Build your future in public service with a fully funded summer experience.
PPIA’s 2027 Junior Summer Institute (JSI) gives you the opportunity to study at one of three leading public policy schools:
- Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government
- Princeton University, School of Public and International Affairs
- University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Build policy skills, prepare for graduate school, and connect with students who share your commitment to making a difference.
Apply by November 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Applications open September 14, 2026.
Start your 2027 JSI application →
Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. We’re looking for a demonstrated commitment to public service, curiosity about policy, and a desire to make a difference in your community.
Bring your perspective. Build your possibilities.
You see the challenges facing your community and you want to help solve them. JSI helps you turn that commitment into practical skills and a clearer path toward public service.
During the summer before your final undergraduate year, you’ll take graduate-level courses, learn from faculty at your host campus, and work alongside peers who bring different experiences and fresh ideas to the issues you care about. You’ll explore what graduate study and a career in public policy, public administration, or international affairs could look like for you.
What you’ll gain
- A fully funded experience. Coursework, housing, books, and a summer stipend help you focus on your growth.
- Skills for your next chapter. Strengthen your foundation in economics, statistics, policy analysis, and related subjects.
- Guidance for your future. Explore career possibilities and prepare for graduate study with practical support.
- A lasting community. Build relationships with fellow students and join a network of more than 5,500 PPIA alumni.
- Graduate school opportunities. After completing JSI, access application fee waivers and scholarship opportunities through PPIA’s Graduate School Partners. Benefits vary by school.
Is the PPIA Junior Summer Institute for you?
JSI is designed for undergraduate students approaching their final year who are interested in graduate study and committed to public service.
Your commitment might show through your coursework, campus involvement, job, volunteering, or responsibilities in your community. Your application is your opportunity to tell that story and explain the impact you want to make.
Review your preferred campus’s eligibility requirements before applying, including academic standing, coursework, and citizenship or residency criteria. International students enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university may apply to Princeton’s program.
Take the next step.
Start by reviewing the application requirements. Prepare your résumé and transcripts, begin your personal statements, and reach out to recommenders early. Check the application for all required materials, including financial information.
Your summer at Harvard, Princeton, or Michigan could start with this application.