2024-34i: 2025 Paid Doctoral Fellowship

In summer 2025, as part of its Gueron Scholars Program, MDRC, in collaboration with The Policy Academies, will offer two paid fellowships to doctoral candidates who are pursuing independent, self-directed research on economic, educational, and social problems affecting Americans with low incomes.  Directed by MDRC’s Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Inclusion, with input from MDRC’s Policy Research and Evaluation Department, the goal of the fellowship is to provide opportunities for doctoral students to gain exposure to education and 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. The Gueron Scholars Program seeks to engage and support individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the education and social policy research communities. Applications are open to all interested students.

Dedicated to learning what works to improve the well-being of families with low incomes, MDRC has created this special financial assistance program for students enrolled in doctoral programs in economics, psychology, sociology, child development, child welfare, family relations, criminal justice, education, public policy, or related fields that align with our project work conducted in the following five policy areas:

• Family Well-Being and Children’s Development Policy Area
• K-12 Education Policy Area

• Postsecondary Education Policy Area
• Economic Mobility, Housing, and Communities Policy Area
• Youth Development, Criminal Justice, and Employment Policy Area

Responsibilities 

Fellows will be expected to:

• Develop specific milestones to make progress on their doctoral dissertation.
• Engage in the intellectual life of MDRC by attending relevant meetings and seminars.
• Interact with MDRC research and policy staff with expertise relevant to their dissertation research.
• Present their research to the MDRC community.

Qualifications 

• Must be enrolled in a doctoral program in economics, psychology, sociology, child development, child welfare, family relations, criminal justice, education, public policy, or related fields.
• Must have an approved dissertation proposal or prospectus topic focused on economics, psychology, sociology, child development, child welfare, family relations, criminal justice, education, public policy, or in other fields related to MDRC’s policy areas.
• Must have a dissertation proposal or prospectus approved by the applicant’s academic department and, if applicable, by their university’s Institutional Review Board.

Deadline

Applications should be submitted by Tuesday, December 31, 2024. All applications and supporting materials will be reviewed after the application deadline. 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 public policy issues and research, (2) your immediate career interests and goals after graduating from the doctoral program, (3) how this fellowship, coupled with your academic pursuits and/or prior experiences, will contribute to your professional growth, and (4) how your background, identity, academic studies, and life experience have impacted your professional pursuits and help achieve the goal of the Gueron Scholars Program to bring greater diversity to the field.
• 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 education or 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.
• 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 a member of 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 (3) ability to work collaboratively with others. The recommenders must email the letters directly to [email protected]. 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 will be deemed incomplete and removed from consideration. This includes the personal statement, research proposal, and letters of recommendation that do not explicitly address in detail the points stated above.

Important Things to Know

• A stipend of $10,000 and a workspace in MDRC’s NYC office will be provided.
• Fellows are expected to work in the NYC office at least three days a week to participate in GSP activities.
• MDRC is pleased to provide housing for all fellows. Applicants invited to interview virtually will receive more information about this benefit.
• The fellowship may require minimal travel, including a multi-day trip to Washington, DC, for professional networking. These expenses will be covered by the program.
• To learn more about what a doctoral fellowship at MDRC is like, watch this video: Meet Gabrielle Smith Finnie, 2023 Gueron Doctoral Fellow | MDRC.

Only candidates selected for further consideration will be contacted. Please note interviews (when scheduled) will be conducted via video conferencing.

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 his, her, or their race (including traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, national origin (including physical, cultural or linguistic characteristics), marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group, tribal affiliation, membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group, name that is associated with a national origin group, accent, language use, immigration status, citizenship, possession of a driver’s license issued to persons unable to prove their lawful presence in the United States, and other definitions under California or other states’ laws, ancestry, creed, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), age, citizenship, veteran and/or military status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, gender transitioning or perceived gender transitioning, marital status or civil partnership/union status, physical or mental disability (actual or perceived), medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, protected medical leaves (requesting or being approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act) or similar state family medical leave laws, 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 [email protected].

MDRC’s dedication to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion exceed compliance requirements. 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.