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Eligibility and Application Procedures

Graduate-level students who will continue with their studies in the 2017-18 academic year at local universities, including Harvard University, MIT, Boston University, Suffolk University, Northeastern University, UMass Boston, Brandeis, and Tufts University, who are studying in programs with public-policy implications for the Greater Boston metropolitan area or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are eligible for our program.

Students can come from a wide range of fields, including: architecture and design, business administration, economics, education, ethnic studies, divinity, engineering, environmental studies, geography, medicine, nursing, political science, public health, psychology, public policy, sociology, urban policy and planning, and women's studies. Students from other disciplines are welcome to apply for internships as well, as long as their study somehow relates to public policy issues in Greater Boston. (Law students at local law schools are eligible for a separate Rappaport internship program coordinated by the Rappaport Center for Law and Public Service. For more information, contact Lissy Medvedow, Executive Director.)

For more information

There are three ways to learn more about the Rappaport Institute Public Policy Fellow Program:

  1. Attend an informational session at your campus this fall. We are currently working to have at least one informational session at the following campuses this fall. More details will be released as they are confirmed this fall. Please check the Rappaport Institute website for updates and information.
  2. Contact Polly O'Brien at 617-495-5091 or by email with any questions you might have.
  3. Explore the Public Policy Summer Fellowship pages for more detailed information. If you still have questions, please attend one of our information sessions or contact Polly O'Brien at 617-495-5091 or by email.

Application Materials

Applications should include

  • A cover letter, addressed to Ms. Polly O'Brien, Associate Director of the Rappaport Institute, that includes a list of issues and public agencies that interest you;
  • A resume;
  • A statement of 500 to 1,000 words that describes an public policy issue or issues that you would be interested in working on, why the issue interests you and some preliminary thoughts on a project for the summer; and
  • A writing sample, two to five pages in length, from any work that represents your ability to explore complex policy issues.

Please submit your application on single-sided paper with a paper clip (PLEASE DO NOT STAPLE OR PUT IN A FOLDER)and a footer in the lower right corner of each page that states your name and “Fellowship Program.”

Applications should be sent to:

Fellowship Application
Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston
Kennedy School of Government
79 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Applications are due by January 20, 2017.

2017 Public Policy Fellowship Deadlines

Application Deadline: Friday, January 20, 2017
First Round Candidates Announced: Friday, February 3, 2017
Recommendations Deadline: Wednesday, February 15, 2017
2016 Public Policy Fellows Announced: late February - early March 2017