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Applying for Fellowship

The Fellows Program at the Institute of Politics (IOP) is a cornerstone of Institute life and the only program of its kind at Harvard University or anywhere else. An IOP Fellowship offers the rare opportunity for professionals in politics and public service to spend a semester at Harvard sharing their experiences with students and exploring important public issues with a distinguished group of their peers. With a strong emphasis on student-Fellow interaction, the Fellows Program provides six positions each semester to elected officials, high-ranking government officials, foreign dignitaries, campaign leaders, policy makers, political journalists and other key participants in the political process.

The Fellows Program is highly selective. Criteria governing selection include significant political, governmental or other public service experience; ability to work well with students, faculty, and colleagues; and the promise of future contribution in public affairs.

How to Apply

There are three steps to completing an application for the fellowship.

  1. Fill out and submit the informational coversheet.
    This can be done by filling out the online application below; or pdf hard copy (mail in)
  2. Submit a current biography of yourself. It is helpful to learn about your professional experience. A prose form biography is preferred to a resume.
  3. Submit a proposed study group outline. If you have more than one idea for a study group please feel welcome to submit more than one. To get an idea of what a study group outline looks like please go here: past study groups

    Applicants should know that this proposed outline is a rough draft and it is not expected to be perfect. It does help in understanding what subject the candidate would like to treat and the approach to the study group they may take.


Applications for the Fall 2012 Fellowship are due by April 30, 2012.

For further information about becoming an IOP Fellow, please contact Eric Andersen by email or by phone at (617) 496-8475.

More information about the IOP's Fellows program can be found here.

Unfamiliar with the idea of a satudy group? See past study group outlines here.
Click here to see a list of former IOP Fellows >

Watch a former fellow about talk their experience.
Sila de Valera >
David Yepsen >