Presidential Public Service Fellowship Program at Harvard University
Presidential Public Service Fellowship
2026 Fellows Announced
The 2026 Presidential Public Service Fellows are officially here, and this year’s cohort is packed with talent. Six College students and eight Graduate students are gearing up for a summer that will launch them into public‑sector roles across the country, tackling everything from policy and community development to cutting‑edge government innovation. It’s a group built for impact, and their work is about to hit the ground running.
This standout cohort is stepping forward with a bold commitment to public service, channeling their passion into work that strengthens communities far beyond campus.
Learn about this new group of Fellowship recipients.
The Transformative Dimension of Public Services in the Community
Harvard’s Presidential Public Service Fellowship (PPSF) program supports a broad range of summerlong opportunities that serve the common good. Our Fellows are involved in meaningful projects that affect communities across the United States. They are active in programs that focus on education, the arts, and government; work in social services and human rights organizations; and seek improved outcomes in health, the environment, and the justice system.
Other Public Service Opportunities
At Harvard, public service is one of the ways our students contribute their talents and fulfill their commitment to helping others.
The Center for Public Leadership at Harvard Kennedy School offers nine student fellowship programs that support its mission to forge leaders capable of solving the world’s most pressing problems across the sectors of business, government, and civil society. Offering tuition, stipends, and a robust community of learning through group experiences, the Center for Public Leadership fellowship programs are magnets for creative thinkers and action-oriented change agents.
The Institute of Politics (IOP) offers wide-ranging opportunities for students to practice and gain skills for a future in public service. The IOP’s 14 programs available to students include the Harvard Public Opinion Project, a nationwide survey project of young adults’ political views, and the Women’s Initiative in Leadership, created to address the interest and importance of female students at Harvard in developing leadership skills. Harvard undergraduates are also offered a broad array of internship and career opportunities, including 100 paid public service summer internships around the world.
The Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) is dedicated to educating, advising, and connecting students to service opportunities during their summers and post-graduation. MCS serves students of Harvard College, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Harvard Extension School degree programs. MCS also has public service–themed events planned throughout the year, daily walk-in hours for those with questions, and advisors available by appointment for more in-depth consultations.
The Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) is a student-run, community-based, nonprofit public service organization affiliated with Harvard College. PBHA strives for social justice. As a student-run organization, PBHA draws on the creative initiative of students and community members to foster collaboration that empowers individuals and communities. Through social service and social action, PBHA endeavors to meet community needs, advocate for structural change, and promote social awareness and community involvement at Harvard and beyond. Each year, 1,500 student volunteers join with PBHA’s community partners to run more than 80 social service and social action programs.
PBHA programs fall into several categories: adult services, advocacy, after school and in school, health, housing, mentoring, and summer. Although programs range in focus, almost all are community-based and champion ongoing, continuous service.
The HBS Social Enterprise Initiative (SEI) applies innovative business practices and managerial disciplines to drive sustained, high-impact social change. It's grounded in the mission of Harvard Business School and aims to educate, inspire, and support leaders across all sectors to tackle society’s toughest challenges and make a difference in the world.
The SEI offers Harvard MBA students opportunities for involvement that include elective courses and field-based learning experiences; internships and career development programs; student clubs and organizations; and the New Venture Competition. Other Harvard University graduate students are also eligible to participate in the New Student Venture Competition.