The Harris Social Impact Fellowship 2027–2028 offers an exceptional opportunity for technically skilled recent graduates and early-career professionals who want to use data, quantitative analysis, research, and evidence to solve pressing social and public-policy challenges.

Designed by faculty at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, the fellowship combines rigorous academic training with nine months of hands-on experience at leading research centers and policy institutes. Fellows develop advanced capabilities in research methods, data analytics, economic analysis, critical reasoning, policy design, and applied research while working on real-world challenges affecting communities across the United States.

The 11-month, full-time fellowship is based at the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus and is designed for a highly selective cohort of approximately 15 Fellows. The program runs from July 2027 through June 2028 and provides substantial financial support, including a $75,000 stipend for living and healthcare expenses and $21,000 to fully cover the fellowship’s academic credential.

The program is particularly suited to individuals with strong technical and quantitative backgrounds who are interested in transitioning their skills into evidence-based social impact, public policy, government, research, or mission-driven careers.

Opportunity Overview

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is structured around a simple objective: helping technically talented professionals gain the experience and policy expertise required to turn rigorous evidence into meaningful social impact.

Rather than requiring participants to pursue a traditional graduate degree in public policy, the fellowship provides an intensive combination of:

• Academic coursework
• Quantitative and analytical training
• Applied research
• Immersive professional experience
• Mentorship
• Career coaching
• Leadership development
• Networking
• Capstone research
• Exposure to leading University of Chicago research centers and policy institutes

The program begins with eight weeks of intensive academic coursework at the University of Chicago. Fellows then spend approximately nine months working in applied-learning placements tackling urgent public challenges.

The experience concludes with a real-world capstone project that allows Fellows to demonstrate their ability to apply research, data, analytical reasoning, and leadership to an important social-impact problem.

Harris Social Impact Fellowship 2027–2028 at a Glance

What Does the Harris Social Impact Fellowship Offer?

The fellowship provides an integrated professional development experience that combines classroom learning with practical research and policy work.

1. Intensive Academic Coursework

Fellows begin the program with eight weeks of faculty-led coursework at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

The curriculum focuses on four core areas:

• Research Methods
• Economic Analysis
• Analytical Politics
• Data Analytics

Together, these courses provide Fellows with the analytical foundation required to understand public-policy problems and develop evidence-based solutions.

2. Nine Months of Immersive Applied Learning

After completing the initial academic period, Fellows undertake approximately nine months of immersive applied learning.

Participants work with leading research centers and policy institutes on issues such as:

• Educational equity
• Public safety
• Crime reduction
• Health equity
• Climate action
• Environmental policy
• Government efficiency
• Urban challenges
• Social and economic inequality

This applied-learning component is one of the defining features of the fellowship because participants are not simply studying policy problems. They are actively working on research and projects designed to address them.

3. Professional Development

Fellows receive extensive professional development throughout the program.

Activities include:

• Technical skills workshops
• Leadership development
• Problem sets
• Panel discussions
• Networking events
• Mentorship
• Career coaching
• Engagement with senior faculty
• Interaction with alumni
• Connections with civic and policy leaders

The program is designed to help participants understand how their technical skills can translate into meaningful careers in the social, public, and private sectors.

4. Capstone Project

The fellowship culminates in a data-driven capstone project addressing a real-world social-impact challenge.

Fellows work with mentors and project partners to:

1. Identify an important policy or social challenge.
2. Apply research and analytical tools.
3. Analyze relevant evidence and data.
4. Develop practical solutions.
5. Translate findings into actionable recommendations.
6. Present their work to relevant stakeholders.

The capstone serves both as a demonstration of the Fellow’s abilities and as an important professional portfolio piece.

5. Lifelong Community

The fellowship does not end when the 11-month program concludes.

Fellows become part of an ongoing alumni community that provides opportunities for continued engagement and professional collaboration.

Alumni can benefit from:

• Annual retreats
• Networking opportunities
• Connections with future cohorts
• Professional advice
• Job opportunities
• Continued relationships with faculty and program leaders
• Opportunities to contribute to the fellowship community

Fellowship Financial Benefits

One of the most significant features of the Harris Social Impact Fellowship is its substantial financial support.

$75,000 Fellowship Stipend

Fellows receive a $75,000 stipend intended to support living and healthcare expenses during the fellowship.

$21,000 Academic Support

The program also provides $21,000 to fully cover the fellowship’s academic credential.

This combination of financial support allows participants to undertake the intensive program while receiving substantial assistance toward their living expenses and academic costs.

Fellowship Roadmap

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship follows a structured progression from academic preparation to applied research and ultimately a capstone project.

Summer Quarter: Orientation and Academic Coursework

The program begins with an orientation designed to establish a strong and collaborative cohort.

Orientation activities focus on:

• Community building
• Cohort development
• Open and civil discourse
• Shared mission
• Preparation for the academic experience

Fellows then enter an intensive academic environment where they develop technical and analytical capabilities.

The coursework includes quantitative analysis, critical reasoning, causal inference, economic analysis, policy design, and data analytics.

Autumn, Winter and Spring Quarters: Applied Learning

Following the coursework, Fellows transition into nine months of applied learning.

Participants work in teams and contribute to projects addressing urgent public challenges.

Examples include:

• Advancing educational equity
• Improving government efficiency
• Accelerating climate action
• Reducing violence
• Improving health outcomes
• Addressing housing instability
• Promoting environmental sustainability
• Improving urban policy

Spring Quarter: Capstone Project

The final stage of the fellowship involves the capstone project.

Fellows combine everything they have learned throughout the year to develop a practical, evidence-based response to a significant public or social challenge.

The project provides an opportunity to demonstrate:

• Technical expertise
• Research ability
• Analytical reasoning
• Policy understanding
• Leadership
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving ability

Harris Social Impact Fellowship Curriculum

The academic curriculum is built around four core courses.

Research Methods

The Research Methods course is grounded in modern applied economics and teaches Fellows how to evaluate causal relationships and assess whether policies and interventions actually work.

Topics include:

• Randomized experiments
• Difference-in-differences
• Instrumental variables
• Regression discontinuity designs
• Causal reasoning
• Empirical evaluation
• Policy-data analysis

Fellows learn not only how to understand research findings but also how to implement analytical designs using real policy data.

Economic Analysis

Economic Analysis provides Fellows with a foundation in:

• Microeconomic theory
• Social welfare analysis
• Cost-benefit analysis
• Public finance
• Budgeting
• Evaluation strategies
• Organizational improvement

These skills help participants assess the costs, benefits, incentives, and potential consequences of public interventions.

Analytical Politics

Analytical Politics examines how political institutions and governance structures influence public policymaking.

The course explores areas such as:

• Political philosophy
• Game theory
• Governance
• Political institutions
• Policymaking
• Strategies for influencing policy

This component helps technically trained professionals understand that evidence alone does not determine policy outcomes; political institutions, incentives, stakeholders, and governance structures also matter.

Data Analytics

Data Analytics focuses on:

• Quantitative analysis
• Critical reasoning
• Program evaluation
• Evidence generation
• Assessment of policy claims
• Machine learning
• Artificial intelligence

The course equips Fellows to use modern analytical tools to examine policy problems and generate credible evidence.

Applied Learning Opportunities

The fellowship provides opportunities to work on major research and policy projects through University of Chicago centers and institutes.

The available host sites are updated annually, and the fellowship’s host-site matching process takes place during the interview phase.

Applicants selected for the interview process rank their preferred host sites. Final placements consider both the applicant’s preferences and the fit between the applicant and the host site’s work.

Examples of current applied-learning opportunities described by the program include the following.

Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab

The Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab (BIP Lab) uses research to understand how behavioral insights can strengthen parental investments in children’s development and reduce social and economic inequality.

Fellows may contribute to projects involving machine learning and artificial intelligence applied to social science research.

Potential projects include:

AI-Powered Survey Simulation

Fellows may contribute to developing an AI-based survey panel model capable of generating predictive survey responses using existing datasets from real parental surveys.

Video Analysis of Parent-Child Interactions

Fellows may help develop AI-based approaches for analyzing recorded parent-child interactions, including verbal and physical engagement.

Digital Program Engagement

Fellows may contribute to AI-assisted analysis of how parents interact with SMS-based digital parenting programs.

These projects demonstrate how advanced computational techniques can be used to strengthen evidence about programs affecting children and families.

Urban Labs | Crime Lab

The Crime Lab focuses on data-driven approaches to improving responses to gun violence and strengthening the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

Fellows may contribute to initiatives such as:

Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy

The Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy is a five-month educational program designed to strengthen leadership and management among community violence intervention leaders.

Fellows may contribute to research and evaluation related to:

• Leadership development
• Management practices
• Community-based organizations
• Violence intervention strategies
• Program implementation

Policing Leadership Academy

The Policing Leadership Academy is a violence-reduction initiative focused on strengthening management and leadership among police commanders.

The program seeks to improve:

• Police management
• Violence reduction
• Fairness
• Effectiveness
• Leadership practices

Fellows may contribute through:

• Statistical modeling
• Program evaluation
• Machine learning
• Applied research
• Data processing
• Research-data infrastructure
• Reproducible analytical pipelines

This work gives participants an opportunity to apply advanced quantitative skills to high-stakes public-sector challenges.

Urban Labs | Energy and Environment Lab

The Energy and Environment Lab works with government agencies and private-sector partners to identify and evaluate policies that:

• Reduce pollution
• Conserve natural resources
• Improve environmental outcomes
• Expand access to reliable energy
• Improve energy affordability

Fellows may contribute to projects involving government partners, including environmental agencies.

Potential areas of work include:

Field Experiments

Participants may assist with designing and implementing randomized controlled trials related to environmental policies.

Machine Learning and Analytical Modeling

Fellows may develop machine-learning models to support environmental policymaking.

Monitoring Technology

Participants may work with advanced remote-sensing technologies to help regulators address issues such as air pollution.

This provides direct exposure to the relationship between quantitative research and environmental policy implementation.

Urban Labs | Health Lab

The Health Lab works with civic and community leaders to improve health outcomes and address health inequities.

Two major areas described in the fellowship materials include emergency crisis response and housing instability and health.

Emergency Crisis Response

The Health Lab studies challenges within the U.S. 911 system, particularly issues that can disproportionately affect communities of color.

Research areas include:

• Crisis response
• 911 call classification
• Bias
• Cognitive load
• Emergency response systems
• Randomized controlled trials
• National surveys
• Case studies
• Three-digit service lines

Fellows may contribute to research designed to make emergency response systems more equitable and effective.

Housing Instability and Health

Another research area examines the relationship between housing and health outcomes among people with complex needs.

Research may involve:

• Homelessness
• Psychiatric hospitalization
• Housing interventions
• Health services
• Cross-sector data
• Randomized controlled trials

Fellows may support:

• Research design
• Sampling
• Randomization
• Data-quality control
• Survey management
• REDCap systems
• Research communication

The work provides opportunities to translate quantitative research into practical improvements for vulnerable populations.

Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation

The Mansueto Institute focuses on complex challenges associated with cities and global urbanization.

Fellows may contribute to projects in areas such as local data journalism and property tax fairness.

Local Data Journalism

The initiative connects:

• Data scientists
• Journalists
• Faculty
• Researchers

The goal is to use high-quality analytics to investigate important urban issues and communicate findings to broad audiences.

Fellows may contribute to:

• Data analysis
• Statistical modeling
• Data visualization
• Research communication
• Investigative projects

Property Tax Fairness

The Property Tax Fairness project examines inequalities in property taxation.

Research has examined millions of property sales records to understand how property-tax systems can disproportionately burden lower-income residents.

Fellows may work on:

• Statistical modeling
• Reproducible code
• Data visualization
• Large-scale data processing
• Automated data pipelines
• Machine learning
• Urban policy research

The program highlights examples where this type of analysis has contributed to policy reforms, demonstrating how technical research can translate into tangible public impact.

Career Development and Professional Support

The fellowship is designed not merely to provide technical training but to serve as a launchpad for a mission-driven career.

From the beginning of the program, Fellows receive personalized guidance designed to help them identify and pursue career paths aligned with their interests and values.

Career support includes:

• One-on-one coaching
• Career-direction planning
• Resume refinement
• Interview preparation
• Employer connections
• Portfolio development
• Technical skills development
• Mentorship
• Networking
• Connections with social-impact organizations
• Exposure to public-sector leaders
• Access to alumni and faculty

Fellows can explore careers across the:

• Public sector
• Social sector
• Private sector
• Research sector
• Policy sector
• Mission-driven organizations

Alumni Community and Long-Term Benefits

The fellowship’s relationship with participants continues after graduation.

Junior Board Placement

The program provides support for securing junior board opportunities based on alumni interests in social impact.

Annual Retreat

Fellows, alumni, affiliated faculty, and program leadership have opportunities to convene annually to maintain relationships and strengthen the fellowship community.

Alumni Networking

Alumni can interact with future cohorts and provide:

• Professional advice
• Career guidance
• Job opportunities
• Professional connections
• Support for emerging Fellows

This creates a continuing network of technically skilled professionals committed to evidence-based social impact.

Program Faculty

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is supported by leading University of Chicago scholars.

Austin L. Wright

Austin L. Wright serves as Faculty Director of the Harris Social Impact Fellowship and is an Associate Professor and Director of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.

Ariel Kalil

Ariel Kalil is the Daniel Levin Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. She directs the Center for Human Potential and Public Policy and co-directs the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab.

Jens Ludwig

Jens Ludwig is the Bergman Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago, Pritzker Director of the Crime Lab, and Codirector of the Education Lab and the National Bureau of Economic Research’s working group on the economics of crime.

Christopher R. Berry

Christopher R. Berry is the William J. and Alicia Townsend Friedman Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy and the College and Director of the Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation.

The involvement of faculty working across economics, public policy, crime, behavioral science, health, education, and urban innovation contributes to the fellowship’s interdisciplinary character.

Who Should Apply?

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is specifically designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong technical and quantitative abilities who want to apply those skills to social impact.

The program states that its ideal applicants may have backgrounds in areas such as:

• Data science
• Engineering
• Statistics
• Applied mathematics
• Quantitative research
• Related technical disciplines

Applicants should also demonstrate an interest in:

• Evidence-based public policy
• Social impact
• Public problem-solving
• Research
• Data-driven decision-making

Importantly, prior policy experience is not required according to the program’s FAQ.

The fellowship is intended for people who have strong analytical capabilities but may still be exploring how to translate their technical expertise into a social-impact career.

Experience Level

The program is designed for:

• Recent graduates
• Early-career professionals
• Individuals with less than two years of professional experience

The inaugural cohort had an average age of 22 and included participants from a range of technical and quantitative backgrounds.

Applicants do not need to have already established a long-term career in public policy. Instead, the program is designed to help technically skilled individuals make that transition.

International Applicants and Visa Holders

The program’s FAQ provides important information for applicants who are not U.S. citizens.

International students and visa holders should understand that the University of Chicago does not sponsor visas in connection with this fellowship.

Applicants who already hold a U.S. visa are responsible for determining whether participation in the fellowship is permitted under their existing immigration status.

The program also states that the fellowship does not qualify for the STEM OPT extension.

International applicants should therefore carefully assess their immigration and employment circumstances before applying.

Application Requirements

The fellowship application includes several important components.

Motivation Statement

Applicants are asked to explain:

• Why they are interested in evidence-based public policy
• Why social-impact work interests them
• How the fellowship aligns with their career goals

The recommended length is approximately 300 words, and the statement should not exceed one single-spaced page.

There is no prescribed format or fixed rubric.

Technical Experience Statement

Applicants must also submit a Technical Experience Statement.

This one-page statement should describe the applicant’s:

• Technical experience
• Quantitative experience
• Analytical capabilities

The purpose is to demonstrate the technical foundation the applicant would bring to the fellowship.

The program provides a sample Technical Experience Statement for applicants who want additional guidance.

Letter of Recommendation

The application requires one letter of recommendation.

Applicants are encouraged to select someone who can directly evaluate their technical, quantitative, or analytical abilities.

Suitable recommenders may include:

• Research supervisors
• Professors
• Managers
• Other professionals familiar with the applicant’s technical work

The recommender’s information must be entered before the application can be submitted.

The recommendation should ideally arrive by the application deadline. However, the program states that letters may continue to be accepted until the final interview day if additional time is required.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to have their recommender submit the letter as early as possible.

How the Host-Site Matching Process Works

Host sites are updated annually, so applicants should consult the official fellowship website for the most current list.

Matching takes place during the interview stage.

Selected applicants are asked to rank their preferred host sites. Final placements are then determined based on:

• Applicant preferences
• Technical background
• Research interests
• Experience
• Host-site needs
• Overall fit assessed during interviews

This means applicants should not assume that they will automatically receive their first-choice placement.

Program Format and Location

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is:

• Full-time
• In person
• Based at the University of Chicago
• Located on the Hyde Park campus
• 11 months in duration

The program runs from July 2027 through June 2028.

The initial academic coursework takes place on campus at the Harris School of Public Policy.

Following the coursework, Fellows undertake their applied-learning placements at assigned host sites.

The program notes that remote and hybrid arrangements may vary depending on the host site, and specific work locations and arrangements are determined by the assigned placement.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Harris Social Impact Fellowship

1. What background or experience does the fellowship look for?

The fellowship seeks applicants with strong technical and quantitative skills, particularly in areas such as data science, engineering, statistics, applied mathematics, and related disciplines.

It is designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals who want to use these skills for social impact.

Applicants do not need previous policy experience.

The program particularly values candidates with genuine analytical ability and curiosity about applying technical skills to public problems.

2. Can international students or visa holders apply?

International applicants should carefully review their immigration circumstances.

The University of Chicago does not sponsor visas for this program. U.S. visa holders are responsible for determining whether their existing visa status permits participation.

The fellowship also does not qualify for the STEM OPT extension.

3. What should I include in the Motivation Statement?

Applicants should explain, in their own words:

• Their interest in evidence-based public policy
• Their interest in social-impact work
• Their motivation for applying
• How the fellowship fits their professional goals

The statement should be approximately 300 words and no longer than one single-spaced page.

4. What is the Technical Experience Statement?

The Technical Experience Statement is a required one-page application component.

It gives applicants an opportunity to demonstrate their:

• Technical skills
• Quantitative capabilities
• Analytical experience
• Preparation for the fellowship

Applicants can consult the program’s sample statement for guidance.

5. How many recommendation letters are required?

The application requires one recommendation letter.

The recommender should ideally be someone who knows the applicant’s technical, quantitative, or analytical work well.

Examples include a:

• Research supervisor
• Professor
• Manager

The recommendation should preferably be submitted by the application deadline, although the program may continue accepting it until the final interview day.

6. Where is the fellowship based?

The fellowship is based at the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus.

The program is full-time and begins with academic coursework at the Harris School of Public Policy.

After the coursework period, Fellows move into applied-learning placements at their assigned host sites.

7. How are host sites assigned?

Host sites change from year to year.

During the interview phase, applicants are asked to rank their preferred sites.

The final placement is based on the applicant’s preferences and the overall fit between the applicant and host site.

8. Does the fellowship require previous policy experience?

No.

The program specifically states that prior policy experience is not required.

Instead, the fellowship is designed for technically skilled applicants who are interested in learning how to apply their analytical capabilities to public-policy and social-impact challenges.

9. What is the duration of the fellowship?

The program lasts 11 months, running from July 2027 through June 2028.

It begins with eight weeks of academic coursework and continues with approximately nine months of applied learning, culminating in a capstone project.

10. Is the fellowship full-time?

Yes.

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is a full-time program.

Applicants should be prepared to commit fully to the academic coursework, applied-learning placement, professional-development activities, and capstone project.

11. How much financial support does the fellowship provide?

The program lists:

• $75,000 for living and healthcare expenses
• $21,000 to fully cover the fellowship academic credential

Applicants should review the official program terms for the latest details concerning financial support.

12. What happens after the fellowship?

Fellows become part of a lifelong community with continued opportunities for:

• Networking
• Annual retreats
• Junior board opportunities
• Alumni engagement
• Job sharing
• Professional connections
• Interaction with future cohorts

The program is designed to support participants beyond the 11-month fellowship experience.

Learn More HERE

Application Deadline

The information provided for the Harris Social Impact Fellowship 2027–2028 states that the application for the new cohort is open, but does not provide a specific application deadline.

Applicants should therefore check the official Harris Social Impact Fellowship application page regularly for the current deadline and submit their materials as early as possible.

Program start: July 2027
Program end: June 2028
Duration: 11 months

How to Apply for the Harris Social Impact Fellowship

Interested applicants should begin by reviewing the official fellowship information and confirming that their academic and professional background aligns with the program.

The application process can be approached through the following steps:

Step 1: Assess Your Eligibility

Confirm that you have:

• A strong technical or quantitative background
• Recent graduation or early-career status
• Less than two years of professional experience, consistent with the program’s target profile
• An interest in evidence-based policy and social impact

Step 2: Prepare Your Motivation Statement

Explain why you want to move your technical skills into social-impact and evidence-based policy work.

Step 3: Prepare Your Technical Experience Statement

Clearly demonstrate your quantitative, technical, analytical, research, or computational experience.

Step 4: Select Your Recommender

Choose someone who can provide meaningful evidence of your technical and analytical abilities.

Step 5: Review Host-Site Opportunities

Research the current host sites and consider which research areas align with your interests and skills.

Step 6: Submit the Application

Complete the official online application and ensure that all required materials are submitted.

Apply for the Harris Social Impact Fellowship

Why the Harris Social Impact Fellowship Stands Out

The fellowship occupies a distinctive position because it combines the strengths of academic training and professional experience.

Rather than simply teaching public policy in a classroom, the program enables Fellows to:

1. Develop advanced analytical skills.
2. Learn rigorous research methods.
3. Understand economic and political dimensions of policymaking.
4. Work with real-world datasets.
5. Apply machine learning and AI to social research.
6. Join leading research centers.
7. Work on urgent public challenges.
8. Receive career coaching and mentorship.
9. Build a professional network.
10. Complete a substantial capstone project.

For technically trained professionals who want their work to have a measurable social impact, this combination can provide a valuable bridge between technical expertise and public problem-solving.

Official Harris Social Impact Fellowship information and application

Conclusion

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship 2027–2028 is a highly selective, full-time, 11-month professional and academic development opportunity for recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong technical, quantitative, and analytical abilities.

Based at the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus, the program combines eight weeks of rigorous coursework with nine months of immersive applied learning at leading research centers and policy institutes. Fellows study research methods, economic analysis, analytical politics, and data analytics before applying those skills to real-world challenges involving education, crime, health, climate, government efficiency, housing, taxation, and urban development.

The fellowship also provides substantial financial support, including a $75,000 stipend for living and healthcare expenses and $21,000 to fully cover the fellowship academic credential. Beyond financial assistance, Fellows receive mentorship, career coaching, technical training, networking opportunities, applied research experience, and access to a lifelong community of alumni and social-impact professionals.

The program is particularly compelling for technically skilled individuals who want to transition into evidence-based public policy and social-impact careers but do not yet have extensive policy experience. With opportunities to work on machine learning, artificial intelligence, causal inference, randomized controlled trials, statistical modeling, data infrastructure, and policy evaluation, Fellows can develop a powerful combination of technical and policy capabilities.

Applicants should carefully review the official eligibility and application requirements, prepare their motivation and technical experience statements, secure a strong recommendation, and investigate the available host sites. Since the information provided does not state a specific application deadline, prospective applicants should consult the official fellowship website for the latest deadline and application instructions.

Discover more global Fellowship and Leadership Development opportunities on OFY.