Summer Fellowship program

Application Period for Summer 2013 Now Closed

Applications were accepted on a rolling basis beginning in December summer and closed on Wednedsay, March 27, 2013 at 12pm.

About the Fellowship

The Women and Public Policy Program provides stipends for summer internships that focus on closing gender gaps across the globe. Over the past decade the Women and Public Policy Program has enabled Harvard graduate students to complement their academic work with field experience in the US and internationally. WAPPP offers up to $6,500 for students to work in the field for a minimum of eight weeks on gender-focused projects and research.

Summer Fellows' Responsibilities

WAPPP summer fellows are responsible for securing their internship placement and confirming a work arrangement with their host government or organization. Prior to accepting the WAPPP summer fellowship, students will be asked to provide documentation that such arrangements have been adequately made. Before leaving for the summer, all WAPPP summer fellows are responsible for attending mandatory training sessions.

Summer fellows will be required to create a blog and post weekly updates throughout their internship focusing on the impact of their summer work. Students are encouraged, though not required, to create multi-media (photo and video) posts. After completing the summer internship, each summer fellow is asked to submit a collection of high-resolution photos that were taken during their internship, which will be used to share the work of WAPPP summer fellows with supporters and future participants. Please note: $1,000 of the funding will be distributed to the stipend recipient following the completion of all fellowship requirements.

Upon returning to school in the fall, summer fellows will meet twice a semester to share their experience with other WAPPP fellows and build a community of people interested in pursuing gender-focused work. Students may be asked to give a presentation of their work and impact to members of the Women and Public Policy Program community.

Host Organization Responsibilities

The sponsoring organization must provide the student with supervision and direction including administrative support and resources necessary to complete the project and, if applicable, travel expenses other than for the initial travel to and from the project site.

Past Supported Projects

WAPPP has supported over 70 students to work in more than 15 different countries including Afghanistan, Colombia, India, Jordan, Liberia, Nepal, Somaliland, South Africa and the United States. WAPPP summer fellows have worked across sectors – in non-profits, government agencies and socially responsible enterprises – in educational advocacy, health, microfinance and women’s political participation. Summer fellows have worked as trainers, policy analysts, speech writers and researchers. They have interned with organizations such as the Government of Liberia, UNICEF, Salmmah Women’s Resource Centre, Action Aid, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Aid Afghanistan and the Ministry of Women and Child Development in India. For a full list of past summer fellows and their projects, please visit our alumni list.

Eligibility Requirements

Any current Harvard graduate student who will be returning to the University the following fall is eligible to receive a WAPPP summer fellowship. (Preference is given to Harvard Kennedy School students; however, in past years students from across the University have been selected as fellowship recipients. We encourage all interested students with projects fitting the fellowship criteria to apply).

Additional PAE/SYPA Support

The Women and Public Policy Program encourages students to apply for a summer fellowship particularly if they plan to use the experience as a springboard for their master’s thesis. Returning WAPPP summer fellows are eligible to apply for additional J-term funding to expand upon their summer experience by developing it into a gender-focused PAE/SYPA. WAPPP offers limited J-term funding on a case-by-case basis.

Selection Process and Deadlines

Applications were accepted on a rolling basis beginning in December for the following summer. A selection committee reviews the applications and selects recipients. The application period closed on Wednedsay, March 27, 2013 at 12pm. Recipients are notified of the status of their application no later than Friday, April 12, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Naisha Bradley via email at naisha_bradley@harvard.edu.

Jump to

• About the Fellowship
• Summer Fellows' Responsibilities
• Host Organization Responsibilities
• Past Supported Projects
• Eligibility Requirements
• Additional PAE/SYPA Support
• Selection Process and Deadlines

Application

Applications were accepted on a rolling basis beginning in December for the following summer and closed on Wednedsay, March 27, 2013 at 12pm.