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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.

Study Groups
The centerpiece of the Fellows’ semester at Harvard is the study group program. Study groups are non-credit, weekly meetings in which Fellows lead discussions with students. Each Fellow directs a study group on a particular subject according to his or her experience, interests and expertise, choosing specific topics for each session. These afternoon seminars last an hour and a half. Fellows may often invite guests to share their experiences, anecdotes and insights with their study groups. Some recent guests at the study groups include Senator Max Cleland, Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams, historian David McCullough, columnist David Brooks, Governor Mitt Romney, and actress/activist Mia Farrow. The goal of the study group is to encourage, challenge and inform students who are preparing for leadership roles. Recently, Fellows have led study groups on topics ranging from the future of the judiciary in the United States to the 2006 mid-term elections.

How to Become a Fellow at the IOP
A strong candidate for the Fellows Program has been in politics and/or the public sector for at least 10 years. A Fellow may have served as an elected official, a senior policy maker, an active political journalist or a significant contributor in another area of politics and public policy. Fellowship candidates must demonstrate an enthusiasm for working with students, a desire to encourage students to enter public service, a strong and relevant study group topic and an overall understanding of their roles as experienced practitioners in an academic setting. Fellows are required to live in residence for one semester and must be available to students throughout the semester. They must participate in the activities of the Institute of Politics and in the life of the Harvard community. The Institute of Politics will always make an effort to accommodate Fellows who are required to fulfill external obligations; however, we ask that candidates inform us of any regular commitments that may interfere with their accessibility, their ability to work with students, or their participation in the Institute’s activities.

Anyone who is interested the Fellowship should send the following information to the Institute of Politics in order to be considered for a fellowship:

• A cover letter stating interest in the Fellows Program, the intended fellowship semester - Fall (September - December) or Spring (February - May) - and year to be considered
• A resume or biography with any additional information on public service and political participation
• A theme (or themes) for an eight-week study group, along with potential guest speakers
• A completed Fellows Candidate Cover Sheet

All material is due by April 30 for Fellowships beginning in the fall and by November 25 for spring semester Fellowships.

The Institute’s Fellows Program Director and Student Fellows Selection Committee will consider all interested parties who send a complete package of information.
The Fellows Program Director will respond directly to the candidate’s letter of interest. Thank you very much for your interest in the Institute of Politics and the Fellows Program. If you have any additional questions or wish to obtain more information about the Fellows Program at the Institute of Politics, please contact:  Eric Andersen,  Director, Fellows Program by email or by phone at (617) 496-8475.

Unfamiliar with the idea of a study 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 >


Apply  for Fellowship