2013 Ruth & Lovett Peters Fellowship Opportunity

Pioneer Institute is thrilled to announce the second annual Ruth and Lovett Peters Fellowship, an opportunity for a current or recent graduate student with a passionate interest in education policy and strong entrepreneurial and analytic abilities. The fellow, who carries the title of Ruth & Lovett Peters Fellow, will develop a broad range of research and public policy skills; he or she will also have an opportunity to devise and complete a “Lead” project, which can consist of research or a practical policy project. The Fellowship will commence in the spring/summer of 2013.  

The Ruth and Lovett Peters Fellowship will commence in the spring/summer of 2013. A Peters Fellow at Pioneer Institute will:

• › Enhance leadership skills
• › Gain extensive training in research writing and the peer review process
• › Apply statistical knowledge to research output
• › Publish at least one research paper that may be sponsored by Pioneer
• › Develop public speaking experience
• › Procure grant-writing experience
• › Develop wide-ranging social media communications experience
• › Advance presentation skills
• › Develop a broad network within the public policy community
• › Participate in coordinating a policy event
• › Interact with opinion writers
• › Learn how to successfully market a research project

The Fellowship may span up to 15 months. During the first six months of the Fellowship, the fellow will receive training and research assistance as well as develop a thorough grounding in think tank and idea marketing. Staff and outside trainers will ensure skill acquisition in research project assistance, op-ed and press release writing, blogging, foundation grant management, event direction, and public speaking.

During the final nine months, the fellow will work on a self-directed “Lead” project and may continue to work out of Pioneer’s office in Boston or, if mutually agreed with Pioneer, work remotely. The “Lead” project, defined and managed by the fellow, can be oriented toward research or practice. Pioneer’s staff will continue to be available for the Fellow’s guidance during this project phase. The Lead project will be compatible with Pioneer’s mission and approved by Pioneer’s
Executive Director prior to this second phase of the fellowship.

The Institute’s education policy priorities are related to charter, vocational, and virtual schools; inter-district public and private school choice; standardized testing and assessments; and teacher quality. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals for projects as part of the application process.

The Ruth & Lovett Peters Fellowship is available to applicants with Master’s level course completion; preferably those with an MBA, MPA, MPP, other Master’s programs or those currently enrolled in a doctoral program. The Fellow will report to James Stergios, Pioneer’s
Executive Director.

The Fellow will receive a stipend ranging from $45,000 to $56,000, depending on experience and other criteria, for the 15-month period.  Doctoral students may be eligible for a higher stipend.

Mandatory Requirements for Application

• › Reside in the Boston area during the initial six months of the program.
• › Be a recent graduate or currently enrolled in an accredited Masters or PhD program.
• › Possess a passion for public policy and goals consistent with Pioneer’s mission.
• › Possess solid skills in quantitative analysis, evidenced by graduate-level statistics and methods courses.
• › Be a U.S. citizen, have permanent residency, or possess Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization.

Applications and Process

Applications must be submitted and received electronically by November 30, 2012.  Selection of the fellow will be determined by a team consisting of both Pioneer Institute staff as well as external professionals.

No application will be considered unless all of the required information is submitted by the deadline.  Please e-mail:

• › Application form (attached).
• › A copy of both undergraduate and graduate transcripts (if selected, an official copy will be requested).
• › A recommendation from a faculty member using the form included above.
• › An essay (no greater than 600 words) explaining why you chose your current field of study, why your goals are consistent with Pioneer’s mission and how this Fellowship would help you to achieve your goals. We encourage you to also include the nature of projects you would propose for the last nine months of the Fellowship (with an understanding that the projects are subject to refinement).
• › If selected to proceed further, an interview will be conducted.

If you have questions about the fellowship, please contact:

Mary Z. Connaughton
Director of Finance and Administration
Pioneer Institute
85 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
E-mail: mconnaughton@pioneerinst.wpengine.com