Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) American Service Fellowship 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Aug 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 1
If you're a U.S. public servant—whether in the armed forces, a local school, city hall, or a national service program—and your dedication has been unwavering. Now, the applications are open for the American Service Fellowship 2026 at Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), a new, fully funded opportunity designed exclusively for you. This one-year, on-campus Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) fellowship covers full tuition, fees, and includes a stipend, offering a powerful springboard for public leadership. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity!
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (Harvard Kennedy School, on-campus)
Study Level: Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) — 1-year full-time master’s program
Target Group: U.S. public servants with 7+ years of service—military veterans/active-duty, federal/state/local government employees (e.g., teachers, firefighters, police), alumni of national service programs like Peace Corps or AmeriCorps
Fields of Study: Public service, leadership, policy, public administration — fully customizable curriculum; leadership development within a diverse public-service peer cohort
Value & Coverage: $100,000, covering full tuition, fees, and providing a living stipend
Duration: One academic year (2026-27)
Application Deadline:
Admission application opens early September 2025; deadline: December 1, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. ET (noon)
Financial aid application due early January (2026)
Decisions announced in mid-March 2026
Start Date: Fall 2026 (one-year MC/MPA cohort 2026-27)
Eligible To: U.S. public servants, including military veterans/active-duty, government employees, teachers, first responders, national service alumni with at least seven years of public service in the U.S.
📚 Fellowship Overview
The American Service Fellowship is a fully funded, one-year MC/MPA scholarship at Harvard Kennedy School, created to honor and elevate public servants from across the United States. This inaugural cohort of at least 50 fellows—representing all 50 states—will benefit from a customizable curriculum, peer leadership cohort, access to Harvard-wide academic and career resources, and structured leadership development opportunities . The fellowship marks the largest single-year scholarship program in HKS history, funded by philanthropic donations specifically raised for this initiative .
📚 Benefits
$100,000 covering:
Full tuition, fees, and providing a living stipend
✅ Eligibility Criteria
A minimum of 7 years of public service in the U.S.—military, government roles, national service programs.
Demonstrated leadership and professional achievement.
Ability to commit to a full-time, one-year, on-campus program at Harvard Kennedy School .
🔍 Selection Criteria:
Applications are evaluated holistically based on:
Academic and intellectual potential.
Professional achievements and leadership.
Motivation and values tied to public service .
📝 Application Procedure
HKS Admission Application:
Complete the application for admission to HKS’s MC/MPA Program.
Opens early September 2025, deadline: December 1, 2025 at 12 p.m.
Fee waived for fellowship applicants .
HKS Financial Aid Application:
Available later in fall 2025; due early January 2026.
Completing this automatically places you in consideration for the American Service Fellowship .
Supporting Materials:
Official/unofficial transcripts (unofficial acceptable at time of application).
Letters of recommendation highlighting leadership, intellectual potential, commitment to service.
Resume/CV showcasing work history, achievements, public service roles, extracurriculars.
GRE/GMAT not required (optional).
Proof of English proficiency if applicable (TOEFL, etc.) .
Notification of Decision:
Mid-March 2026—notification to successful applicants .
ℹ️ Additional Useful Information
This is a pilot initiative; the first cohort is for the 2026-27 academic year .
Half the cohort is expected to be military veterans, and half from broader public service sectors. Nationwide outreach aims for representation from every U.S. state .
The program builds upon HKS’s long legacy of developing public leaders, including over 25,000 degree students reflecting service across government, military, and nonprofits
The application fee is waived for fellowship applicants—a notable advantage .
💡 Final Thoughts
The American Service Fellowship 2026 represents an extraordinary opportunity to amplify your impact as a public servant at one of the world’s premier institutions in public policy. With full funding, a leadership-focused curriculum, and a diverse cohort of peers, this fellowship positions you to transform your public service career—and your community.
