fbpx Public Policy Leadership Conference | Harvard Kennedy School

The 22nd Annual Public Policy Leadership Conference (PPLC) will be held in October 2022. The application for the conference will be available in May 2022. 

The PPLC inspires talented and driven undergraduate students to pursue careers in public policy and become leaders in:

  • Federal, state, or local governments
  • Nongovernmental organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Intergovernmental organizations
  • International institutions
  • Social enterprises

During the PPLC, you will have the chance to learn about what it means to study public policy in a graduate school environment and will have opportunities to connect with current HKS students, faculty, and staff as well as other high-achieving undergraduate students.

You will also receive information about possible fellowship and scholarship opportunities that could help fund your HKS graduate studies. 

The PPLC brings together talented undergraduates from around the country who are interested in pursuing graduate studies in public policy.

Our PPLC alumni have written about their experiences at the conference. Yours could be among them. Learn about student eligibility requirements, application requirements, and more below to submit a complete and competitive application. If you have any additional questions, please contact PPLC Admissions. 

Eligibility Requirements & Application Process
What materials are required for an application?

If you are interested in applying to the conference, we require you to submit: 

  • Your online application form
  • Your resume 
  • A personal statement essay 
  • A letter of recommendation (we advise that you ask your recommender as early as possible) 
  • An undergraduate academic transcript, which may be unofficial
Am I eligible to apply?

To be considered for PPLC, you must: 

  •  Be enrolled in a two- or four- year U.S. institution at the time of the conference
  • Have completed at least 2 academic semesters at a two- or four- year U.S. institution at time of the conference
  • Not be scheduled to receive a bachelor's degree in the 2021-2022 academic year 
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, or non-citizen U.S. national
  • Have a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above 
  • Demonstrate an abiding commitment to public service through activism, student leadership, civic participation at school, in your community, or through volunteering. These details should be included in your resume and personal statement essay. 
What is the application deadline?

This year's  PPLC application will be available in May 2022, at which point the application deadline will be announced. 

Former Mayor of Washington, DC Anthony Williams MPP 1987 speaks with PPLC participants.
Submit your PPLC 2021 application by Thursday, July 8 at 5 p.m. ET.
Apply Now
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