Kennedy School launches Native American public service fellowship

The Kennedy School of Government (KSG) has announced a new full-tuition Native American Public Service Fellowship (NAPSF), to be awarded to an individual who has demonstrated commitment to matters of concern to Native American tribes. Areas of focus may include (but are not limited to) tribal self-governance and policy.

The fellowship carries a $7,500 annual stipend (and KSG Summer Program fees, where applicable) and will be awarded to an entering full-time student in any of the School’s master’s degree programs for either one or two years depending on the length of the incumbent’s academic program. Recipients agree to accept employment in some form of public service directly benefiting Native Americans for a minimum of three years immediately following completion of the Kennedy School degree.

“Native American tribes and communities face unique opportunities and challenges relating to education, health policy, economic growth, and housing,” said KSG Dean David Ellwood. “This fellowship is another way that Harvard and the Kennedy School can help serve them as they grow and change in the years ahead.”

Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy Joe Kalt, co-director of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development (HPAIED), said, “The development of successful tribal self-governance on Indian lands has improved the lives of many Native Americans, and this new fellowship at the Kennedy School will provide additional human resources on the ground in many areas, to help advance this encouraging trend.” Native American candidates for the fellowship will be given preference in the selection process. The selections will be made by a committee consisting of a Harvard faculty member, the Kennedy School’s directors of financial aid and admissions, the director of Harvard University’s Native American Program, and a student representative of the Kennedy School’s Native American Caucus.

Applications for the inaugural NAPSF may be submitted through April 7 and should consist of a current resume, a brief statement of particular qualifications and purposes, and where applicable, proof of tribal enrollment. For application information, visit http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/financialaid.