Cambridge, Massachusetts (May 20, 2026)—The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative today introduced its 2026 cohort of Summer Fellows, bringing together graduate students from four Harvard University graduate and professional schools to support city leaders in addressing complex local challenges.

The Initiative—a program of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University—equips mayors and senior city officials to tackle pressing issues and improve the quality of life of their residents. By engaging Harvard graduate students in research and field work, the Initiative supports current city leaders while investing in future generations.

The Summer Fellowship program reflects a growing priority for the Bloomberg Center for Cities: cultivating the next generation of public servants equipped to lead in city government. By connecting Harvard students with hands-on opportunities in municipalities around the world, the Center is helping cities access critical talent while preparing students for impactful careers in public service.

After receiving 144 applications from students representing seven Harvard schools, the Initiative selected 24 fellows, its largest cohort to date. This year’s cohort includes highly accomplished graduate students from the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Kennedy School, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Fellows will work directly in U.S. and international cities—all recent participants in the Initiative’s programs—to contribute to priority projects, offering research, analysis, and strategic recommendations to help improve government performance and outcomes for residents. These experiences give students direct exposure to the challenges and opportunities of local governance while helping cities advance high-priority work.

“Behind every city solving its hardest problems are people who choose public service, and these fellowships help talented students find that path,” said David Margalit, Executive Director of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University. “This program gives students the opportunity to work alongside city leaders tackling real challenges, while bringing their energy, perspectives, and analytical skills to the work of city government.”

“It’s reassuring to see interest in local government continue to grow,” said Pascha McTyson, Director of Student Engagement at the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. “This year’s cohort is our largest to date, with the highest number of international city placements. We’re delighted to see that the demand for talent in local government has been matched by an equal interest from eager and curious students.”

Many of the fellows connected directly with the mayor from their placement city during a Global Mayors at Harvard event at the Center, which elevated their excitement and motivation to make meaningful impact.

Elija Kozak earned a Master in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School and worked on public engagement and accountability in Santa Clara, California as a Summer Fellow in 2025.

“The Bloomberg Harvard Summer Fellowship provided my first exposure to the inner workings of city government,” Kozak said. “That fellowship grew into my first public sector role as a policy analyst in Santa Clara, where I am involved in planning for Super Bowl LX and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For someone seeking a seamless career pivot into city leadership after gaining a Harvard master’s degree, this program was a truly life-changing experience.”

Since 2018, the Initiative has placed 184 Harvard graduate students in paid summer roles in 147 cities across 17 countries. Some Summer Fellows have been hired for full-time roles in cities after the conclusion of the fellowship term.