The Junior Summer Institute is the flagship program of the Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA), a US nonprofit that has run it since 1980 to prepare students for master’s study and public-service careers.
Fellows spend seven weeks (a PPIA toolkit FAQ says 10) on graduate-level coursework in policy, economics and statistics at Harvard Kennedy School, Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs or Michigan’s Ford School.
Benefits & funding
- Coursework, on-campus housing, books and a summer stipend are covered, plus career coaching.
- At Harvard: full tuition, housing and meals, domestic travel reimbursement and a US$2,000 stipend.
- Lifelong access to the PPIA alumni network.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate juniors working toward a first bachelor’s degree at a US-based college or university.
- Graduation window: December 2027 or May–August 2028 (JSI page); the program page’s FAQ still shows December 2026–August 2027.
- US citizens, permanent residents and DACA recipients may apply to all three sites; international students enrolled at US institutions may apply to Princeton only. Undocumented students are welcome.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Current undergraduate juniors working toward their first bachelor’s degree at a U.S.-based college or university … Students graduating in December 2027 or between May and August 2028 are eligible to apply.” Eligibility
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled
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We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Apply through PPIA’s central portal by 6 November 2026, 11:59 pm ET; each host school then reviews applicants on its own criteria.
- 2Write two 500-word essays (a third on personal or financial circumstances is optional) and provide income verification (FAFSA or a financial-aid letter).
- 3Name one recommender, whom PPIA contacts directly; the page asks that they be ready before 1 November.
Program timeline
applications opened
14 Sep 2026
deadline
6 Nov 2026, 11:59 pm ET
Mid-Feb 2027
Harvard decisions (PPIA FAQ still shows last cycle’s 30 Jan)
13 Jun–30 Jul 2027
Harvard session; other sites’ 2027 dates unpublished