Josh Cortez
Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy Recipient
For Students
From research to teaching, students are front and center at the Ash Center.
At the Ash Center, students are front and center.
The Ash Center and its faculty are committed to enriching the educational experience for students at the Kennedy School. In addition to teaching degree courses, our faculty regularly advise and engage with students from the time they arrive on campus for orientation through graduation and beyond. The Ash Center is proud to support students with tuition assistance and a host of co-curricular opportunities, including funding for student-led events and initiatives, research and applied learning experiences, study groups, and more.
Support for Student Initiatives and Study
The Ash Center supports certain HKS student-led events and initiatives as well as independent study. Preference is given to projects with Ash faculty involvement and applied learning opportunities that overlap with the Center’s core research and programmatic priorities.
Interested students may direct applications and funding inquiries to Christina Marchand, Senior Associate Director for Democracy Initiatives, Programs.
Applying for Funding
How to apply for a research grant
The Center awards research grants to HKS students for independent research projects on an ongoing basis. Research projects are selected based on several criteria:
- Connection to Ash Center-affiliated faculty (either in an informal or formal advisory capacity)
- Relevance to one of the Center’s areas of focus
- Well-developed research plan and appropriate budget
Please be sure to complete all fields of the application. In addition to the application and research project proposal, we also request a letter of recommendation or endorsement from a faculty member; this may be submitted with the proposal or emailed by the faculty member directly to Christina Marchand.
How to apply for student group funding
The Ash Center supports many student organizations which focus on one of our areas of interest. We welcome funding applications from groups as well; please refer to the independent research application for guidelines on submitting an application. We also welcome “standard” proposals used by groups and journals to fundraise across HKS.
Study Groups and Workshops
The Ash Center regularly sponsors not-for-credit study groups and workshops for interested HKS and Harvard students to work and learn from practitioners and scholars affiliated with the Center. Interested participants should register for each study group session(s) they plan on attending. To help foster a stronger sense of community amongst study group attendees, we ask that students commit to attending most if not all sessions of a particular study group.
Policy Analysis Exercise and Second-Year Policy Analysis
Finding a Client
The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation is proud to support public and non-profit organizations committed to deepening democracy at home and abroad. Through our network of practitioners, the Ash Center’s faculty and research programs can help students connect with client organizations working to improve democratic governance, representation, government innovation, and more.
Winter Travel Funding
The Ash Center provides travel grants to HKS students working on their Policy Analysis Exercises (PAE) or Second Year Policy Analyses (SYPA). Specifically, the Ash Center supports students interested in strengthening democracy in the US and beyond—including projects related to antiracism, electoral reform, tribal and Indigenous governance, organizing engagement, and participation.
The application process and timeline is coordinated with other HKS research centers, and all applications are accepted through the Common Application (found on KNet). Please contact Christina Marchand with questions.
Student Scholarships
The Ash Center is proud to support multiple Harvard Kennedy School students every academic year. Learn more about current and previous scholarships below. Interested students should contact the HKS Student Financial Service Office for more information and to apply.
Current Scholarships
The Ford Foundation Mason Program Scholarship in Democracy
The Ford Foundation Mason Program Scholarship in Democracy will be awarded to meritorious Mason Fellows with financial need. Leading candidates will demonstrate the commitment and capacity for leadership in strengthening democracy around the globe, including electoral reform, tribal and Indigenous governance, organizing, community engagement, political participation, and justice and antiracism.
This fellowship is open only to Mason Fellows. Scholarship recipients will be invited to join the Ash Center in co-curricular activities such as seminars and conferences.
The Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy
The Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy will be awarded to meritorious students with financial need. Leading candidates will demonstrate the commitment and capacity for leadership in strengthening democracy in the United States and beyond, including electoral reform, tribal and Indigenous governance, organizing, community engagement, political participation, and justice and antiracism.Scholarship recipients will be invited to join the Ash Center in co-curricular activities such as seminars and conferences.
Current Student Scholars
Malaaz Ghandour
Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy Recipient
Joy Ikekhua
Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy Recipient
Walid Shawky
Ford Foundation Mason Program Scholarship in Democracy Recipient
Anthony Thompson
Roy and Lila Ash Scholarship in Democracy Recipient