Published 10/23/2025 - American Service Fellowship Eligibility

Who is eligible for the American Service Fellowship?

There are academic and professional prerequisites required to apply to the American Service Fellowship. You must have:

A bachelor’s degree with a strong academic record

At least seven years of service in the public sector in the United States. This may include:

Veterans of the U.S. armed forces or active-duty military

People who have served as federal, state, local, or tribal government employees

Town or municipal employees

Alumni of full-time civilian service programs such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps

I used to work in the public sector, but I was laid off. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes! As long as you have a minimum of seven years of public sector work experience in the United States, you are eligible to apply. You do not need to be currently employed to apply.

Am I eligible for the American Service Fellowship if my military experience was completed prior to my bachelor’s degree?

Military service is considered full-time, professional work regardless of whether service is complete before or after college.

Am I eligible to apply if I am a contractor for the federal government?

Contractors are not eligible. Applicants must have at least seven years of full-time public sector work experience within the United States.

Application Process

What is the application process for the American Service Fellowship?

To be considered for the American Service Fellowship, you must complete both an application for admission to the MC/MPA Program and a financial aid application. The admissions application is due Monday, December 1, 2025 at 12 p.m. (noon) ET. The financial aid application will open in November and be due on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 12 p.m. (noon) ET.

Can I select the American Service Fellowship under possible sponsorship in the “Background” section of the admissions application?

No, you will formally apply for the American Service Fellowship through the financial aid application. You can disregard the sponsorship question on the “Background” section of the admissions application (unless another option listed applies to you).

Fellowship Details

Will American Service Fellows be required to be on campus?

Yes, American Service Fellows will be expected to attend the MC/MPA Program fully in-person on our campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Is there an online option for this fellowship?

No, the MC/MPA Program is fully in-person.

What are the key expectations for fellows during and after the program?

In addition to completing the MC/MPA Program, fellows will participate in a yearlong co-curricular program designed by Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. This programming—which is intended to inspire, to provide concrete opportunities for leadership skill-building, and to connect fellows with an interdisciplinary network of like-minded peers that will last a lifetime—will include monthly seminars and experiential learning grounded in discussions with leaders whose work has had a significant impact.