PPIA Fellowship
Turn your passion for public service into a powerful future. The PPIA Fellowship is a fully-funded, six-week program that will you the skills, network, and confidence to succeed in graduate school and beyond.
Sands of Time
PPIA Junior Summer Institute
Open to students of all backgrounds, this program is hosted at Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Michigan helps you build the skills, network, and confidence to get there — and upon completing the program, you’ll join our lifelong community as a PPIA Fellow.
Key Dates
Deadline: November 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Decisions: February 26, 2026
Program Dates: Mid‑June to Late July 2026
What You'll Gain
Step into the PPIA Fellowship — a six-week, high-intensity experience that propels rising leaders toward graduate school and beyond. Hosted at one of our Junior Summer Institute sites — top public policy graduate schools at Harvard, Michigan, or Princeton—each with its own area of expertise in public policy and public service, you’ll sharpen your analytical edge, expand your policy expertise, and build a powerful network of peers, faculty, and employers who will champion your journey well beyond the program.
Summer Stipend
Focus fully on the program without financial stress.
Funded Coursework
Graduate‑level classes in domestic and international policy, economics, statistics and leadership.
Books and Housing
Free course materials and on‑campus housing included.
Career Coaching
Personalized guidance to map your next steps.
Your Lifetime Advantage
Becoming a PPIA Fellow opens doors that stay open for years to come. You’ll join a powerful community, access exclusive opportunities, and gain lasting support as you pursue graduate school and a public service career.
Alumni Network (4000+)
Connect with mentors, opportunities, and exclusive programs.
Fellowship Funding
Be considered for funding at participating Consortium schools (some offer fellowships of $5,000+; amounts vary and are not guaranteed).
Application Fee Waivers
Automatically receive fee waivers when applying to Graduate School Consortium programs.
Public Service Exposition Access
Gain lifelong access to our annual career and graduate school fair connecting you with top employers and programs.
*A PPIA Fellow status ensures eligibility for fee waivers and consideration for funding at Consortium member schools; admission and financial assistance are not guaranteed.
Your Path to Applying
Each Junior Summer Institute site reviews applications and selects its own finalists. You can apply to more than one site, and to boost your chances, explore the application details and join our upcoming webinar on how to build a strong application.
Your Application Profile
Tell us your story, experiences, and goals by sharing:
Educational and financial information — Including extracurricular and work experiences
Income verification — FAFSA or official financial aid letter
Your resume — Highlighting academic and professional experiences
All college-level transcripts — From every institution attended
Junior Summer Institute site preferences — Rank your top choices; most admitted students match with one of their top three
Eligibility note — International and undocumented students studying at U.S. colleges are welcome to apply (international students may only apply to Princeton)
Your Recommendation
Ask someone who knows your potential to support your application:
Provide contact details — Share the name and information of one person who can speak to your qualifications
Choose the right person — Ideally someone familiar with your public service involvement or career goals (such as a supervisor from an internship, part-time job, or volunteer role)
We’ll reach out directly — After you submit their information, we’ll contact your recommender with questions about your candidacy
Plan ahead — Make sure your recommender is ready to respond before the November 1 deadline
Your Essays
Show us who you are and the impact you want to make.
Two required essays (500 words each) are required:
Essay 1 — Your Path and Potential
Reflect on how your lived experiences, academic interests, and leadership goals align with PPIA’s mission to expand access, foster inclusive leadership, and strengthen pathways into public service.
Share the impact you hope to make as a future public service leader.
Essay 2 — Your Leadership in Action
Describe experiences that shaped your perspective and values, and how they influence the kind of leader you aspire to be.
Explain how you’ll use these lessons to build trust, strengthen dialogue, and create meaningful impact in your community.
Optional Essay
Share any personal or financial circumstances you feel are important for the selection committee to know.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PPIA Junior Summer Institute (JSI) Fellowship?
The PPIA Fellowship is a six-week summer program that helps rising college juniors prepare for graduate school and careers in public service. Since 1980, it’s supported future leaders in government, nonprofits, public policy, and international organizations. As a Fellow, you’ll build the skills, confidence, and connections to pursue a Master’s or joint degree in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.
Who can apply to PPIA?
We welcome students from all backgrounds who are passionate about public service, inclusive leadership, and creating positive change through policy.
Eligibility
Current undergraduate juniors working toward their first bachelor’s degree at a U.S.-based college or university (graduating between December 2026 and August 2027).
U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and DACA recipients may apply to all Junior Summer Institute sites.
International students enrolled at U.S. institutions may apply to Princeton only.
Why do you only accept undergraduate juniors?
We focus on juniors so that, after completing the Junior Summer Institute, you’ll still have your senior year to build on what you’ve learned—by taking advanced or relevant courses that strengthen your graduate school applications.
What are the dates for the 2026 Junior Summer Institutes?
Exact dates aren’t set yet, but you can expect them to run from mid-June through the end of July, similar to the 2025 schedule.
When will I find out if I’ve been selected?
You’ll get your decision by Friday, January 30, 2026.
If accepted, you’ll need to confirm your spot by Thursday, February 12, 2026.
If you’re on the waitlist, you’ll hear an update by Friday, February 13, 2026.