated with your rankings. The interview and review team will evaluate your application and, when possible, do our best to match you to one of your top three choices.
Integration with Host City Team
Q: What is the format and structure of the fellowship?
A: The fellowship is designed to be a fully immersive, in-person experience. Fellowships will be in-person, in the fellowship city for summer 2023.
Q: How integrated are fellows with their government teams and operations?
A: We ask cities to integrate fellows with their teams as much as possible. City supervisors are asked to include the fellow in all operations connected to the project.
Q: Will I need any special hardware or software for the work?
A: No special hardware or software is needed to complete a fellowship. However, each fellowship city may have unique security and confidentiality requirements which would be addressed when onboarding the fellow.
Fellowship Support
Q: Is there a stipend?
A: Yes, Bloomberg Harvard provides a stipend of $8500 for the 10-week fellowship and pays for one, single-purchase, round-trip ticket to the fellowship city.
Q: If selected, will housing be provided in the fellowship city?
A: The fellow is responsible for securing their own housing. Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative does not provide funds in excess of the $8500 stipend and single purchase round-trip ticket. In previous years, some cities have provided guidance to help fellows secure housing during their 10-week placement.
Q: What support do fellows receive?
A: Bloomberg Harvard fellows are required to attend a pre-fellowship orientation and ongoing professional development workshops designed and scheduled prior to departing to their city and throughout the 10-week fellowship. The workshops sharpen skillsets, fill knowledge gaps, and provide guidance connected to executing final deliverables. Examples of previous professional development workshops include sessions such as “Stakeholder Engagement”, “Survey Design” and “Communications Strategies” with faculty and Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative staff.
Q: Do I choose my own faculty advisor?
A: We will assign you a faculty advisor as well as an Initiative staff “champion” to serve as your advocate within our program.