Harvard Kennedy School Launches $100K Fellowships for 50 Veterans, Public Servants

Harvard Kennedy School has launched the American Service Fellowship, a scholarship program providing full funding for master’s degrees to at least 50 military veterans and public servants starting in fall 2026. Each fellowship covers $100,000 for tuition, fees, and a stipend, aiming to foster careers in public service amid significant federal workforce reductions under President Donald Trump's administration. The program targets individuals with at least seven years of service in the military or public sector, including government workers, teachers, and law enforcement officers, with an expectation that half the cohort will be veterans. The initiative represents the largest single-year scholarship in the Kennedy School’s history and is funded by philanthropic donations specifically raised for this purpose. This move comes as the school faces financial challenges due to the Trump administration's cuts in federal research funding, attempts to revoke tax-exempt status, and restrictions on international students. Harvard leadership emphasizes the fellowship’s importance during a period of political division and seeks to invest in the next generation of public servants to address America’s pressing challenges.