About the programme
Designed for recent graduates and early-career professionals with strong STEM skills. Fellows start with eight weeks of coursework in research methods, economic analysis, analytical politics and data analytics, then spend nine months in applied learning with Urban Labs, the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab, or the Mansueto Institute, ending with a capstone project for a mission-driven partner. Cohort of 15 fellows in Hyde Park, Chicago.
Eligibility
- Demonstrated capacity for serious technical, quantitative or analytical work, e.g. through coursework, research or work experience
- Recent college graduate or early-career professional; bachelor's degree must be conferred before the fellowship starts
- Authorised to work in the United States; the University cannot sponsor visas for this programme and the fellowship does not qualify for STEM OPT extension
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What they look for
- Early-career professionals with fewer than two years of experience are the focus of the inaugural cohort
What you will need
- Motivation statement
- Technical experience statement
- Resume
- One letter of recommendation
- Transcripts
How to apply
- Application submission deadline 19 October 2026 per the timeline table, while the stated deadline to apply is 29 November 2026 at 11:59 PM CT
- Take-home technical assessment in mid-late November 2026
- Virtual interviews in early-mid December 2026
- Lab matching interviews and on-campus interview day in mid-late January 2027
Applications are submitted on University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy’s own site. Open Doors helps you prepare; it is not the official application portal.
Who received it before
The inaugural cohort averaged age 22 and came from a range of technical and quantitative backgrounds, with 2026-2027 fellows drawn from universities such as MIT, Washington University in St. Louis, Smith College and Cornell.
- Alor Sahoo, 2026-2027 fellow, B.S. Computer Science and B.S. Writing, MIT
- Marilee Karinshak, 2026-2027 fellow, B.A. Environmental Analysis, Washington University in St. Louis
- Kate Flöer, 2026-2027 fellow, B.A. Statistical and Data Sciences and Biological Sciences, Smith College
- Sabrina Chow, 2026-2027 fellow, B.A. Computational Biology, Cornell University
From the programme’s own pages.
From people who applied
No notes yet.
Source and verification
- Official source
- University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy
- Last checked
- 10 Nov 2026, read automatically from the official page
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