Shorenstein Fellowships

Self-directed fellowship for leaders and scholars working at the intersection of media, technology, politics, and public policy.

Since its founding in 1986, the Shorenstein Center has hosted fellows from across media, technology, politics, and public policy to explore how essential information is created, conveyed, and consumed. Our fellowship program is central to this mission.

The program brings together journalists, technologists, scholars, policymakers, and political practitioners to pursue independent work while contributing to the Center’s broader research community. Fellows produce original content—such as op-eds, essays, or stories—that advances public understanding of the information ecosystem.

Fellowship FAQs

Who should apply?

We welcome mid- to senior-career professionals from a wide range of backgrounds, including:

Journalists, news influencers and creators
Civic tech and media innovators
Nonfiction authors and scholars in fields like political science or media studies
Policymakers, political advisors, and policy analysts

The Shorenstein Center actively encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and across the political spectrum.

Documentary film professionals and scholars should apply for the Documentary Film in the Public Interest Fellowship

What's expected of a fellow?

Fellows are expected to:

Produce original content—such as a short expert commentary, story, or op-ed—that aligns with the Center’s mission.
Engage with the Center’s research community through participating in events, mentoring students, and advising on Center projects

What’s the experience of a Shorenstein Fellow?

Fellows work independently on projects developed in collaboration with the Center. All fellowships are one year in length and mostly remote, though Boston-based fellows are welcome to use the Center’s on-campus resources. Travel stipends to Cambridge may be available for fellows participating in events or campus activities.

Fellows receive support from Shorenstein Center staff, a Harvard email account, and access to Harvard library resources—both online and in person—during the fellowship term. They are encouraged to build relationships across the Kennedy School and the broader Harvard community.

The fellowship program is unpaid and free to participate in. However, a limited number of funded fellowships are available for applicants with relevant experience and focus areas. Please see the following section for more details.

After the fellowship ends, alumni are invited to remain engaged through continued writing, events, and student programming; however, access to Harvard systems, including email and library resources, concludes at the end of the fellowship term.

Do you have any funded fellowships available?

The Shorenstein Center has limited funds available to support a few fellows who advance a more substantial research project and more deeply engage with our community during their fellowship term. Funding may be available for:

High-profile leaders—such as prominent journalists, technologists, or public figures—pursuing significant research projects and active involvement with the Center and our broader research community. (Walter Shorenstein fellows)
Authors working on nonfiction books related to media, politics, and public policy. (Rosenthal Writers-in-Residence)
Technologists or scholars exploring how technology shapes the information ecosystem. (Schuster fellow)

Applicants interested in a funded fellowship should indicate this in their application (see below).

How can I apply?

Please submit your application here. Applications are rolling and onboarding occurs each September and January. If you are interested in a funded fellowship, please indicate this by answering the last question in the application (labeled “Funding”). Please reach out to our research community lead, Emily Roseman, with any questions on your application: Emily_Roseman@hks.harvard.edu.