The Harris Social Impact Fellowship at the University of Chicago is accepting applications for its inaugural 2027–2028 cohort, offering recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong STEM backgrounds an opportunity to develop careers in evidence-based social impact.
The 11-month, full-time fellowship combines intensive policy training with nine months of applied work at leading research centres and policy institutes. Fellows will work on issues including educational equity, climate action, public safety, health equity and government efficiency.
Fellowship Overview
The programme begins in July 2027 and runs through June 2028. It is an in-person programme based at the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus.
• Duration: 11 months, full-time
• Start: July 2027
• Location: University of Chicago, Hyde Park Campus
• Format: In-person
• Cohort: 15 fellows
• Stipend: $75,000 for living and healthcare expenses
• Academic credential: $21,000 in funding to fully cover the fellowship academic credential
The fellowship is designed for technically skilled professionals who want to apply quantitative and analytical expertise to public policy and social impact challenges.
What the Fellowship Offers
The programme begins with eight weeks of intensive academic coursework at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy.
Training covers:
• Research methods and causal inference
• Data analytics and programme evaluation
• Economic analysis and cost-benefit analysis
• Analytical politics and governance
• Quantitative analysis and critical reasoning
• Machine learning and AI applications in social science research
Following the academic component, fellows undertake nine months of immersive applied learning with research centres and policy institutes.
The programme concludes with a capstone project addressing a real-world policy challenge in partnership with a mission-driven organisation.
Applied Research Opportunities
Fellows may contribute to projects through organisations and research centres including the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, Crime Lab, Energy and Environment Lab, Health Lab and Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation.
Potential projects include applying machine learning to social science research, statistical modelling, randomized controlled trials, environmental policy evaluation, health research, urban data analysis and data-driven journalism.
Depending on their placement, fellows may work with large administrative datasets, develop reproducible analytical pipelines, conduct research evaluations, create data visualisations or translate technical findings for policymakers and other audiences.
Professional Development
The fellowship also provides professional development, mentorship and career coaching.
Fellows receive guidance on career direction, CV development and interview preparation, alongside opportunities to connect with faculty, alumni, civic leaders and mission-driven organisations.
After completing the programme, fellows join a continuing alumni community with networking opportunities, an annual retreat and opportunities to engage with future cohorts.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is intended for recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong STEM and technical skills who are interested in evidence-based social impact.
The programme is particularly relevant to applicants who want to combine technical expertise with public policy, research, data analytics and social impact.
The programme highlights applications of skills including:
• Data science and analytics
• Statistics and quantitative research
• Computer science and machine learning
• Economics and applied research
• Engineering and other technical disciplines
• Policy analysis and programme evaluation
The fellowship’s applied projects span education, public safety, health, climate and environmental policy, urban challenges and government effectiveness.
Why the Fellowship Stands Out
The Harris Social Impact Fellowship combines graduate-level policy training, paid professional experience, mentorship and applied research within a single programme.
Rather than focusing solely on classroom learning, fellows spend most of the programme embedded in research and policy environments where their technical skills can contribute to real-world projects.
The programme is expected to select only 15 fellows, making it a highly selective opportunity for candidates seeking to move from technical careers into evidence-based public policy and social impact.
Application
Applications are open for the July 2027 cohort. Prospective applicants should review the fellowship’s eligibility requirements, application requirements, motivation statement, technical experience statement and recommendation requirements before applying.
Programme: Harris Social Impact Fellowship
Institution: University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy
Cohort: 2027–2028
Duration: 11 months
Funding: $75,000 stipend + $21,000 academic credential funding
Location: Chicago, United States
Format: Full-time, in-person
Cohort size: 15 fellows
Start date: July 2027
