# Hiring an SDP Fellow ## **Who Does SDP Place as an SDP Fellow?** Placed Fellows are recruited by SDP via a competitive nationwide search. They are matched to SDP partner organizations where they are placed and hired as full-time, paid, agency employees for two years. They bring impressive credentials in statistics, data management, and research methods. Alternatively, "Nominated Fellows" can be nominated by their existing organization, in which case they go through the alternative [fellowship nomination process](/enroll-agency-fellow). ## **Process** 1. **Informational Call:** To ensure you and your agency have a full understanding of the SDP Fellowship program, and before submitting your application, you should schedule a 15-30 minute Zoom call to learn more about the program and our timeline. Please email to schedule this informational call if you have not done so already. 2. **Online Application:** Submit an application detailing your organization's need for an SDP Fellow, the type of work or project you have in mind, and administrative information. Applications open on August 25, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and we encourage you to apply as soon as you are able. The final deadline will be March 16, 2026. 3. **Hiring Profile:** As a part of the application process, your agency will be required to complete a hiring profile form in collaboration with an HR representative. Your responses will outline the position description, qualifications, and hiring requirements. 4. **Partner Review Call:** You will join SDP leadership, along with SDP outreach and program representatives, for a 60-minute Zoom call to further discuss your goals, anticipated obstacles, and share more information about the fellowship. Partner agencies that are new to hiring a candidate from the SDP candidate pool are expected to invite a representative from your agency's HR department to join this call. 5. **Contract Execution:** All partner agencies must sign a formal MOU with Harvard, outlining the obligations and expectations of the fellowship program. 6. **Candidate Review and Matching**: After the MOU is fully executed, SDP will send you candidate materials to review. Prospective Placed Fellows apply to SDP and undergo a multi-stage application and selection process consisting of technical assignments and behavioral interviews. Upon completion of this process, one or more suitable Placed Fellows are identified for your agency to interview as the finalist(s). The Placed Fellow you identify and hire will become an employee of your agency. You will work with SDP to make an offer to your top candidates with a start date on or before September 1, 2026. 7. **Fellowship Acceptance:** Once the MOU is fully executed and a formal offer of employment has been signed by a finalist, partners and fellows will receive a formal acceptance letter to the SDP Fellowship as well as information about onboarding and orientation. Supervisors and fellows participate in onboarding and orientation activities beginning in Fall 2026. ## **Timeline** We recommend applying sooner rather than later to ensure you have the greatest chance of finding a match. Partnership applications for hiring a Placed Fellow for Cohort 18 (Fall 2026 - Summer 2028) open **on August 25, 2025** and all applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Following application review, we will inform you within 2 weeks about your next steps through the process. ## **Cost** There is a partnership fee associated with hiring an SDP Fellow. This fee is payable up front or in installments. The SDP Fellow partnership fee covers the recruitment, screening, and matching of your fellow as well as all activities and travel over the two-year fellowship, including: - workshops (and airfare/lodging) for the fellow and the supervisor - full access to toolkits and network resources - virtual learning - a faculty or expert advisor in the second year to ensure the rigor of your fellow's project - support for a completed analytic project commissioned by your agency. The total fee is $49,500. Partners are also responsible for paying their Placed Fellow a salary between $75,000-$95,000, plus benefits for the duration of the fellowship. ## **Learn More** Are you interested in hiring an SDP Fellow and partnering with SDP? [Email us](mailto:sdprecruitment@gse.harvard.edu) with questions or [schedule a call](https://calendly.com/alison_segal/sdp-partner-opportunities). [Start the Partnership Application](https://sdp.smapply.io/prog/c18_partner/)