Deadline: December 1, 2026
Ready to build a better future? Apply for the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership Equity Fellowship 2027-2028. Fellows will participate in a yearlong co-curricular program designed by Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. This not-for-credit program is intended to inspire, to provide concrete opportunities for leadership skill-building, and to connect fellows with an interdisciplinary network of like-minded peers and mentors that will last a lifetime.
The fellowship co-curricular program includes dinner seminars, an annual retreat, and experiential learning grounded in discussions with visionary leaders whose work has had significant impact in the world. The program will also focus on strengthening the capacity for public leadership through reflection, mentorship, and skill building.
The Fellows create a vibrant network of students and alumni committed to advancing knowledge, collaborating on solutions to pressing problems affecting marginalized communities, and building leadership capacity in their communities, their nation, and the world.
Fellowship
The fellowship provides:
- Financial support toward a master’s degree program at Harvard Kennedy School
- A comprehensive co-curricular program to augment your leadership development
- A network of exceptional peers and mentors who will enhance your ability to impact the communities you serve
Financial support is only provided for the cost of attendance at HKS; joint or concurrent degree students will receive financial aid from the fellowship when HKS is their school in residence, as determined by the financial aid office.
Eligibility
You may be a strong fit for the Equity Fellowship if you:
- Have demonstrated leadership promise, interest, and work in reducing disparities in Black/African American, Latino, and other underserved communities.
- Are ready for full-time study on the HKS campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The CPL Equity Fellowship supports students across the following three areas of focus. Students applying for this fellowship must indicate one area of focus they would like to pursue within the Equity Fellowship:
- the Black/African American community in the United States
- the Latino community in the United States
- global marginalized populations
Application
To apply for the Equity Fellowship, there are two steps:
- Complete the application for admission to your selected HKS master’s degree program. This application is currently open and will be due on December 1, 2026.
- Apply to the CPL Equity Fellowship on the HKS financial aid application by January 15, 2027. Check the box to select your specific equity-based area of focus and submit the materials detailed in the Application Information section.
For more information, visit Center for Public Leadership Equity Fellowship.
