The 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 joint degree, in public policy, public administration, international affairs, or a related field.

This fully-funded opportunity equips fellows with the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in graduate school and ultimately, in influential roles serving the public good. Once a student has successfully completed their JSI, they join an alumni network of more than 4,000 leaders. In addition to the opportunities that this network provides for mentoring and career development, our alumni network has the opportunity to receive financial support for their graduate school education if they attend one of the programs in our Graduate School Consortium.

The JSI curriculum includes economics, statistics, domestic/international policy issues and leadership topics, all designed to sharpen the students’ quantitative, analytic and communication skills. Extracurricular activities are included as well. These skills are vital for admission into the top graduate programs in public and international affairs. The successful completion of a summer institute is a requirement for PPIA Fellows to qualify for graduate school benefits.

JUNIOR SUMMER INSTITUTE CAMPUSES

Students who are selected for the Junior Summer Institute cohort will study on the campus of one of our five participating universities:

Carnegie Mellon University – Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy

Princeton University – Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs

University of California, Berkeley – Richard and Rhoda Goldman School of Public Policy

University of Michigan – Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy

University of Minnesota – Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affair

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION?

Full tuition at a PPIA Junior Summer Institute.

Eligibility to receive assistance with travel expenses.

A stipend for incidentals not covered during your JSI (funding determined and varies by each JSI).

University housing with most meals covered.

Books and related course materials at your JSI.

Each JSI may offer additional benefits, such as GRE preparation and study resources at their discretion.

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.

Fee waiver when applying to schools that are members of the PPIA Graduate School Consortium.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

All prospective PPIA Fellows are expected to dedicate themselves to the objectives of the PPIA Junior Summer Institute Program, have a strong commitment to public service, and contribute to diverse perspectives in public policy and international affairs. The following are more specific criteria and guidelines:

If you are a United States citizen, legal permanent resident, or DACA recipient you are eligible to apply to all JSI programs. (International students are eligible for select JSIs – Carnegie Mellon and Princeton – and must be enrolled in a U.S. based institution.)

Applicants must have an expected graduation date between December 2020 and August 2021.

If you will have already completed a bachelor’s degree prior to the start of Junior Summer Institute, you are not eligible to apply.

Must be committed to pursuing a Master’s Degree in public policy and/or international affairs at one of the PPIA Consortium graduate schools.

Must be committed to and demonstrate an interest in pursuing a professional career associated with public service such as government, nonprofits, and humanitarian and international organizations.

Must be interested in contributing to the diversity of perspectives present in the PPIA Junior Summer Institute Program. You must specifically demonstrate involvement in working to improve historically underserved or underrepresented communities, including African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Latinx, Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Economic need is given consideration during the review of applications.

All academic majors are welcome to apply!

For more information click "LINK TO ORIGINAL" below.