Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The PPG Research Fellowship is a competitive, six-month research program offered by Partners for Public Good (PPG), a nonpartisan organization working alongside U.S. state and local governments to strengthen operational systems. The fellowship supports early-career researchers—including graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career faculty, and policy professionals—interested in using rigorous methods to improve government effectiveness.
Fellows are paid to conduct policy-relevant background research, collect and analyze data, and co-author publications on one of five pre-determined topics related to public procurement and local government operations. The program combines independent research with structured mentorship, professional development, and collaboration opportunities.
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What the Fellowship Offers
- Compensation: $50 per hour for 15–25 hours per week
- Duration: Six months, with desired start date of October 2026
- Location: Remote within the U.S., with requirement for access to a major U.S. airport for travel
- Benefits: As required by state or local law
- Professional development: Coaching calls, research team meetings, and one in-person research retreat
- Output support: Translation of work into draft publications, policy briefs, and public-facing materials
Research Topics
Fellows work on one of five defined projects under PPG staff guidance:
1. Understanding Public Procurement Through Municipal Data
Explore publicly available procurement information across U.S. cities to understand purchasing practices and identify opportunities for analysis.
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2. The Compliance Web: Layered Governance and Local Implementation
Examine how federal, state, and local requirements shape operations in areas like permitting, transit infrastructure, or school food procurement.
3. Emerging Technology and Government Operations
Investigate how AI and emerging technologies are being adopted by state and local governments and what this reveals about organizational capacity.
4. Innovative Approaches to Public Purchasing
Analyze trends in procurement methods, with particular focus on cooperative purchasing and implications for efficiency and market participation.
5. Building Local Capacity for Stormwater Management
Study how communities develop and finance stormwater management capacity across varying governance and policy environments.
Who Should Apply
This fellowship is designed for early-career researchers including:
- Graduate students
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Early-career faculty
- Research or policy staff at think tanks, nonprofits, or government agencies
- Other professionals with comparable research experience
Applicants may be affiliated with a university, think tank, nonprofit, or other research organization, provided they can meet time and deliverable commitments. Those without institutional affiliation are also welcome to apply.
Important for African applicants: This fellowship requires U.S. location and access to a major U.S. airport. Zimbabwean and SADC nationals would need appropriate U.S. work authorization or visa status that permits paid employment. PPG does not specify sponsorship availability; direct inquiry is recommended.
Required Deliverables
Each fellow completes two to three deliverables, which may include:
- Topic-specific literature review
- Dataset compiled from publicly available information with documentation
- Dataset from primary data collection with survey/interview instruments
- Draft publication or policy brief
- Conference submission
Application Requirements
Submit the following by September 28, 2026:
- Resume/CV (maximum 2 pages)
- Letter of interest (maximum 2 pages; 3 pages if applying to two projects) addressing:
- Which one or two projects you are interested in and why (specify top choice)
- Why you are qualified for the project
- How you would approach the work
- Work sample: Published or under-review research publication or other product demonstrating relevant skills
Selection Process
PPG reviews applications on a rolling basis. All applications received by the deadline will be considered. Prior to fellowship start, PPG and selected fellows agree on:
- Work hours and scheduling flexibility
- Project goals and deliverables
- Data access, use, rights, and ownership expectations
About Partners for Public Good
PPG works alongside government staff through implementation—not just as advisors delivering recommendations, but as practitioners staying until change occurs. Through implementation work, applied research, and the Procurement Excellence Network (3,000+ government professionals), PPG translates learning into tools that travel across jurisdictions. With support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, PPG advances government innovation nationwide.
Equal Opportunity
PPG is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or other protected characteristics. Reasonable accommodation is available for applicants with disabilities; contact info(at)partnersforpublicgood.org.
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
