2026 University of Chicago The Harris Social Impact Fellowship

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship is a selective, full-time, 11-month program for recent graduates and early career professionals with strong STEM skills and a passion for evidence-based change. Designed by University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy faculty, the fellowship blends intensive training in policy analysis, critical reasoning, and data analytics with a hands-on placement at a top research center or policy institute.

Fellows begin with eight weeks of academic coursework followed by nine months tackling urgent issues like educational equity, climate action, crime reduction, and government efficiency. The experience culminates in a capstone project addressing a real-world policy challenge.

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineDecember 7, 2025
• Study LevelPostdoctoral Fellowships
• SponsorUniversity of Chicago

Benefits

$75K Stipend for living and healthcare expenses

$21K To fully cover fellowship academic credential

Requirements

• 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 prior to the start of the fellowship)
• The nature of this program requires participants be legally authorized to work in the U.S. If you are a U.S. visa holder, you must confirm with the sponsor of that visa whether participation in this program fits within the parameters of your current visa status. The University of Chicago cannot sponsor visas in connection with the program.

Application Documents

• Motivation Statement
• Technical Experience Statement
• Resume
• 1 Letter of Recommendation
• Transcripts

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more details, visit University of Chicago Felowship webpage