✨ Should I Apply for Pardee RAND Graduate School Fellowship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
13%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60–80 hrs
Time Required
Low
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
Approximately $30,000 to $50,000 annually (via OJT earnings)
⏱
Duration
5 years
🗓
Deadline
January 5 (Annual)
🎓
Fields
Policy Analysis
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 20 to 25 per year
🌏
Study Country
United States
🏛️
Provider
Pardee RAND Graduate School
📊
Acceptance
Approximately 10-15%
The Pardee RAND Graduate School offers a unique Ph.D. in Policy Analysis where students serve as assistant policy analysts on RAND research projects. This On-the-Job Training (OJT) model allows students to earn a stipend while their tuition is fully funded by the school and through research grants.
👥 Who Should Apply
Open to high-achieving individuals globally who hold at least a bachelor's degree and demonstrate a commitment to public policy research.
🤝 Sponsor
RAND Corporation
🎓 Fields of Study
Policy Analysis
✨ Key Benefits
All admitted students receive a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition and provides a stipend through paid On-the-Job Training (OJT) on RAND research projects.
Provided through On-the-Job Training (OJT) research work
Total Award
Approximately $30,000 to $50
✈️ Travel: Available for select research and conferences🏠 Accommodation: No (Paid from stipend)💊 Health Insurance: Yes🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: $50 (Waivers available)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
100%
🏠 Living Stipend
Provided through On-the-Job Training (OJT) research work
🏡 Accommodation
No (Paid from stipend)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Available for select research and conferences
💊 Health Insurance
Yes
🎁 Other Benefits
Laptop allowance, research travel grants, and access to RAND Corporation resources
🔄 Renewable
Yes
📋 Renewal Conditions
Maintenance of satisfactory academic progress and OJT performance
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Bachelor's degree minimum; strong quantitative and analytical skills
🎓 Academic Level
Doctoral (Ph.D.)
📊 Minimum GPA
Check official website (Highly competitive)
🗣️ English Requirement
TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for non-native speakers
💼 Work Experience
Preferred but not required
🏆 Leadership
Demonstrated potential for policy leadership
💰 Financial Need
No (Merit-based admission)
🎯 Target Students
Graduate students / Early-career researchers
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (Personal statement and research interests)
Rec Letters
Yes (3 letters)
Interview
Yes
Application Fee
$50 (Waivers available)
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Yes (3 letters) Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for non-native speakers
Interview: Yes
Min GPA: Check official website (Highly competitive)
📋 Application Process
Emphasize quantitative abilities, analytical thinking, and how your research interests align with RAND's project portfolios.
💡 Insider Tip: Highlight any experience with data analysis tools like R, Python, or Stata, as the program is highly quantitative.
🗺️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
September 1 (Annual)
⏰ Deadline
January 5 (Annual)
🎤 Interview
Yes
🎓 Study Starts
September
September 1 (Annual)
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
January 5 (Annual)
Application Deadline
Submit complete application — no late entries
Yes
Shortlisting & Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
September
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic excellence, GRE scores, analytical aptitude, and fit for the RAND research environment.
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Pardee RAND Graduate School FellowshipCurrent
United States
Full Funding
Doctoral (Ph.D.)
—
🇺🇸 Johns Hopkins University Undergraduate Financial Aid (Need-Based)
Open to high-achieving individuals globally who hold at least a bachelor's degree and demonstrate a commitment to public policy research.
This scholarship covers: All admitted students receive a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition and provides a stipend through paid On-the-Job Training (OJT) on RAND research projects.. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is January 5 (Annual). Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: Low. Acceptance rate: Approximately 10-15%. Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for non-native speakers, Yes (3 letters) recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.