Black Family Fellowship

How to apply:

1. Apply to the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). Please see the HKS admissions website for more information.
2. Applicants for the Black Family Fellowship must submit via the HKS financial aid portal by January 12, 2024:

• A biographical profile, not to exceed 150 words. (This profile should be short, concise and in the third person.) Please include the following highlights: an introductory sentence including your name; the degree you are pursuing at Harvard Kennedy School in addition to any joint degree at Harvard or concurrent degree program at another graduate or professional institution; where you are from and where you currently reside; an overview and highlights of your relevant work/professional experience; significant leadership achievements including awards or certifications; and educational credentials with the degrees earned and institutions attended.)
• A document containing written responses to two essay prompts related to your experience, education, leadership capacity, and the fellowship:
  • Please discuss an issue you are passionate about as it pertains to improving the public good – what issue(s) are you passionate about working on, and what are your experiences as it relates to this topic? Please use specific examples in your response (500 words or less).
  • Please describe areas of leadership growth or opportunity you hope to pursue while a student at HKS (200 words or less).

3. Applicants should submit the biographical profile and Fellowship essays through the financial aid portal by the financial aid deadline.

Selection:

Finalists for the Black Family Fellowship will be interviewed in the spring by members of the Black Family Fellowship selection committee.

Upon admission to HKS, applicants will be notified if they are selected for the Black Family Fellowship.

Recipients of the Black Family Fellowship will receive financial support from the fellowship, to supplement other financial aid funding (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, etc.) that the recipient may be eligible for from their school. For joint degree students, financial aid will be provided by the school responsible for processing their aid in a given year per the terms of the program guidelines in place by each joint program. Financial support is only committed for academic year 2024-2025, funding is not guaranteed for subsequent years. Funding is only provided towards the cost of attendance at HKS, HBS, and HLS.

How to apply:

1. Apply to Harvard Business School.
2. Apply for the Black Family Fellowship.
3. Completed fellowship applications and supporting documents should be emailed to cpl_selections_bff@hks.harvard.edu by 11:59 PM EST on April 15, 2024. In addition to the HBS application, applicants must submit:

•  A biographical profile, not to exceed 150 words. (This profile should be short, concise and in the third person.) Please include the following highlights: an introductory sentence including your name; the degree you are pursuing at Harvard Kennedy School in addition to any joint degree at Harvard or concurrent degree program at another graduate or professional institution; where you are from and where you currently reside; an overview and highlights of your relevant work/professional experience; significant leadership achievements including awards or certifications; and educational credentials with the degrees earned and institutions attended.)
• A document containing written responses to two essay prompts related to your experience, education, leadership capacity, and the fellowship
  • Please discuss an issue you are passionate about as it pertains to improving the public good – what issue(s) are you passionate about working on, and what are your experiences as it relates to this topic? Please use specific examples in your response (500 words or less).
  • Please describe areas of leadership growth or opportunity you hope to pursue while a student at HKS (200 words or less).
• Curriculum Vitae (up to two pages)
• Two letters of recommendation. (Please have your recommenders send their letters directly to cpl_selections_bff@hks.harvard.edu by 11:59 PM EST on April 15, 2024 with your name in the subject line.)

Selection: Finalists for the Black Family Fellowship will be interviewed in late spring by members of the Black Family Fellowship selection committee, and will be notified of their selection status soon after.

Recipients of the Black Family Fellowship will receive financial support from the fellowship, to supplement other financial aid funding (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, etc.) that the recipient may be eligible for from their school. For joint degree students, financial aid will be provided by the school responsible for processing their aid in a given year per the terms of the program guidelines in place by each joint program. Financial support is only committed for academic year 2024-2025, funding is not guaranteed for subsequent years. Funding is only provided towards the cost of attendance at HKS, HBS, and HLS.

How to apply:

1. Apply to Harvard Law School.
2. Apply for the Black Family Fellowship.
3. Completed fellowship applications and supporting documents should be emailed to cpl_selections_bff@hks.harvard.edu by 11:59 PM EST on March 18, 2024. In addition to the HLS application, applicants must submit:

•  A biographical profile, not to exceed 150 words. (This profile should be short, concise and in the third person.) Please include the following highlights: an introductory sentence including your name; the degree you are pursuing at Harvard Kennedy School in addition to any joint degree at Harvard or concurrent degree program at another graduate or professional institution; where you are from and where you currently reside; an overview and highlights of your relevant work/professional experience; significant leadership achievements including awards or certifications; and educational credentials with the degrees earned and institutions attended.)
• A document containing written responses to two essay prompts related to your experience, education, leadership capacity, and the fellowship
  • Please discuss an issue you are passionate about as it pertains to improving the public good – what issue(s) are you passionate about working on, and what are your experiences as it relates to this topic? Please use specific examples in your response (500 words or less).
  • Please describe areas of leadership growth or opportunity you hope to pursue while a student at HKS (200 words or less).
• Curriculum Vitae (up to two pages)
• Two letters of recommendation. (Please have your recommenders send their letters directly to cpl_selections_bff@hks.harvard.edu by 11:59p PM EST on March 18, 2024 with your name in the subject line.)

Selection: Finalists for the Black Family Fellowship will be interviewed in late Spring 2024 by members of the Black Family Fellowship selection committee, and will be notified of their selection status soon after.

Recipients of the Black Family Fellowship will receive financial support from the fellowship, to supplement other financial aid funding (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, etc.) that the recipient may be eligible for from their school. For joint degree students, financial aid will be provided by the school responsible for processing their aid in a given year per the terms of the program guidelines in place by each joint program. Financial support is only committed for academic year 2024-2025, funding is not guaranteed for subsequent years. Funding is only provided towards the cost of attendance at HKS, HBS, and HLS.

WHAT WE OFFER
The fellowship provides:

• Financial support toward a master’s degree program at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School and/or Harvard Law School
• A comprehensive co-curricular program to augment your leadership development
• A network of exceptional peers and mentors who will enhance your ability to impact the communities you serve

THE AWARD
Recipients of the Black Family Fellowship will receive a financial aid package to supplement other funding (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program, etc.) to meet the cost of tuition and fees, plus a living stipend. For joint degree students, financial aid will be provided by the school in which they are enrolled during that academic year.

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants will be considered based on their potential to lead change for the common good. Black Family Fellows are outstanding emerging leaders with the capacity to work across sectors. Special emphasis is placed on character development and ethical leadership.

• The fellowship is open to admitted degree program students at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Harvard Law School who are veterans of the United States Armed Forces or active-duty military students serving the United States.
• At Harvard Kennedy School, the fellowship is awarded upon admission to the school.
• At Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School, the fellowship is awarded to both newly-admitted and current MBA or JD candidates.
• Candidates who are enrolled, or plan to enroll, in joint or concurrent degree programs at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, or Harvard Law School, are also eligible to apply.

THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE
Black Family Fellows will participate in a yearlong co-curricular program designed by Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. This not-for-credit program is intended to inspire, to provide concrete opportunities for leadership skill-building, and to connect fellows with an interdisciplinary network of like-minded peers and mentors that will last a lifetime. The fellowship co-curricular program includes seminars, an annual retreat, and robust experiential learning grounded in discussions with visionary leaders from the military, business, government, and non-profit sectors whose work has had significant impact in the world. The program will also focus on strengthening the capacity for public leadership, by promoting strong moral character and ethics, practicing negotiation skills, and through reflection, mentorship and skill building.

The Black Family Fellowship programming focuses on bridging the civilian/military gap with leadership development opportunities both for veterans who are working to transition from military to civilian leadership and for military students that will return to service.

The Fellows create a vibrant network of students and alumni committed to advancing knowledge, collaborating on solutions to pressing problems affecting marginalized communities, and building leadership capacity in their communities, their nation, and the world.

Note: Before submitting your application, we expect that you have thoroughly reviewed all pertinent information related to the Black Family fellowship, including but not limited to: program requirements, eligibility information, and the background and purpose of the fellowship. Being a CPL fellow carries with it certain responsibilities including maintenance of good academic standing as required by your degree program; attendance at all fellowship programming for the entire duration of the fellowship; leading program sessions and service activities including a field experience trip; and responsible conduct in representing CPL and Harvard University. Please visit our Fellowship FAQs page for more information.

Commitment to Nondiscrimination: As a matter of commitment, policy, and law, Harvard Kennedy School does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, color, race, age, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, intellectual focus, disability, or veteran status. The School strongly believes diversity enhances the value of all its activities, from research and teaching to degree programs and public events. The School encourages applications from candidates who are interested in careers in public service and acknowledges a special responsibility to train effective leaders in public policy and management.