The Harris Social Impact Fellowship 2025-2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Aug 11
- 3 min read
If you’re passionate about translating data into meaningful change, the Harris Social Impact Fellowship invites you to step into an immersive, evidence-driven leadership journey. Offered by the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy, this selective, full-time 11-month program is tailored for recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong STEM or analytical backgrounds. With a rigorous curriculum and real-world placements, it equips fellows to tackle pressing issues with policy excellence.
🎓 Fellowship Summary
Location: University of Chicago, Hyde Park Campus (Chicago, IL, USA)
Host Institution: Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago
Level: Fellowship (non-degree), early-career post-bachelor
Target Group: Recent graduates or early-career professionals with strong STEM or quantitative skills; U.S. work authorization required (no visa sponsorship)
Fields of Focus: Evidence-based policymaking, data analytics, economic analysis, analytical politics, public sector challenges (education, equity, crime, climate, government efficiency)
Coverage:
Living & Healthcare Stipend: $75,000
Academic Credential Funding: $21,000
Duration: 11 months, full-time (July 2026 – June 2027)
Application Deadline: Recruitment began July 31, 2025, and applications expire October 19, 2025
Start Date: July 2026 cohort kick-off (academic coursework)
Eligible To: Individuals with bachelor's degrees by start date; must be authorized to work in the U.S.; no visa support provided
📘 Fellowship Structure
Academic Coursework (8 weeks): Intensive faculty-led instruction encompassing data analytics, economic analysis, and analytical politics—covering machine learning, cost-benefit analysis, social welfare, game theory, governance models, and more .
Immersive Applied Learning (9 months): Placement at leading centers and institutes such as:
Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab
Urban Labs (Education Lab, Crime Lab)
Mansueto Institute for Urban Innovation
Fellows address real policy challenges around equity, public safety, climate action, etc.
Capstone Project (Spring Quarter): A culminating initiative where fellows partner with mission-driven organizations to produce actionable, data-driven policy solutions. These are showcased to peers, policymakers, and employers
👩🏻⚖️ Professional Development & Community
Mentorship & Career Coaching: Personalized guidance, resume/interview prep, one-on-one coaching, and access to a powerful professional network of faculty, alumni, and policy practitioners
Lifelong Community & Alumni Network:
Annual retreat
Junior board placement opportunities
Continued networking and engagement across cohorts
🎁 Fellowship Benefits
Full financial support for living, healthcare, and academic credential
Rigorous training in quantitative and policy analysis tools
Immersive real-world experience in top-tier policy labs and institutions
Capstone project to showcase applied skills in a tangible deliverable
Career development including personalized coaching and elite networking
Ongoing alumni engagement and professional community support
✅ Eligibility Criteria
Bachelor’s degree conferred prior to the fellowship start (July 2026)
Strong background in STEM or quantitative/analytical work
Legal authorization to work in the U.S. (visa holders need to verify eligibility independently)
Commitment to full-time, in-person participation on Chicago campus
📝BApplication Procedure
Application Submission: Open now (from July 31, 2025) and closes on October 19, 2025
Materials Needed: Typically includes:
Resume/CV
Academic transcripts (likely unofficial at first)
Statement of purpose or personal essays
Letters of recommendation
Visa/work authorization documentation (if applicable)
Additional Resources
Virtual Info Session: Scheduled for September 9, 2025 (Central Daylight Time | CDT), featuring Austin Wright (Faculty Director) and Ashley Mayer (Program Director). Covers application process, program design, and candidate guidance .
Final Thoughts
With its fusion of rigorous training, hands-on policy work, and a supportive professional ecosystem, the Harris Social Impact Fellowship stands out as a powerful launchpad for technically skilled changemakers. If you're driven to harness evidence for transformative impact, this could be your next big step.
Would you like help crafting tailored application essays, preparing for that info session, or comparing other similar fellowships?