Postgraduate Public Service Fellowship
Application Deadline: February 18, 2026
Postgraduate Public Service Fellowships support meaningful public service projects undertaken after graduation. Projects may be of any length between 3 and 12 months. The Fellowship will not fund proposals for degrees.
For these purposes, a public service project is defined as work that:
- Helps people meet their needs for food, shelter, and/or health;
- Improves educational and/or employment opportunities;
- Educates people about their legal and/or civil rights;
- Protects the environment and/or wildlife
There are two separate named fellowships, but candidates will submit their application to the group of fellowships, not to any one particular fellowship.
- Pforzheimer Fellowship: 3 to 12 months long projects
- Richardson Fellowship: 10 to 12 months long projects
URAF recommends that applicants read reports from previous fellows to get an idea of the variety of eligible public service projects and heavily research the logistics of the proposed activities in country. Applications for projects under 3 months or longer than 12 months will not be considered.
Applicants must be graduating Harvard College seniors of any citizenship/residency status. As with all URAF opportunities, applicants must be in good standing, academic and disciplinary.
The fellowship carries up to a $37,500 stipend to support living and work expenses associated with carrying out a public service-related project.
Applications for this opportunity are assessed on the following metrics:
- Commitment to public service and leadership
- Proposed project: definition of public service-focused activities, candidate’s unique role
- Project logistics: feasibility, sensibility, safety, affiliation
- Background and preparation: pre-requisite physical, interpersonal, academic, or language skills
- Recommendation letter: confirmation of public service commitment, skills, capacity for success
Applications are read by staff and faculty selection committee. In late March, approximately 20 finalists are selected to interview. Interviews are conducted asynchronously in early April. Awards are announced shortly thereafter.
The application consists of a few parts that you will complete or solicit via the application system (link below). All items are due by our deadline, including letter(s).
- Online Application Form
- Provide basic information about yourself (background, major, interests, etc.).
- Proposal Essay (max 1,000 words)
- Explain why you are seeking the fellowship.
- Describe how you plan to use the fellowship for your project.
- Budget + Brief Budget Narrative
- List all expected project expenses (e.g., travel, accommodations, food, visas, health insurance, supplies, research access fees, tuition).
- Include a short explanation of your expenses in a budget narrative (no longer than one-page).
- Letter of Recommendation (1 required)
- Should address your project’s suitability, your commitment to public service, and your leadership.
- Does not need to be from a faculty member—choose someone who knows your service work well.
- Must be addressed to The Postgraduate Public Service Fellowship Selection Committee.
- Optional: Affiliation Letter
- Required only if working with an established organization.
- Should confirm your role, duties, hours, compensation (if any), and project length.
- Should include basic information about the organization.
- Resume (max 1 page)
- Include significant activities, achievements, and experiences from college. Highlight values, interests, extracurriculars, and hobbies.
- Transcript
- Upload your unofficial transcript from my.harvard.edu. Must include fall course grades and spring course registration.
Information Session
December 1, 2025, 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Sever 103
URAF staff are available for drop-in advising and for one-on-one appointments after students have watched the information session and joined us for one drop-in session.