HKS Center for Public Leadership: Equity Fellowship Grant

HKS Center for Public Leadership: Equity Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) - Harvard University
Last Updated: February 23, 2026

Summary

The HKS Center for Public Leadership's Equity Fellowship aims to empower diverse, talented students committed to promoting equity within society. This fellowship offers financial support for a master's degree at Harvard Kennedy School, along with a comprehensive leadership development program. Recipients will connect with exceptional peers and mentors, focusing on enhancing their impact in communities, particularly among marginalized populations. The fellowship encourages applications from individuals with a demonstrated commitment to addressing disparities across various sectors.

Overview

Harvard Kennedy School’s mission is to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous. By combining cutting-edge research, the teaching of outstanding students, and direct interaction with practitioners, we have an impact on solving public problems that no other institution can match. Center for Public Leadership The Center for Public Leadership’s mission is to inspire and enhance the capacity for principled, effective public leadership in government, politics, civil society, and business. We bring together faculty, students, and practitioners to bridge theory and practice in scholarship, education, and community. Equity Fellowship The CPL Equity Fellowship Program recruits top-tier students from all backgrounds who plan to devote their careers to understanding and dismantling barriers to equity across society. The CPL Equity Fellowship supports students across three different areas of focus: the Black/African American community in the United States the Latino community in the United States global marginalized populations Students applying for this fellowship must indicate one area of focus they would like to pursue within the Equity Fellowship. What We Offer The fellowship provides: One year of financial support toward a master's degree program at Harvard Kennedy School A comprehensive co-curricular program to augment your leadership development A network of exceptional peers and mentors who will enhance your ability to impact the communities you serve Recipients of the CPL Equity Fellowship will receive a need-based scholarship plus an annual living stipend for the course of their study at HKS. Financial support is only provided for the cost of attendance at HKS, joint or concurrent degree students will receive financial aid from the fellowship when HKS is their school in residence as determined by the financial aid office.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The fellowship is open to all newly-admitted degree program students at HKS. Students from all backgrounds are eligible; Students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. Applicants will be considered based on their academic credentials and demonstrated leadership promise, interest, and work in reducing disparities in African American, Latino, and other underserved communities.