Shorenstein Center Fellowships
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.
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.
Fellows are expected to:
- Produce one or two pieces of 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 events, mentorship, and occasional consultation on Center projects.
Over the course of a year, fellows work independently on projects developed in collaboration with the Center. Fellows are encouraged to visit campus at least twice during their fellowship. 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.
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)
Funded fellows are strongly encouraged to either live in the Boston area or commit to visiting campus at least twice during their fellowship term. Applicants interested in a funded fellowship should indicate this in their application (see below).
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”).
The Documentary Film in the Public Interest Fellowship
The Documentary Film in the Public Interest initiative’s fellowship is designed to support new research, analysis, innovation and provocation around core issues facing the documentary field. Through the fellows’ projects, the Shorenstein Center will engage in examinations of best practice, industry ecosystems, public impact, technology and media policy. See here for more information on this fellowship and how to apply.
