Thank you for your interest in applying to the Strategic Data Project (SDP) Fellowship through the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University. This application is for fellowship candidates applying to be placed as full-time employees at SDP partner organizations.
A comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions is located at the bottom of this webpage.
Eligibility Criteria
- a strong background in applied quantitative analysis (beyond descriptive analysis), familiarity with working with large datasets within education, and ability to work with limited oversight
- a demonstrated passion for improving outcomes for all students, familiarity with US domestic education policy and current issues
- a track record of collaboration, humility, and ability to guide change
- a proven ability to communicate complex information and analytic findings to various audiences in verbal, written, and visual formats
- evidence of an emerging leadership skillset and a commitment to continuous learning
- an advanced degree (Master’s degree or higher) completed (graduated) by August 2025 (certificates are not eligible)
- at least four years of relevant full-time work experience by August 2025 (waived for those with a PhD)
- Valid U.S. work authorization; fellows become employees of our partner organizations and they do not provide Visa sponsorship to their fellows. Candidates with OPT, AT, and/or EAD status may be eligible to apply. Work authorization must be valid from September 2025 through August 2027.
Candidates who are geographically flexible and willing to relocate will be given preference in the selection process. In addition, due to the inherent nature of the matching process, your willingness to relocate will increase your chances of matching with an SDP partner agency if admitted as a finalist to the candidate matching pool.
SDP Placed Fellows become full-time employees of their placement organizations where they receive an annual salary between $75,000-$95,000 and appropriate benefits. Placement organizations may have additional hiring requirements, including drug testing, criminal record and background checks, vaccination policies, residency requirements, etc.
Application Deadlines
Applications for candidates seeking to become Placed Fellows for Cohort 17 (Fall 2025 - Summer 2027) will open on September 30, 2024.
Round I Application Deadline: Monday, November 4th, 2024 - 9:00am ET
- Application Opens: September 30th, 2024
- Application Deadline: November 4th, 2024 - 9:00am ET
- Data Task 1: November 7th - November 12th, 2024
- Virtual Screening Interviews: November 20th - December 2nd, 2024
- Data Task 2: December 3rd - December 20th, 2024
- Selection Day Interviews: December 10th and 11th, 2024
- Agency Interviews: Beginning January 2025
Round II Application Deadline: Monday, March 3rd, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Application Opens: November 8th, 2024
- Application Deadline: March 3rd, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Data Task 1: March 6th - March 11th, 2025
- Virtual Screening Interviews: March 20th - March 28th, 2025
- Data Task 2: March 31st - April 7th, 2025
- Selection Day Interviews: April 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2025
- Agency Interviews: Beginning April/May 2025
Round III Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Application Opens: March 7th, 2025
- Application Deadline: May 14th, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Data Task 1: May 16th - May 22nd, 2025
- Virtual Screening Interviews: June 3rd - June 10th, 2025
- Data Task 2: June 10th - June 17th, 2025
- Selection Day Interviews: June 17th and 18th, 2025
The above dates and deadlines are subject to change.
For additional questions, please email: sdprecruitment@gse.harvard.edu
SDP Fellowship Application: Cohort 17 (Fall 2025 – Summer 2027)
Thank you for your interest in applying to the Strategic Data Project (SDP) Fellowship through the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University. This application is for fellowship candidates applying to be placed as full-time employees at SDP partner organizations.
A comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions is located at the bottom of this webpage.
Eligibility Criteria
- a strong background in applied quantitative analysis (beyond descriptive analysis), familiarity with working with large datasets within education, and ability to work with limited oversight
- a demonstrated passion for improving outcomes for all students, familiarity with US domestic education policy and current issues
- a track record of collaboration, humility, and ability to guide change
- a proven ability to communicate complex information and analytic findings to various audiences in verbal, written, and visual formats
- evidence of an emerging leadership skillset and a commitment to continuous learning
- an advanced degree (Master’s degree or higher) completed (graduated) by August 2025 (certificates are not eligible)
- at least four years of relevant full-time work experience by August 2025 (waived for those with a PhD)
- Valid U.S. work authorization; fellows become employees of our partner organizations and they do not provide Visa sponsorship to their fellows. Candidates with OPT, AT, and/or EAD status may be eligible to apply. Work authorization must be valid from September 2025 through August 2027.
Candidates who are geographically flexible and willing to relocate will be given preference in the selection process. In addition, due to the inherent nature of the matching process, your willingness to relocate will increase your chances of matching with an SDP partner agency if admitted as a finalist to the candidate matching pool.
SDP Placed Fellows become full-time employees of their placement organizations where they receive an annual salary between $75,000-$95,000 and appropriate benefits. Placement organizations may have additional hiring requirements, including drug testing, criminal record and background checks, vaccination policies, residency requirements, etc.
Application Deadlines
Applications for candidates seeking to become Placed Fellows for Cohort 17 (Fall 2025 - Summer 2027) will open on September 30, 2024.
Round I Application Deadline: Monday, November 4th, 2024 - 9:00am ET
- Application Opens: September 30th, 2024
- Application Deadline: November 4th, 2024 - 9:00am ET
- Data Task 1: November 7th - November 12th, 2024
- Virtual Screening Interviews: November 20th - December 2nd, 2024
- Data Task 2: December 3rd - December 20th, 2024
- Selection Day Interviews: December 10th and 11th, 2024
- Agency Interviews: Beginning January 2025
Round II Application Deadline: Monday, March 3rd, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Application Opens: November 8th, 2024
- Application Deadline: March 3rd, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Data Task 1: March 6th - March 11th, 2025
- Virtual Screening Interviews: March 20th - March 28th, 2025
- Data Task 2: March 31st - April 7th, 2025
- Selection Day Interviews: April 15th, 16th, and 17th, 2025
- Agency Interviews: Beginning April/May 2025
Round III Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Application Opens: March 7th, 2025
- Application Deadline: May 14th, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Data Task 1: May 16th - May 22nd, 2025
- Virtual Screening Interviews: June 3rd - June 10th, 2025
- Data Task 2: June 10th - June 17th, 2025
- Selection Day Interviews: June 17th and 18th, 2025
The above dates and deadlines are subject to change.
For additional questions, please email: sdprecruitment@gse.harvard.edu