Harvard Kennedy School Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowships
- Omran Aburayya
- May 8
- 2 min read
If you're an aspiring economist or policy researcher with a strong quantitative background and a passion for addressing economic inequality, the Harvard Kennedy School's Reimagining the Economy Project offers a compelling opportunity. Applications are now open for the 2025 Pre-Doctoral Research Fellowships, led by Professors Gordon Hanson and Dani Rodrik. This full-time, fully funded position is ideal for recent graduates seeking to gain hands-on research experience before pursuing a PhD in Economics or Public Policy.
📝 Fellowship Summary
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
Host Institution: Harvard Kennedy School, Malcolm Wiener Center for Social Policy
Level: Pre-Doctoral (Research Fellowship)
Target Group: Graduates in Economics, Public Policy, or related quantitative fields
Fields of Focus: Regional inequality, labor markets, industrial policy, economic resilience
Coverage: Competitive salary; eligibility for Harvard's subsidized healthcare options, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; long-term disability; and tuition assistance program
Duration: 1 year, with the possibility of a second-year renewal
Application Deadline: May 23, 2025
Start Date: Summer 2025
Eligible to: Applicants authorized to work in the U.S.
📚 Fellowship Overview
The Reimagining the Economy Project is a multidisciplinary initiative that examines the regional dimensions of inequality in the U.S. and other countries. Research Fellows will engage in projects that involve constructing and analyzing novel data sets to understand factors contributing to regional economic prosperity and resilience. Key areas of research include:
The impact of industrial and place-based policies on regional economies
Strategies for combating inequality and promoting job creation
Analysis of local labor market impacts due to trade shocks and energy transitions
Political consequences of localized job losses
Fellows will be part of a vibrant research community at the Malcolm Wiener Center, participating in seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects. Previous fellows have successfully transitioned to top-tier PhD programs in Economics and Public Policy.
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
Financial Support: Competitive salary with eligibility for Harvard's subsidized healthcare options, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; long-term disability; and tuition assistance program.
Professional Development: Access to Harvard's academic seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Mentorship: Guidance from leading economists and policy experts.
Career Advancement: Strong track record of fellows advancing to prestigious PhD programs.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Educational Background: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Economics, Public Policy, or a related field with substantial quantitative coursework.
Research Experience: Prior experience as a research assistant or fellow in relevant fields.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Stata; familiarity with R and Python is advantageous.
Academic Excellence: Strong academic record and demonstrated interest in economics and public policy research.
Communication Skills: Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States.
📄 Application Procedure
To apply, candidates must:
Complete the online application form.
Submit the following documents as a single PDF:
Curriculum Vitae (including GPA for all degrees completed)
Cover Letter detailing research experience and proficiency in statistical and programming tools
Official or unofficial transcripts for all degrees earned
An excerpt from a single-authored academic writing sample (5 pages or less)
Brief coding sample in Stata
Contact information for three academic or professional references.
ℹ️ Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and must be complete to be considered. Shortlisted candidates may be required to complete a technical exercise and participate in multiple interviews.
🔗 OFFICIAL LINK
