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Date and Location
Anastasia Trainque
Join us for the David Gergen Summer Fellowship Info Session
Date and time: Thursday, September 25, 5-6 p.m.
Location: Zoom
About the Fellowship
The David Gergen Summer Fellowship Program honors David Gergen, founding director of the Center for Public Leadership and long-time mentor and supporter of Harvard Kennedy School students for over two decades. The fellowship was established in recognition of David’s extraordinary commitment to developing the capacity for principled, effective public leadership and in appreciation of the critical role “learning by doing” plays in leadership development.
This highly competitive program supports trailblazing public service and leadership opportunities, enabling a select number of Harvard Kennedy School students to gain meaningful, practical, hands-on experience and develop important networks through summer internships in government or nonprofit service.
Application and Programming Details
Harvard Kennedy School students returning for the 2026–2027 academic year are invited to apply to the program, starting September 25, 2025. Review "Eligibility Details and Application Materials" prior to applying.
Applications open Thursday, September 25, 2025 and will close 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 1, 2025. Semifinalists will be selected and interviewed in early January 2026 and finalists will be selected in mid-late January 2026.
Throughout the spring 2026 semester, finalists will benefit from tailored mentorship from CPL faculty, staff, and alumni; access to CPL’s broad network of collaborators, alumni, and practitioners; personalized internship search support; and invitations to CPL events and networking opportunities.
Once internships are secured, finalists formally become Gergen Fellows and join a cohort of passionate public servants who meet regularly to build community and develop leadership habits and skills. Stipends of $10,000 USD will be disbursed after finalists submit their formal summer internship offer letter.
Throughout the following academic year, Gergen Fellows will integrate into the larger community of CPL fellows, attending CPL fellows events and receiving continued networking support and mentorship from faculty, staff, and alumni. Fellows will also curate their own unique programming and serve as recruiters and mentors for the next year’s finalists.