Description

In summer 2026, as part of its Gueron Scholars Program, MDRC, teaming up with The Policy Academies, will offer up to two virtual paid fellowships to doctoral candidates who are pursuing independent, self-directed research on economic, educational, or social problems affecting Americans with low incomes. The goal of the fellowship is to provide opportunities for doctoral students to gain exposure to social policy research and professional networks, understand employment options beyond the academic and public sectors, and access the advice and support of MDRC’s staff in completing their dissertations. Applications are open to all interested doctoral students. 
 
MDRC has created this special financial assistance program for students enrolled in doctoral programs in child welfare, criminal justice, economics, education policy, family relations, psychology, social policy sociology, or related fields that align with our project work that is conducted in the following five policy areas: 
 
Economic Mobility, Housing, and Communities Policy Area
Family Well-Being and Children’s Development Policy Area
K-12 Education Policy Area
Postsecondary Education Policy Area
Youth Development, Criminal Justice, and Employment Policy Area 
 
Responsibilities
To maintain program benefits, fellows will be expected to: 
Dedicate the necessary time and effort to complete all onboarding activities.
Develop specific milestones to make progress on their doctoral dissertation and work in good faith to complete dissertation research activities outlined in the fellowship application.
Engage in the intellectual life of MDRC by attending relevant meetings, seminars, and professional networking sessions.
Interact with MDRC research staff with expertise relevant to their dissertation research.
Present their research to the MDRC community. 
 
Qualifications
Must be enrolled and in good academic standing in a doctoral program in criminal justice, economics, education policy, political science, psychology, social policy, sociology, or related fields. Students specializing in data science for social good are also encouraged to apply.
Must use qualitative or quantitative research methods in their dissertation. 
Must have a dissertation proposal or prospectus that addresses a policy-relevant question that has been approved by the applicant’s academic department and, if applicable, by their university’s Institutional Review Board. 
 
Deadline and Notification 
Applications are due by 11:59 pm (ET) on Monday, January 12, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed. 
The application review process will begin after the application deadline. 
Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing.
Please see “What to expect from MDRC’s recruitment process” for more information. 
 

How to Apply Instructions: When submitting your application, please include the following: 
A curriculum vitae or résumé, including relevant academic and work experience. 
A personal statement (up to two single-spaced pages), which must include the following: (1) your interest in social policy issues and research, (2) your immediate career interests and goals after graduating from the doctoral program, (3) how you expect this fellowship, coupled with your academic pursuits and/or prior experiences, will contribute to your professional growth, and (4) how your background, academic studies, and life experience have impacted your professional pursuits and why they make you a strong candidate for the doctoral fellowship. 
A proposal (up to 2,000 words) that discusses the rationale for the dissertation research you plan to pursue during the fellowship period. Include a (1) statement of the research question, (2) the data you will be using, (3) the analytic approach you are taking and its relevance to social policy, (4) the steps you will take during the course of the fellowship to complete the project, and (5) how you believe a doctoral fellowship at MDRC will aid you in meeting your proposed research goals. 
An unofficial copy of your graduate school transcript(s), which must document your status as a registered student in good standing. 
A letter from the academic department or registrar confirming that your dissertation proposal or prospectus has been approved by your academic department, and, if applicable, proof of your Institutional Review Board approval.
Two letters of recommendation, including one from your dissertation chairperson. Peer recommendations are not acceptable. Letters of recommendation must speak to your (1) ability to engage in independent research and complete the research activities mentioned in your application proposal, (2) openness and responsiveness to constructive feedback and commitment to continuous improvement, and (3) ability to work collaboratively with others. The recommenders must email the letters directly to HRquestions@mdrc.org. Include in the subject line “GSP Doctoral Fellowship/Attn: SaraJane David or Servina Cortez.”
Please note: Applications that do not include all the required materials—statement, proposal and letters of recommendation—will be deemed incomplete and removed from consideration. Personal statements that do not explicitly address in detail the four points outlined above under the second bullet will also be disqualified.  
 
Important Things to Know 
Fellows will be expected to begin their fellowships in June of 2026 and participate for the full 8 weeks through mid-August 2026. 
A stipend of $10,000 will be provided. 
Fellows are expected to participate in programming virtually (via Zoom) at least three days a week. 
While housing is not included, doctoral fellows who seek New York housing accommodations will be referred to a local student housing provider and will be responsible for securing and covering their own housing and travel costs. Doctoral fellows who choose to relocate to New York City for the program will be provided with a workspace at MDRC’s office.
To learn more about the experience of being a doctoral fellow at MDRC, watch this video: Meet Gabrielle Smith Finnie, 2023 Gueron Doctoral Fellow | MDRC.
Direct questions about the fellowship to HRQuestions@mdrc.org.
 
MDRC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. No qualified applicant, employee, intern, volunteer, or apprenticeship trainee will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, tribal affiliation, ancestry, creed, religion, age, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected family and medical leaves, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state or local law. Legal work authorization is required. To request a reasonable accommodation during any stage of MDRC’s employment process due to a disability, please contact HRQuestions@mdrc.org.  

MDRC is dedicated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  We believe that recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce of all backgrounds and perspectives improves the quality and relevance of our research, as well as the daily experiences of our staff. By fostering an equitable culture of inclusivity and belonging, we seek an environment in which staff feel welcomed, valued, and engaged in their work. MDRC operates all DEI programs in accordance with governing law.