Illuminate the Future of Higher Education: Apply for the CSHE Capstone Fellowship
The Center for Studies in Higher Education (CSHE) is pleased to offer fellowships for the Goldman School of Public Policy (GSPP) Capstone projects. We invite applications from MPP, MPA, and MDP students whose innovative projects advance the Center’s mission of illuminating higher education.
Award amounts will be determined based on individual project needs, with a strong commitment to ensuring that Fellows are fully funded to execute their Capstone projects effectively.
Eligibility:
GSPP MPP, MPA, and MDP students planning to complete their Capstone Project on higher education in Spring 2026 are encouraged to apply. Eligibility is limited to those who have identified their clients and capstone topics. Due to limited funding, students whose capstones are already fully funded (at a level of $9,000 or above) are not eligible.
Application Requirements:
Applicants are required to fill out an application form (link is external)which requires the following information:
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Project Title
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Client Name
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A 1-2 page description of the project and the intended output
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How the CSHE fund will be used
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Details on any existing funding the applicant has already secured for the project
Selected students will be asked to demonstrate the client’s endorsement of the project plan, via a short reference letter. These letters are not needed at this time, but will be solicited after selection.
Fellowship Deliverables:
Funded students will be expected to present their capstone projects to a CSHE workshop at the end of the Spring semester. In addition, they will be invited to turn their capstone reports into policy briefs that will be considered for publication in the CSHE Higher Education Policy Brief Series. Applicants who anticipate barriers to either of these (e.g., due to the confidential nature of their projects) should note this in their applications.
Important Dates and Information:
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Applications must be submitted by November 21, 2025 to be considered
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Fellows will be selected by mid-December, 2025.
We encourage all eligible students to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to the broader discourse on higher education while receiving substantial support for their academic endeavors.