How to Apply for the Hart Fellowship
Applications for the 2026-2027 Hart Fellowship are now open! Read on to learn more about the application.
Hart Fellowship Application Process
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Attend Office Hours and/or Info Session
The best way to learn more about the Hart Fellowship is to attend an information session. During this session, students learn more about the history and structure of the program as well as the application process. There is also be an opportunity to ask additional questions about the Hart Fellowship.
The information sessions for this cycle have already taken place. A recording of the most recent in-person information session can be viewed below.
Students with specific questions about their own projects, passions, or ideas for the application are invited to schedule in-person office hours with Lee, the Hart Fellowship Program Coordinator. During these office hours, Lee will invite you to think boldly about how you might envision your own Hart Fellowship experience. Click here to schedule office hours.
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Apply Online
The Hart Fellowship application asks applicants to write thoughtfully and concisely about their civic interests, past service and research experiences, and approach to community engagement.
The application also requests copies of applicants official transcripts along with a letter of recommendation and a recent resume. These requests will be submitted directly to the Hart Fellowship inbox.
All Duke and DKU graduating seniors and recent graduates (class of 2024 and 2025) are welcome to apply.
Applications for 2026-2027 are now open! Find the questions and apply at: https://duke.is/hfp2627. Applications are due on January 21st at 11:59 PM.
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Interview and Orientation
Once applications are received and reviewed, a small group of finalists from the applicant pool will be invited to interview with the committee over Zoom. This interview serves as an opportunity for the selection committee to learn more about the finalist's proposed community partner and project.
From this group of finalists, a new cohort of Hart Fellows will be selected in early March.
After graduation, the new Hart Fellows will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation week. This orientation supports Hart Fellows in crafting their fellowship experiences and prepares them for their launch in the field while building community among the new cohort and the support team. The orientation for the 2026-2027 cohort will be held the week after commencement and applicants should hold these dates in case of admission into the program.
What Should I Know About the Application?
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Essay Questions
1. What draws you to the Hart Fellowship program? Why are you a good fit for this program specifically and what do you hope to get out of this experience? What past experiences in community-engaged research and service do you have that prepare you for this fellowship? (350 words max)
2. What social, political, or humanitarian issue do you envision yourself engaging through a Hart Fellowship? Why are you drawn to this particular issue and how have your past academic, programmatic, and concrete work or research experiences informed your understanding of this issue? What questions do you have about this topic and how might you engage them through community-based research and hands-on service work during a Hart Fellowship year? (650 words max).
*Applicants with a particular interest in working with children in adversity and/or utilizing documentary studies in their research plan should indicate so in their response.
3. How has your vision of leadership changed throughout your time at Duke? Describe an experience in your academic, professional, or personal life that challenged and ultimately transformed how you view or define good leadership. How do you hope to use the Hart Fellowship to expand your leadership capacity? (250 words max)
4. Describe a place of personal significance to you. Why is it significant to you and what does it say about who you are? (250 words max)
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Documents to Submit
In addition to submitting their completed application form with essay questions and biographical information, applicants must also email three documents to the hart_fellowship@duke.edu inbox.
1. Resume (PDF)
2. Official Transcript(s) from all colleges and universities you have attended (sent directly from registrar's office, e.g. Parchment)
3. Letter of Recommendation from a professor or supervisor who knows you well (emailed by recommender directly to hart_fellowship@duke.edu)
The deadline to apply is 11:59 pm, Wednesday, January 21st, 2026. The completed application form as well as your resume, transcript, and letters of recommendation (emailed to hart_fellowship@duke.edu) must all be received by this deadline.
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A Note on AI
The use of generative AI is not permitted in the completion of this application. The Hart Fellowship is a writing fellowship as much as it is focused on research and service. The ability to critically self-reflect and explain one's ideas, passions, and learning goals without the aid of AI is essential to complete the Fellowship. As such, use of generative AI in this application will disqualify applicants from evaluation. All answers will be run through an AI-checker and any deemed to have violated this policy will be set aside and not considered.