The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is a selective, full-time, 11-month program for recent graduates and early career professionals with strong STEMÂ skills and a passion for evidence-based change. Designed by University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy faculty, the fellowship blends intensive training in policy analysis, critical reasoning, and data analytics with a hands-on placement at a top research center or policy institute.
Fellows begin with eight weeks of academic coursework followed by nine months tackling urgent issues like educational equity, climate action, crime reduction, and government efficiency. The experience culminates in a capstone project addressing a real-world policy challenge.
Throughout the program, fellows receive professional development, mentorship from policy leaders, and access to an unmatched network of faculty, alumni, and practitioners. Fellows emerge with the skills, momentum, and a defining career experience to advance data-driven change across public, private, and social sectors.
The award includes a $75,000 stipend for living and healthcare expenses and $21,000 to fully cover the fellowship academic credential.
Eligibility
- Demonstrated capacity for serious technical, quantitative, or analytical work—e.g., through coursework, research, or work experience
- Recent college graduate or early-career professional (bachelor’s degree must be conferred prior to the start of the fellowship)
- The nature of this program requires participants be legally authorized to work in the U.S. If you are a U.S. visa holder, you must confirm with the sponsor of that visa whether participation in this program fits within the parameters of your current visa status. The University of Chicago cannot sponsor visas in connection with the program.
Fellowship Website:
https://info.harris.uchicago.edu/social-impact-fellowship