Applications are now open for the MIT School Access and Quality (SAQ) Fellowship 2026–2027, a prestigious one-year professional development programme designed for education leaders committed to improving educational equity through more effective school enrollment and school performance policies.
Hosted by Blueprint Labs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the fellowship brings together leaders from public school districts, state education agencies, charter management organizations, and nonprofit organizations to learn from leading researchers, policy experts, and fellow practitioners. Through a combination of in-person and virtual programming, participants develop the knowledge, practical skills, and professional network needed to build more equitable, transparent, and efficient education systems.
As technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) increasingly influence education policy and school enrollment systems, the fellowship also explores how these emerging tools can be used responsibly to improve educational equity while ensuring that all students and families have fair access to high-quality schools.
Applications are open until 24 August 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
About the MIT School Access and Quality (SAQ) Fellowship
The MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship is an intensive leadership programme focused on helping education professionals strengthen school enrollment systems and improve school performance policies.
The fellowship recognizes that equitable enrollment practices and fair school performance measures are essential for ensuring that every child—regardless of background, geography, race, or socioeconomic status—has access to quality education.
Rather than offering purely theoretical instruction, the fellowship combines research, policy discussions, peer learning, and practical problem-solving to help participants implement evidence-based solutions within their own organizations and communities.
Throughout the year, Fellows engage directly with:
- MIT researchers
- Education policy experts
- Enrollment specialists
- School system leaders
- Fellow practitioners from across the United States
The programme creates a collaborative learning environment where participants share experiences, exchange ideas, and develop practical strategies to improve educational outcomes.
Why the School Access and Quality Fellowship Matters
Across the United States, education systems are experiencing significant challenges.
These include:
- Declining student enrollment
- Persistent educational inequities
- Unequal access to high-performing schools
- Family disengagement
- Inconsistent school performance measures
- Increasing complexity in enrollment systems
- Growing use of Artificial Intelligence in educational decision-making
Many school districts and education organizations lack sufficient resources or evidence-based guidance to redesign enrollment systems in ways that improve fairness and educational access.
The MIT SAQ Fellowship addresses these challenges by equipping education leaders with research-backed strategies, collaborative learning opportunities, and practical tools that can strengthen enrollment policies while keeping equity at the center of decision-making.
Fellowship Objectives
The programme aims to help education leaders build stronger, fairer, and more effective school systems.
By the end of the fellowship, participants will be better prepared to:
- Improve educational equity
- Design better enrollment policies
- Strengthen school performance systems
- Build trust with families and communities
- Improve decision-making through research
- Apply Artificial Intelligence responsibly within education
- Collaborate across different education sectors
- Lead evidence-based policy reforms
What Fellows Will Learn
The fellowship curriculum focuses on contemporary issues affecting school access and education policy.
Participants will explore topics including:
1. Improving Educational Equity
Fellows learn how enrollment policies can promote:
- Fair school access
- Equal opportunities
- Inclusive education
- Better student outcomes
2. Family and Community Engagement
Participants examine strategies for:
- Working effectively with families
- Building stakeholder trust
- Encouraging community participation
- Improving communication
3. Artificial Intelligence in Education
A distinctive component of the fellowship is its focus on AI.
Participants learn how AI can be used to:
- Forecast school enrollment
- Evaluate enrollment policies
- Improve education planning
- Support evidence-based decisions
The programme also considers important questions regarding:
- Equity
- Accessibility
- Responsible AI
- Family experiences with AI-driven school choice systems
4. Data-Driven Decision Making
Participants strengthen their ability to use education data to:
- Support students
- Improve school access
- Inform policy decisions
- Evaluate educational outcomes
5. Collaboration Between School Systems
The fellowship explores ways to improve collaboration between:
- Public school districts
- Charter schools
- Education agencies
- Community organizations
6. Addressing Enrollment Decline
Participants develop strategies for responding to:
- Declining student populations
- Resource allocation challenges
- School planning
- Equity-centered enrollment policies
7. School Performance Measurement
The fellowship also examines methods for creating:
- More accurate school performance measures
- Fair accountability systems
- Better educational evaluation frameworks
8. Selective School Admissions
Participants discuss equitable approaches to:
- Seat allocation
- Admissions policies
- Access to selective schools
9. User-Friendly Enrollment Systems
The programme helps Fellows design enrollment systems that are:
- Accessible
- Transparent
- Easy for families to navigate
- Inclusive for diverse communities
Fellowship Programming
The SAQ Fellowship combines in-person experiences with virtual learning throughout the year.
In-Person Programming
Two-Day Kickoff at MIT
The fellowship begins with a two-day event hosted at MIT.
Participants:
- Meet fellow cohort members
- Explore key education policy issues
- Build relationships
- Begin collaborative learning
City Learning Visit
Fellows also participate in a two-day immersive visit to another city where they study real-world enrollment and school performance practices.
This allows participants to observe innovative education systems and learn directly from local practitioners.
Virtual Programming
Throughout the year, Fellows participate in a variety of online learning opportunities.
Monthly Challenge Sessions
Participants work together on case studies and discuss practical solutions to real enrollment and school performance challenges.
Webinar Series
Leading researchers and policy experts deliver presentations covering:
- Education policy
- Enrollment systems
- School performance
- Equity
- Artificial Intelligence
Expert Office Hours
Fellows receive personalized support through one-on-one meetings with enrollment specialists and research experts.
Capstone Project
Each Fellow completes an individual project during the programme.
At the end of the fellowship, participants present their work and lessons learned to the cohort.
Ongoing Virtual Community
The fellowship maintains active engagement through:
Monthly Newsletters
Participants receive regular updates featuring:
- Education news
- Research
- Resources
- Event summaries
- Policy developments
Online Learning Portal
Current Fellows and alumni share:
- Resources
- Best practices
- Research
- Collaboration opportunities
Who Can Become a Fellow?
The fellowship is designed for professionals working in education leadership roles.
Participants typically come from:
- Public school districts
- State education agencies
- Charter management organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
Their diverse professional experiences enrich discussions and strengthen collaborative learning.
Alumni Community
Participation extends beyond the one-year programme.
Graduates become members of an active alumni network and are encouraged to continue participating in:
- Events
- Knowledge sharing
- Professional collaboration
- Fellowship activities
This lifelong network enables continued learning and partnership among education leaders.
Why Focus on School Enrollment and Performance?
MIT highlights several pressing challenges facing education today.
These include:
- Nationwide declines in public school enrollment
- Increasing student disengagement
- Persistent inequities in school access
- Limited access to accurate school quality information
Despite these challenges, enrollment systems remain one of the most powerful tools for improving educational equity.
The fellowship equips participants with the research, knowledge, and practical skills needed to redesign these systems in ways that better serve students, families, and communities.
Benefits of the Fellowship
Participants benefit from numerous professional development opportunities, including:
- One-year leadership development programme
- Access to MIT researchers and education experts
- Peer learning with education leaders nationwide
- Two-day kickoff event at MIT
- Two-day city learning visit
- Monthly challenge sessions
- Webinar series
- Individual expert office hours
- Capstone project
- Monthly education newsletters
- Online collaboration platform
- Lifelong alumni network
- Practical AI and education policy training
- Opportunities to exchange ideas with leaders across education sectors
Application Deadline
Applications for the MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship are currently open.
Application Deadline: 24 August 2026 at 5:00 PM ET
Interested applicants should submit their applications before the deadline.
How to Apply
Prospective applicants should complete the official online application through the MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship webpage.
Applicants are encouraged to:
- Review the fellowship objectives.
- Confirm that their professional role aligns with the programme.
- Prepare any required application materials.
- Submit their application before 24 August 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fellowship’s timeline?
The Fellowship starts with an in-person Kickoff event in the fall. It concludes in early summer with the City Learning Visit and a written reflection of each Fellow’s accomplishments.
When and where are the events?
The location of the in-person events varies by cohort. Fellows will be polled and notified of the event dates and locations in advance. Some events may be hybrid or virtual only.
What are some examples of past topics?
In recent cohorts, we have covered many topics, such as how to: improve equity in Fellows’ cities, use enrollment data to drive decision-making, develop more equitable and accurate school quality measures, engage the community to foster equitable enrollment, increase access to early childhood education, unify enrollment for after-school programs, improve relationships between districts and charters, address declining enrollment, and more.
What if my region hasn’t yet started unified enrollment?
Everyone is welcome to join. We think that the diversity in current enrollment practices is an asset to this Fellowship – Fellows can learn from one another about potential challenges and opportunities.
What is the estimated time commitment as a Fellow?
Fellows are expected to attend a two day Kickoff, a two-day City Learning Visit, two hour-long webinars (out of three), and monthly challenge sessions. Fellows are also expected to dedicate several hours throughout the Fellowship to completing a capstone project of their choosing and preparing a short presentation on their efforts. Fellows will also submit a summary of accomplishments upon the conclusion of the program.
Who do I contact with questions?
Please reach out to tgerstle@mitblueprintlabs.org with any questions.
Is there any financial obligation associated with the Fellowship?
There is no fee associated with the Fellowship, though Fellows (or their organizations) are expected to cover the costs of travel and lodging for both in-person events. Five travel scholarships are available based on need and merit to cover up to $1,200 in travel and lodging expenses for each event.
What is the capstone project?
Fellows will commit to a project of their choosing related to enrollment or school performance (e.g., implementing a new school quality measure, pursuing an enrollment policy change). Periodically, Fellows will report on their progress, culminating in a 5-minute presentation about their accomplishments at the end of the year.
Source: https://blueprintlabs.mit.edu/apply-to-the-school-access-and-quality-fellowship/
Why You Should Apply
The MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for education leaders seeking to improve equity in school enrollment and performance systems.
Rather than focusing solely on theory, the fellowship provides practical strategies, collaborative learning experiences, and direct access to leading researchers and policy experts. Participants gain valuable insights into AI-enabled education systems, data-informed decision-making, and evidence-based policies that can improve educational opportunities for students nationwide.
For professionals committed to building fairer, more inclusive education systems, this fellowship provides the knowledge, network, and leadership development needed to drive meaningful change.
Visit HERE to learn more about the MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship.
Conclusion
The MIT School Access and Quality Fellowship 2026–2027 is an outstanding professional development opportunity for education leaders working to create more equitable school enrollment systems and improve school performance policies. Through a year-long combination of in-person events, virtual learning, expert mentorship, collaborative problem-solving, and research-informed discussions, Fellows develop practical skills that can transform educational access and outcomes in their communities.
By examining pressing challenges such as declining enrollment, school accountability, family engagement, and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in education, the fellowship prepares participants to lead innovative and equitable reforms. Those working within public education systems, charter organizations, state education agencies, and nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply before the 24 August 2026 at 5:00 PM ET deadline to become part of this distinguished network of education leaders.
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