Scholarship Overview
What Is the Harris Social Impact Fellowship?
The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is a highly selective, full-time, 11-month program designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong STEM backgrounds who want to apply their technical skills to social impact. Launched by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, the fellowship combines rigorous academic training with hands-on placements at leading research centers and policy institutes.
The program is specifically built for individuals at a career inflection point—those with quantitative capabilities who want to pivot toward evidence-based public policy but need structured training and experience to make that transition.
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Program Structure and Timeline
The fellowship runs from July 2027 to June 2028 across four distinct phases:
- Summer Quarter (8 weeks): Intensive faculty-led coursework at University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus covering research methods, economic analysis, analytical politics, and data analytics
- Autumn through Spring Quarters (9 months): Immersive applied learning placements at host research labs working on urgent policy challenges
- Spring Quarter: Capstone project developing a real-world, data-driven policy initiative with a mission-driven organization
- Ongoing: Professional development coaching, mentorship from policy leaders, and networking opportunities
Financial Support
Fellows receive comprehensive funding that enables full-time commitment:
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- $75,000 stipend for living and healthcare expenses
- $21,000 to fully cover the fellowship academic credential
- Total support: $96,000
This funding structure allows fellows to focus entirely on skill development and fieldwork without financial distraction.
Host Sites and Applied Learning Opportunities
Fellows are placed with leading research centers based on their interests and fit. Current host sites include:
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Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab (BIP Lab)
Fellows pioneer AI and machine learning applications in social science research, including AI-powered survey simulation, video analysis of parent-child interactions, and digital program engagement analysis.
Urban Labs | Crime Lab
Work on data-driven innovations addressing gun violence and criminal justice reform, including the Policing Leadership Academy. Responsibilities include statistical modeling, applied research, and data pipeline development.
Urban Labs | Energy and Environment Lab
Partner with government agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on field experiments, machine learning modeling, and remote sensing technology for environmental policy.
Urban Labs | Health Lab
Contribute to transforming 911 emergency response systems and improving housing and health outcomes for vulnerable populations through randomized controlled trials and national surveys.
Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation
Work on local data journalism initiatives and property tax fairness research with demonstrated policy impact in cities like Detroit and Chicago.
Eligibility Requirements
The fellowship has specific criteria that African applicants should review carefully:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree must be conferred before the fellowship start date (July 2027)
- Experience level: Recent graduate or early-career professional with less than two years of full-time work experience
- Technical background: Demonstrated capacity for serious technical, quantitative, or analytical work through coursework, research, or employment
- Fields: Data science, engineering, statistics, applied mathematics, economics, computer science, or related quantitative disciplines
- Visa status: The University of Chicago cannot sponsor visas for this program. International applicants must hold valid U.S. work authorization that permits full-time employment. The fellowship does not qualify for STEM OPT extension
Important for African applicants: Without U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or independent work authorization (such as a valid employment-based visa), you cannot participate in this program. The university explicitly states it will not sponsor visas.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit:
- Motivation Statement: Approximately 300 words describing interest in evidence-based public policy and how the fellowship aligns with your goals (maximum one page single-spaced)
- Technical Experience Statement: One-page statement describing your technical, quantitative, or analytical experience. A sample statement is available for download
- Resume
- One Letter of Recommendation: From someone who can speak directly to your technical capabilities (research supervisor, professor, or manager). Must be submitted by the deadline, though letters are accepted until the final interview day
- Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
Selection Process and Timeline
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | October 19, 2026, 11:59 PM CT |
| Take-Home Technical Assessment | Mid-late November 2026 |
| Virtual Interviews | Early-mid December 2026 |
| Lab Matching Interviews & On-Campus Interview Day | Mid-late January 2027 |
The selection process emphasizes both technical capability and fit with specific host sites. Final placements are determined through a matching process considering applicant preferences and interview assessments.
Career Outcomes and Alumni Network
Fellows receive personalized career coaching including one-on-one direction setting, resume refinement, interview preparation, and targeted connections with mission-driven employers. The program culminates in a portfolio-building capstone project that demonstrates applied skills to future employers.
Alumni benefits include an annual retreat, ongoing networking opportunities, engagement with future cohorts, and access to the broader Harris School and University of Chicago networks.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy application system. Prospective applicants can attend virtual office hours for Q&A sessions on September 11, September 25, and October 7, 2026 (all 12-1 PM CDT).
For questions, contact: SocialImpactFellowship@uchicago.edu
