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

Fully-funded, rigorous academic graduate level preparation program for students committed to public service careers.

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 is considered

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 improve underserved or 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, which provides rigorous academic graduate level preparation for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers. The program seeks to address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions, 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 the students’ quantitative, analytic and communication skills. Extracurricular activities are included as well. These skills are vital for admission into the top graduate programs in public and international affairs. The successful completion of a summer institute is a requirement for PPIA Fellows to qualify for graduate school benefits. 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, the 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.

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 and varies by each JSI)
  • University housing with most meals covered
  • Books and related course materials at your JSI
  • 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, Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs, Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy, Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy, Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and Washington's Evans School of Public Policy and Governance

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

Additional Information: Please read answers to frequently asked questions.

Deadline Information

National Deadline: Tuesday, November 1, 2022

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.

Eligibility Requirements

All prospective PPIA Fellows are expected to dedicate themselves to the objectives of the PPIA Junior Summer Institute Program, have a strong commitment to public service, and contribute to diverse perspectives in public policy and international affairs. The following are more specific criteria and guidelines:

  • U.S. Citizens, legal permanent residents, and DACA recipients are eligible to apply to all JSI programs
  • International students are eligible to apply for the JSI programs at Carnegie Mellon, Princeton, and Washington 
  • Applicants must have an expected graduation date between December 2023 and August 2024
  • Must be committed to pursuing a Master's Degree in public policy and/or international affairs at one of the PPIA Consortium graduate schools
  • Must be committed to and demonstrate an interest in pursuing a professional career associated with public service such as government, nonprofits, and humanitarian and international organizations
  • Must be interested in contributing to the diversity of perspectives present in the PPIA Junior Summer Institute Program 
  • Must demonstrate specific involvement in working to improve historically underserved or underrepresented communities, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Latinx, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders
  • Economic need is given consideration during the review of applications
  • All academic majors are welcome to apply

Application Process

Please see detailed application requirements and essay prompts here. Applications for summer 2022 are available here.

For more information on this opportunity, please contact: 
Jenna Sarchio