PPIA Junior Summer Institute Fellowship Program
Turn your passion for public service into a powerful future. The PPIA Fellowship is a fully-funded, seven-week program at a Junior Summer Institute hosted by one of three Universities.  You will gain the skills, network, and confidence to succeed in graduate school and beyond.

Step into the PPIA Fellowship which is a seven-week, high-intensity experience that propels rising leaders toward graduate school and beyond. Hosted at one of our Junior Summer Institute sites, including top public policy graduate schools at Harvard, Princeton or the University of Michigan, 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.

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.

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.
• 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.

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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.  

PPIA Junior Summer Institute
Open to students of all backgrounds, this program is hosted at Harvard, Princeton, and the University of Michigan. It 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.

Email: office@ppiaprogram.org

Questions about the PPIA Junior Summer Institute: Email: apply@ppiaprogram.org