Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute Fellowship Program

PPIA Junior Summer Institute: At a Glance

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, and international students (Carnegie Mellon, Princeton, and Washington programs only)
• Third-year students
• Intent to pursue a master’s in public policy and/or international affairs

Selection Criteria:

• Commitment to a public service career
• Engagement with historically underserved or underrepresented communities
• Economic need 

Candidates for the PPIA can affirm the following statements:

• I intend to obtain a graduate degree and pursue a public service career.
• I am adequately prepared for a rigorous academic summer program in economics, statistics, domestic/international policy and leadership topics.
• I can demonstrate activities through which I have worked to serve underrepresented communities, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Latinx, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Extensive Description

What is the Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute Fellowship Program? The PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) is a fully-funded summer program that provides rigorous academic graduate level preparation for third-year undergraduate committed to public service careers. The program seeks to address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service institutions, including government, nonprofits, public policy, and international organizations. The purpose of the JSI Fellowship is to prepare students to obtain a master’s or joint degree, in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.

The JSI curriculum includes economics, statistics, domestic/international policy issues and leadership topics, all designed to sharpen students’ quantitative, analytic and communication skills. These skills are vital for admission into the top graduate programs in public and international affairs. Extracurricular activities are included as well. Once a student has successfully completed their JSI, they join an alumni network of more than 4,000 leaders. In addition to the opportunities that this network provides for mentoring and career development, program alumni have the opportunity to receive financial support for their graduate school education if they attend one of the programs in PPIA’s Graduate School Consortium. The successful completion of a summer institute is a requirement for PPIA Fellows to qualify for graduate school benefits.

Program Benefits: 

• Full tuition at a PPIA Junior Summer Institute
• Eligibility to receive assistance with travel expenses
• A stipend for incidentals not covered during your JSI (funding determined by each JSI)
• University housing with most meals covered
• Books and related course materials
• Each JSI may offer additional benefits, such as GRE preparation and study resources at their discretion
• Minimum of a one-time $5,000 scholarship at a PPIA graduate school if admitted for a master’s degree (PPIA Fellows often receive financial offers above and beyond this minimum from their graduate program)
• Fee waiver when applying to schools that are members of the PPIA Graduate School Consortium

PPIA Junior Summer Institute Campuses: Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs, UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy, University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy, Harvard University's Kennedy School

Program Dates: Institutes begin in early- to mid-June, and end in late-July to early-August.

Additional Information: Find answers to FAQs here.

Responsibilities

All prospective PPIA Fellows are expected to dedicate themselves to the traditions and objectives of the PPIA Fellowship Program, have an abiding commitment to public service and contribute to more diverse perspectives in public policy and international affairs.