PPIA Fellowship

PPIA Fellowship

The PPIA Fellowship grants future public policy leaders access to the Junior Summer Institute (JSI), a fully funded and rigorous graduate school preparation program, and lifetime participation in PPIA's Alumni Network and annual Public Service Expo.

About the Fellowship

The foundation of the PPIA Fellowship is access to the JSI Program. Hosted at some of the top graduate policy schools in the nation, these six-week summer programs prepare students with the knowledge and network to succeed in the field of public service.


Once students have completed the Junior Summer Institute, they join an Alumni Network of more than 5,000 leaders, providing ongoing connections, opportunities, and programs. All alumni enjoy lifetime access to our annual Public Service Expo.


In addition to the opportunities this network provides for mentoring and career development, our Alumni Network has the opportunity to receive financial support for their graduate school education if they attend one of the programs in our Graduate School Consortium.


Graduate School Preparation

Networking

Opportunities

Summer Stipend for Participation

PPIA Fellowship: Building a Strong Foundation in Public Affairs

The foundation of the PPIA Fellowship, the JSI experience builds knowledge in economics, statistics, domestic & international policy studies, and leadership topics. During their time at their JSI, students will build valuable relationships with like-minded peers, graduate schools, and employers alike.


JSIs take place at one of six prestigious partner campuses.

PPIA Fellowship Benefits

Summer benefits include:


  • Summer stipend to facilitate full participation in the JSI program.
  • Fully-funded summer coursework at one of our prestigious university partner campuses.
  • Free books and course materials for the JSI program.
  • University housing during the JSI program.
  • Career guidance and coaching during the JSI program.


Alumni benefits include:


  • Guaranteed application fee waivers when applying to programs in our Graduate School Consortium.
  • At minimum, a one-time fellowship of $5,000 from a Consortium member school upon acceptance. However, many fellows receive fellowships well above this amount.*
  • Lifetime participation in our annual Public Service Expo, a conference gathering employers and graduate schools to interface with PPIA program participants.


*JSI alumni status only guarantees minimum financial assistance at a Consortium member school, not admission.

PPIA Fellowship Sites

Our PPIA Fellows are hosted at a top public policy graduate school during the Junior Summer Institute. Each institution has its own specialization in public policy and public service.

Applicants can apply for multiple sites. To learn more about how to present a strong application, review the application and join us at one of our upcoming webinars. Dates for 2025 TBD.

Follow the links below to learn more about our PPIA Fellowship Sites.

The Application Components

The PPIA Fellowship Application has three parts.

  • 1. Demographic Information

    The application will ask you to provide information on your personal, educational, financial, extracurricular, and work background. Documentation submitted will include income verification, FAFSA or official financial aid letter, and your resume.


    Applicants will also be asked to give preference to their PPIA JSI host site to assist in the selection process. Admitted students normally match with a JSI host site ranked in their top three.


    International and undocumented students studying at a college or university in the United States are encouraged to apply.

  • 2. Letter of Recommendation

    The required recommendation letter should come from someone familiar with your public service activities and/or career interests. This individual can be someone who is/was your supervisor in a professional setting (internship, part-time job, volunteer organization, etc.). 


    Alternatively, you may provide a letter from somone familiar with your educational accomplishments (i.e. professor, academic advisor, etc.) and can speak to your public service activities and/or career interests.


    A second optional recommendation letter may be submitted.

  • 3. Personal Statements

    To complete the applications, all applicants will upload three 500 word essays.


    • What are your public service career goals? How will participating in a PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) help you achieve these goals?

    • Diversity of all kinds is important to enriching the educational experience at colleges and universities. Please share with us life experiences that have shaped your perspectives and how they are contributing to the classroom and community at your college or university.

    • Given your interest in the PPIA Fellowship, why do you want to pursue a master's degree related to public policy and/ or international affairs? What specific skills do you want to gain this summer as you consider your academic and career goals?

    JSI sites with data and law concentrations may ask for an additional essay related to their program.


    You may also submit an optional extenuating circumstances essay, where you may provide additional personal or financial information you feel is pertinent to the selection process.

Ready to Apply?

Applications are currently closed for the 2024 PPIA Fellowship.


Applications for the 2025 PPIA Fellowship will open in September 2024.


Please check back for future updates to the 2025 application process and timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why do you only accept college juniors?

    This requirement is designed to allow PPIA Fellows time after completion of the JSI to take classes during their senior year to improve, if necessary, in a particular area of study or to register for classes that are more relevant for admission into graduate programs in public and international affairs.


  • I am not part of a historically underrepresented community. Does that make me ineligible or otherwise affect my application?

    All individuals are welcome to apply. If you can demonstrate involvement with diverse communities or convey how your cross-cultural experiences enable you to contribute to PPIA’s goal of building a diverse and more representative generation of leaders then your application will tend to be considered more favorably.

  • Economic need is listed as part of the eligibility to apply. Are individuals from higher incomes eligible?

    All other factors being equal, a student from an economically disadvantaged background will receive extra consideration. However, students are not disqualified based on wealth and there is typically some degree of socioeconomic diversity among PPIA Fellows.

  • What can I do to make my application stand out?

    PPIA is interested in knowing your aspirations in public service, how your background informs your goals, and how a specific JSI site may help facilitate said goals. Try to capture these narratives in your resume and especially in your personal statements! 

  • When will I know if I have been selected and is there a waitlist?

    Applicants will be notified of their selection status in February. If you are placed on the waitlist, you will receive additional information on the decision timeline from the host site.

  • If I am accepted, will I have to pay anything?

    No, if you are accepted to attend a Junior Summer Institute the host university will help you pay for travel expenses, cover the cost of tuition, provide housing and meals, supply all books and materials you need for your courses, and give you a stipend to cover incidental costs throughout the summer.

Want to Know More?

Watch our recorded webinar below for a deep dive on the PPIA Fellowship and to hear from our campus partners about what makes their experience unique.

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