• Harvard Kennedy School has unveiled a $100,000 American Service Fellowship for at least 50 veterans and public servants, promoting advanced education in public policy amid political scrutiny and institutional challenges. The program underscores the importance of principled governance and service at a time of polarization and federal workforce downsizing.

CAMBRIDGE, MA (TDR) — In a move both steeped in tradition and reactive to political pressures, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government announced Thursday the launch of the American Service Fellowship, a $100,000 scholarship designed to equip military veterans and public servants with the academic foundation necessary for a one-year master’s degree in public administration.

This new initiative arrives as the institution confronts a storm of political rebuke from the Trump administration, facing scrutiny over allegations of campus antisemitism and violations of the Civil Rights Act. Despite this climate, Harvard is doubling down on its historic commitment to public service and civic leadership.

A Strategic Investment in American Governance

The fellowship will fund 50 students annually, covering tuition, fees, and a living stipend. Dean Jeremy Weinstein articulated the rationale behind the program in a campus-wide message, stating:

“In this moment of political division and major challenges in America, it’s never been a more important time to invest in the next generation of public servants.”

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Recipients must have served at least seven years in the military or in local, state, or federal government, including sectors such as education and law enforcement. Half of the awards will be reserved for military-affiliated applicants.

“There’s nothing more patriotic than public service,” Weinstein continued. “Whether you served in the U.S. armed forces, in government, as a teacher, a law enforcement professional, or in a civilian service organization, we want you to come to the Harvard Kennedy School.”

Political Backdrop and Institutional Headwinds

The announcement follows a period of heightened tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration. The university has already forfeited more than $2.6 billion in federal research funds amid accusations of civil rights violations. President Trump has proposed revoking the school’s tax-exempt status, challenging its accreditation, and suspending student visas for international students.

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This latest development stands in stark contrast to the administration’s ongoing downsizing of federal departments such as Education, Voice of America, and USAID.

In defending the fellowship, Weinstein emphasized that the Kennedy School is “not retreating from public engagement” but rather leaning into it at a moment when “national service is being undervalued.”

Tradition of Service and Reform

Harvard’s move places it in company with other Ivy League institutions striving to diversify student populations by integrating military and government experience. Columbia University notably enrolled 700 veterans in 2023—more than all other Ivy League schools combined. The Kennedy School itself has educated more than 500 military-affiliated students over the past decade.

Its alumni roster includes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, former Secretary Mark Esper, Senator Jack Reed, and Representatives Seth Moulton and Dan Crenshaw.

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Applications for the American Service Fellowship open in September, with admissions decisions expected in the spring. The school has encouraged applicants who may not meet all criteria to still apply, especially those who were laid off within the last six months.

“That’s what this fellowship is all about,” Weinstein concluded. “Helping train the current and future leaders of America who are ready to lead their communities and our country into the future.”

Civic Renewal Through Higher Education

At a time when partisan rancor threatens institutional integrity and democratic engagement, Harvard’s fellowship offers a bold if symbolic rejoinder: cultivating principled, experienced leaders through education—not ideology. Whether this initiative serves as a bridge or a battleground remains to be seen.

Will elite institutions reclaim public trust by honoring service over politics?

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