PPIA Junior Summer Institute

The PPIA Junior Summer Institute is a rigorous academic graduate-level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers.

Overview

The Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute (JSI) Fellowship Program is a rigorous academic graduate-level preparation program for undergraduate juniors committed to public service careers. The program was started to address the lack of diversity across the spectrum of professional public service, including government, nonprofits, public policy institutions, and international organizations.

The purpose of the JSI Fellowship is to prepare students to obtain a Master’s or a joint degree in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field. The JSI curriculum includes economics, statistics, domestic/international policy issues, and leadership topics, all designed to sharpen the students’ quantitative, analytic, and communication skills. These skills are vital for admission into top public and international affairs graduate programs.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or DACA recipient (international students are eligible for select JSIs – Carnegie Mellon, Princeton, and University of Washington – and must be enrolled at a U.S.-based institution)
  • Have an expected graduation date between December 2024 and August 2025
  • Be committed to pursuing a Master’s degree in public policy and/or international affairs at one of the PPIA Consortium graduate schools

Economic need is given consideration during the review of applications. All academic majors are welcome to apply.

Award

Benefits of participation include full tuition at a PPIA Junior Summer Institute, eligibility to receive assistance with travel expenses, a stipend for incidentals not covered by your JSI, university housing with most meals covered, books and related course materials at your JSI, and possible additional benefits such as GRE preparation and study resources.

Additionally, participants will receive a minimum of a one-time $5,000 scholarship at a PPIA graduate school if admitted for a Master’s degree (PPIA Fellows often receive financial offers above and beyond this minimum from their graduate program). Participants will also receive a fee waiver when applying to schools that are members of the PPIA Graduate School Consortium.

Application Status

Closed (will open in Fall 2024)

National Deadline

TBA

Learn more about the PPIA Junior Summer Institute