Zuckerman Fellowship

Application

How to apply

Step 1: Apply for admission to Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Graduate School of Education, or Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Please see respective school websites for deadline information.

Step 2: Apply for the Fellowship. 

Candidates for the Zuckerman Fellowship will be required to complete the fellowship application form and upload supplemental materials through the online portal.

Deadline Information  

Please review the following information carefully to submit a Zuckerman Fellowship application for the 2025-2026  academic year, as deadlines vary depending on the school to which you are applying.

• Deadline for students applying to the T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH) is Friday, January 10, 2025 by 11:59 PM EST.
• Deadline for students applying to the Graduate School of Education (GSE) is Sunday, January 26, 2025 by 11:59 PM EST.
• Deadline for students applying to the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) is Saturday, February 1 at 11:59 PM EST.

Fellowship applicants who are applying to more than one school must submit one fellowship application by the earlier of the two or three school deadlines. For example, if you are applying to HSPH and HKS, you will need to submit your fellowship application by January 10  to be considered at both schools. Please note all schools that you are applying to in your fellowship application.

Recommenders must also submit their letters by the applicable deadline noted above. If your application is submitted by the deadline but is missing a letter of recommendation, we will allow a few days grace period for applicants to follow up with recommenders to submit these letters.

Selection 

Finalists for the Zuckerman Fellowship will be interviewed in February/March by members of the Zuckerman Fellowship selection committee.

ELIGIBILITY

Candidates for the Zuckerman Fellows Program are individuals who have completed, are currently enrolled in, or are accepted and will enroll in an M.B.A., J.D., M.D., or D.M.D./D.D.S. degree from an accredited U.S. institution and are seeking an additional master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, or Harvard Kennedy School.

Eligible candidates include:

• Candidates who have completed their M.B.A., J.D., M.D., or D.M.D./D.D.S. degree from an accredited US institution.
• Candidates who are currently enrolled in their M.B.A., J.D., M.D., or D.M.D./D.D.S. degree from an accredited US institution.
• Candidates who are applying to joint or concurrent degree programs in these fields in academic year 2025-26 are eligible, provided they receive an offer of admission from both schools by April 10, 2025, and intend to enroll in the joint/concurrent program. Applicants who are applying to concurrent degree programs at schools with rolling admissions cycles are strongly encouraged to apply for admissions as early as possible in order to be considered. Students who have been awarded a Zuckerman Fellowship in this category will need to obtain a deferral to the business, law, or medical school in order to take up the fellowship so that they can enroll for their first year at HKS or HSPH.
• *Please contact the Committee on General Scholarships before applying if you have specific questions about your candidacy for the fellowship. Please also consult the school joint/concurrent degree requirements for further information.
• Candidates must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
• Fellows must be in their first year at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Kennedy School, or the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health during their fellowship year.
• Fellows are required to be enrolled full time and in residence for the entire academic year at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Kennedy School, or the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health during their Fellowship year. There are NO exceptions to this policy.
• Applicants who are waitlisted for admission cannot be considered for the fellowship.
• The fellowship application is separate from the candidate’s application for admission to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Kennedy School, or the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Applications for admission must be submitted to the appropriate school according to the deadlines established at that school. Fellows must be admitted to their programs at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Kennedy School, or the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in order to receive the Fellowship.
• Zuckerman Fellowships may not be deferred except in exceptional circumstances.

WHAT WE OFFER

Zuckerman Fellows are selected on the basis of outstanding leadership ability with potential for significant impact to advance the public good, commitment to public service, and intellectual distinction and academic achievement.

The fellowship provides:

• Financial Support toward a master’s degree program at Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Graduate School of Education, or Harvard School of Public Health
• A comprehensive co-curricular leadership development program set within the Harvard ecosystem—a robust network of faculty, students, and opportunity
• Engagement with mentors and highly accomplished leaders who will enhance your ability to impact the communities you serve

THE AWARD

Recipients of the Zuckerman Fellowship will receive a scholarship which covers their tuition, health fees, and provides a generous stipend for one academic year.

THE FELLOWSHIP EXPERIENCE

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 dinner seminars, an annual retreat, and experiential learning grounded in discussions with visionary leaders whose work has had significant impact in the world. The program will also focus on strengthening the capacity for public leadership through reflection, mentorship, and skill building.

The animating idea behind the Zuckerman Fellowship is crosspollination: the creativity that results from bringing perspectives of multiple professions and academic disciplines to bear on public sector problems. The Fellows will 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.

CONTACT

Questions about the application guidelines, or eligibility requirements of the Zuckerman Fellowship should be directed to zuckermanfellows@harvard.edu.

Questions about the Zuckerman Fellowship Co-Curricular Program should be directed to the Center for Public Leadership at cpl_fellowships@hks.harvard.edu.

Note: We expect that you have thoroughly reviewed all pertinent information related to the Zuckerman 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 Fellows 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.