Fellowship Roadmap
- Summer Quarter | Orientation and Academic Coursework: Orientation lays the foundation for a strong, mission-driven cohort through community-building activities and exercises that foster a culture of open and civil discourse. From there, Fellows spend the first quarter in a fast-paced academic environment sharpening technical and analytical tools ranging from quantitative analysis and critical reasoning to cost benefit analysis and policy design.
- Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters | Applied Learning: Fellows complete nine months of high-impact, real-world applied learning within teams tackling urgent public challenges such as advancing educational equity, improving government efficiency, and accelerating climate action.
- Spring Quarter | Capstone Project: Fellows synthesize their year of learning and field experience into a Capstone Project—a real-world, data-driven policy initiative that addresses a critical challenge in the public or social sector. Working closely with mentors and project partners, fellows apply their technical skills, research insights, and leadership abilities to craft actionable solutions. The Capstone serves as both a final demonstration of fellows’ abilities and a key stepping stone in their career development, with opportunities to present findings to stakeholders, policymakers, and future employers.
Fellowship Curriculum
The Summer Quarter immerses fellows in three faculty-led courses that establish a strong core foundation for engaging with public policy:
- Data Analytics: With the focus on quantitative analysis, critical reasoning, and generating credible evidence, fellows learn program evaluation methodologies and develop the ability to critically assess policy claims. Fellows will also learn to leverage machine learning and AI to enhance their technical skills.
- Economic Analysis: Developing foundational knowledge in microeconomic theory, social welfare analysis, and cost-benefit analysis, fellows will be equipped with skills in public finance, budgeting, and applying evaluation strategies to organizational improvement.
- Analytical Politics: Exploring political philosophy, game theory, and governance challenges, this course provides fellows with tools to analyze how political institutions shape policymaking and strategies to influence policy effectively.
Location:
United States
Benefits
Fellowship Stipend
- $75,000 Stipend for living and healthcare expenses
- $21,000 to fully cover fellowship academic credential
Fellowship Curriculum
The Summer Quarter immerses fellows in three faculty-led courses that establish a strong core foundation for engaging with public policy:
- Data Analytics: With the focus on quantitative analysis, critical reasoning, and generating credible evidence, fellows learn program evaluation methodologies and develop the ability to critically assess policy claims. Fellows will also learn to leverage machine learning and AI to enhance their technical skills.
- Economic Analysis: Developing foundational knowledge in microeconomic theory, social welfare analysis, and cost-benefit analysis, fellows will be equipped with skills in public finance, budgeting, and applying evaluation strategies to organizational improvement.
- Analytical Politics: Exploring political philosophy, game theory, and governance challenges, this course provides fellows with tools to analyze how political institutions shape policymaking and strategies to influence policy effectively.
Applied Learning Experience
- Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab: The Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab aims to promote human potential by using cutting-edge research methods to gain new insights into the science of parent decision-making.
- Urban Labs | Education Lab: The Education Lab partners with school districts to design, test, and scale programs to ensure all students have the opportunity for future success.
- Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation: The Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation empowers urban communities through interdisciplinary research, collaboration, and innovation to address complex societal challenges.
- Urban Labs | Crime Lab: The Crime Lab designs, tests, and scales data-driven innovations to improve the public sector’s response to the dual challenges of America’s gun violence crisis and a criminal justice system that is not truly just.
A Life-long Community (Fellows as Alumni)
As fellows complete the program and become alumni, continued engagement opportunities foster long-term connections and impact.
- Junior Board Placement: Support securing junior board opportunities based on social impact interests.
- Annual Retreat: Fellows, affiliated faculty, program leadership, will convene annually to foster engagement, community, and a lasting connection to Harris and Chicago.
- Networking: Opportunities for Fellowship alumni to engage with future cohorts, offering support and advice, making professional connections, and circulating job opportunities.
Eligibilities
- Demonstrated capacity for serious technical, quantitative, or analytical work—e.g., through coursework, research, or work experience
- Recent college graduate or early-career professional (bachelor’s degree must be conferred prior to the start of the fellowship)
- The nature of this program requires participants be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
- If you are a U.S. visa holder, you must confirm with the sponsor of that visa whether participation in this program fits within the parameters of your current visa status.
- The University of Chicago cannot sponsor visas in connection with the program.
Application Process
- Use the Apply Now link
- Scroll Down to 2026 Non-Degree Programs and submit your application through creating an account
- Technical Assessment
- Virtual Interview
- On-Campus Interview Day
Application Requirements
- Motivation Statement
- Technical Experience Statement
- Resume
- 1 Letter of Recommendation
- Transcripts
N.B. Please note that multiple application rounds are anticipated; however, They reserve the right to close the application process early once all fellowship spots are filled. As such, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.
