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)
SDP and our partner organizations are unable to provide visa sponsorship for fellows, either at present or in the future. SDP fellows are hired directly by our partner agencies (not by Harvard University) and must adhere to the specific hiring requirements of those agencies. Applicants must be legally authorized to work for an employer in the U.S. on a full-time basis without restriction for the entire duration of the fellowship (September 2025 – August 2027). Please note that SDP and our partner agencies cannot sponsor visas, now or in the future, and are unable to take over sponsorship of an existing visa. Additionally, most SDP fellowship roles do not meet the criteria for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT) for international students on F-1 or J-1 visas.
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
Round I Application Deadline: Monday, November 4th, 2024 - 9:00am ET (CLOSED)
Round II Application Deadline: Friday, February 28th, 2025 - 9:00am ET (CLOSED)
Round III Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Application Opens: April 14th, 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
Applications are not reviewed until AFTER the posted application deadline.
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)
SDP and our partner organizations are unable to provide visa sponsorship for fellows, either at present or in the future. SDP fellows are hired directly by our partner agencies (not by Harvard University) and must adhere to the specific hiring requirements of those agencies. Applicants must be legally authorized to work for an employer in the U.S. on a full-time basis without restriction for the entire duration of the fellowship (September 2025 – August 2027). Please note that SDP and our partner agencies cannot sponsor visas, now or in the future, and are unable to take over sponsorship of an existing visa. Additionally, most SDP fellowship roles do not meet the criteria for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Academic Training (AT) for international students on F-1 or J-1 visas.
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
Round I Application Deadline: Monday, November 4th, 2024 - 9:00am ET (CLOSED)
Round II Application Deadline: Friday, February 28th, 2025 - 9:00am ET (CLOSED)
Round III Application Deadline: Wednesday, May 14th, 2025 - 9:00am ET
- Application Opens: April 14th, 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
Applications are not reviewed until AFTER the posted application deadline.
The above dates and deadlines are subject to change.
For additional questions, please email: sdprecruitment@gse.harvard.edu