The Shorenstein Fellows Program

A fellowship program that brings together practitioners and scholars pursuing self-directed projects 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. The Shorenstein Fellows Program is central to this mission.

The Shorenstein Fellows Program brings together journalists, technologists, creators, 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, webinars or stories—that advances public understanding of the information ecosystem.

Fellows Program 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
Filmmakers and media executives

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

What's expected of a fellow?

Fellows are expected to:

Produce original content or programming—such as a short expert commentary, or op-ed or webinar series—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

Please note that fellowships cannot be used for the development of a film project, and fellows are discouraged from pursuing human-subject research pursuant to IRB oversight.

What’s the experience of a Shorenstein Fellow?

Fellows work independently on projects developed in collaboration with the Center. Fellowships are one year in length and mostly remote, though Boston-based fellows are welcome to use the Center’s on-campus resources.

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 Shorenstein Fellows Program is unpaid and free to participate in. Fellows receive travel stipends to support up to two trips to Cambridge during their fellowship year for program events and campus engagement opportunities.

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.

How can I apply?

Please submit your application here. The next program begins on September 1, 2027, and applications are due by May 1, 2027. In some cases, fellows may be permitted to begin their fellowship in January. Please reach out to our research community lead, Jay Kemp, with any questions on your application.