McCloy Scholarship Program 2027

Applications for the academic years 2027 to 2029 are accepted from August 1st to November 1st, 2026.

The McCloy Scholarship Program, launched in 1983, enables highly qualified students from all disciplines to pursue a two-year Master's degree at the Harvard Kennedy School. In addition to preparing future leaders in public and international organizations, the program aims to promote transatlantic understanding and foster lasting connections among its scholarship recipients beyond their studies. 

Several Master's programs are available, differing considerably in requirements and degree of flexibility. "Analysis, management and advocacy" are core components, as are courses in economics, statistics, politics, and ethics. A mandatory internship is required between the first and second year. 

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Interview Process
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineNovember 1, 2026
• Study LevelMasters , PhD
• SponsorGerman National Academic Foundation
• Course to study
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

Financial support

• Monthly stipend of $2,500 (21 months)
• One-time starting fee of 500 USD
• Travel expense allowance of USD 1,000
• Reduction of tuition fees to a personal contribution of EUR 10,000 per academic year

Non-material support

• Admission to the German National Academic Foundation (access to non-material support)
• Inclusion in a worldwide McCloy network
• Inclusion in the Haniel Foundation network
• Kick-off event in the run-up to the funding
• Digital semester kick-off at the start of the funding period
• Annual meeting of scholarship recipients in the USA during the funding period

Combining this scholarship with other scholarships, such as those from the DAAD, is possible to reduce or cover the student's contribution to tuition fees. The German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung) also offers guidance in finding additional funding options (student loans, scholarship funds, etc.). Furthermore, the Foundation, with the support of the McCloy Alumni Association, provides an emergency fund. Applications for funds from this fund are only possible if it can be demonstrated that an application for at least one other scholarship (e.g., from the DAAD) has been unsuccessful. 

Requirements

• Open to students of all disciplines
• Academic excellence in a purposefully completed course of study, international experience, communication skills and an interest in practical issues.
• On the application deadline (November 1st), the applicant's most recent university degree (including doctorate) must not be more than five years old. The date of the degree certificate applies. Periods of childcare, extended illness, and caregiving may be credited in exceptional cases and upon application (see FAQ p. 4).
• Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, diploma or state examination – completed with at least a "good" grade (for lawyers, "fully satisfactory") at the time of departure, preferably with initial professional experience.
• Prior funding from the German National Academic Foundation is not necessary.
• Admission to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government is not required at the time of application for the McCloy Fellowship.
• Whether and to what extent work experience is desired or even formally required depends on the specific Master's program at the Harvard Kennedy School. Detailed explanations can be found in our FAQs.

If you are interested in the McCloy scholarship program but do not hold German citizenship, you can find out here whether you meet the formal application requirements.

Selection Process

• Please complete the following application documents (DOC, 0.3 MB) . Please be sure to read the information in the document  "FAQ and Application Instructions" (PDF, 0.5 MB) .
• Here you can download the cover sheet (PDF, 0.2 MB) for your expert reports.
• Please note that applications must be submitted as a PDF attachment via email. Sending application documents by post is not necessary.
• Following a preliminary selection, promising applicants are invited to a selection seminar.
• Applicants must apply independently for a place at the Harvard Kennedy School . The application process and internship preparations are the responsibility of the applicants. Please refer to the Harvard Kennedy School's application guidelines. The Kennedy School considers the selection decision of the German commission but makes the final admissions decision independently.

Check also:
2026 Fully Funded Humboldt Research Fellowship
2026 Eutopia PhD Co-tutelle Call

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information, kindly visit the McCloy Scholarship webpage.