MPA Research Fellowships

Opportunity

The MPA Research Fellowship program is a competitive professional development opportunity to build skills and subject matter expertise, while working closely with faculty, researchers and staff at The Watson School of International and Public Affairs and elsewhere at Brown on significant projects. MPA students selected for the program are matched with project teams in the School’s Centers, Initiatives, or faculty-led research groups at Watson or elsewhere within Brown.

MPA Research Fellowships are an opportunity for MPA students to develop or strengthen a specific research, analysis, or professional writing skill while also deepening their subject matter interest. Fellows might also add distinctive value to the work, for example by engaging in relevant policy dimensions, by helping envision new policy implications, or by helping to develop products to disseminate the work for public affairs audiences.

MPA Research Fellows spend twelve (12) hours per week over the fall semester (September - December) working on the project under the mentorship and supervision of the Center or Initiative Director or their nominee. Fellows will each receive a stipend funded by the Watson School and the sponsoring unit to support this work. Fellows will be expected to present a short Flash-Talk on their learnings at a Workshop early in the Spring Semester. For international students selected as MPA Research Fellows, the fellowship will count as on-campus employment.

The MPA Research Fellowships are open to applications from all MPA students in good standing with the program. Project listings and application instructions are shared with the MPA cohort each July. Students may hold only one MPA Research Fellowship appointment during their time at the Watson School.

For questions about the MPA Research Fellowship Program, please reach out to Dr. Matt Lyddon, Director, Program Operations.

Previously known as Watson Institute Director's Fellowships, MPA Research Fellowships continue to provide students with opportunities to contribute to research projects across Watson and Brown. Read about previous fellowship opportunities: