FAQs
Traditionally the committee has chosen to fund full-time students but part-time students with a compelling project are welcome to apply as long as you are a degree-seeking student and will be on-campus for the entirety of the 2026-2027 academic year.
Undergraduate students must adhere to the Harvard College Summer Funding Policy which states that you may only apply Harvard funding to one Summer experience. This policy does not apply to Harvard Graduate Students or external funding. We require that you inform us of any additional funds that you will receive for your employment or project.
Yes. We encourage you to seek opportunities anywhere in the country where you wish to engage in your public service project.
No. Only public service opportunities taking place within the United States are eligible for the fellowship.
Yes.
No. The letter of recommendation should come from a person who is not a part of the organization where you hope to secure a public service position. However, the letter of sponsorship must come from the employer or an individual at the organization where you will be spending the summer.
Yes, however the total length of your summer employment or project must total at least eight weeks with a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week.
When you successfully submit your application, it triggers two responses:
- A pop-up window appears with a success message.
- You will also receive an email from CARAT confirming submission. (CARAT is the platform for the application online submission system.)
Yes, if you are enrolled in a degree program and will be a student on campus for the full 2026-2027 academic year.
The fellowship will cover the undergraduate summer earnings requirement in addition to your living and travel expenses.
Yes. You are welcome to apply a second time. Your application will only be considered within the context of the current year’s applicant pool.
The online application site is maintained by the Committee on General Scholarships. If you have questions about the system, please contact the Committee on General Scholarships.
No. All Fellows must be a student on campus for the full 2026-2027 academic year.
No. Applicants must be returning to campus in 2026–2027 to continue their degree-seeking coursework.
The fellowship is not designed to support independent research projects related to your thesis work at Harvard.
It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all components of the application are submitted by the deadline, including recommendations. You should inform your recommender of this deadline. If your recommender cannot submit on time, you may wish to consider a different recommender.
No. While working in the office of an elected official qualifies, working on a campaign does not.
In-person internships will be given preference when the Selection Committee is reviewing applications. This Fellowship is intended as an immersive summer experience.
Yes. Travel expenditures, living costs, and summer income are eligible expenses, though ordinarily award amounts will not exceed $6,000 for undergraduates and $8,000 for graduate and professional School students.