Apply to the Fellowship
Become an Applied Data Fellow
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Submit yours to be considered for the next cohort of the Applied Data Fellowship at UChicago Harris.
Apply Now
~10 min · Rolling review
WHO ARE ADF FELLOWS
Analysts, builders, and problem solvers
Applied Data Fellows come from leading graduate programs in public policy, data science, economics, social sciences, computer science, and related fields. Fellows spend one year embedded in an ADF partner organization — some crunching data, some managing projects and people, some doing a bit of everything.
Data Scientist / Analyst
Python, R, SQL, ML — turning raw data into findings
Program Manager
Coordinating stakeholders, dashboards, and delivery
Data Shaman
Part analyst, part strategist — reducing frictions in ops and implementation
TRAINING & SKILL-BUILDING
A year of learning, not just doing
One-on-One Mentorship
Dedicated coaching connecting Fellows with experienced practitioners in data and policy.
Weekly Upskilling Workshops
Hands-on sessions covering tools and methods directly applicable to Fellows' project work.
Fireside Chats
Conversations with leaders across government, nonprofits, research, and technology.
Tech & AI Demos
Regular exposure to cutting-edge data and AI tools reshaping public-sector work.
Timing At A Glance
Application Window
Open Year-Round
Interview Process
~2 Weeks (Once invited)
Offer to Placement
6–8 Weeks
Fellowship Term
1 Year (Full-Time)
Fellowship FAQ
The ADF is a 1 year, full-time commitment. Fellows are embedded full-time to ensure they have the runway to build permanent institutional capacity and move projects from scoping to implementation.
Yes. All Fellows receive a competitive stipend and reimbursement for health insurance. Please note that the stipend and insurance reimbursement begin only after you are successfully matched and have started your placement with a partner organization
Yes. We conduct a Fellow Preference Survey to align your technical strengths and interests with our available projects. However, because you are competing with other qualified Fellows for these specific roles, you may not always be matched with your top pick. The final match depends on the partner's needs and the interview outcome.
The matching process is highly selective. If a match is not secured within 3 months of entering the finalist pool, we will unfortunately part ways. We aim to identify the right fit quickly, but the 3-month window ensures both the candidate and the program remain focused on active opportunities.
A "Maybe" status means we have vetted your profile and find it a strong fit for the ADF, but we do not currently have 3–4 active partner projects that align with your specific technical niche. We keep "Maybe" profiles active and will re-initiate the interview process as soon as a suitable mission-critical project opens in our portfolio.
You are never siloed. Through the "UChicago Safety Net," you have direct access to technical mentorship and a peer network to help troubleshoot code, architecture, or implementation hurdles in real-time. This ensures your work remains "Beyond Good Data" and remains technically sound.