The University of Pittsburgh’s Global Studies Center awards H.J. Heinz fellowships to students from developing countries who wish to pursue a Master's degree and demonstrate potential as future leaders in the public, government, non-profit, or private sectors.
Candidates applying must meet the following criteria:
- Applicants must have been accepted to a Master’s program (beginning the academic year for which they seek the Heinz Fellowship) in either the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH), the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), the School of Law, the School of Education, or the School of Nursing.
- Applicants must have completed an undergraduate university degree.
- Applicants must be proficient in speaking, reading and writing English.
- Preference will be given to applicants at the early or mid-stages of their career.
- The Fellowship is intended for individuals in the practitioner and policy domains. It is not awarded for basic academic research, academic sabbaticals or medical research.
Fellowship Guidelines
During the residency, the Fellow is expected to give at least one presentation on a subject related to his or her professional experience to members of the University. In addition, the Fellow is strongly encouraged to participate in community outreach activities in the region by lecturing about his or her home country to an audience of high school students or interested adults.
Acceptance of the grant by the candidate constitutes an agreement between the grantee and the University. It is expected that, barring unforeseen emergencies, grantees will remain for the full tenure of the award. A grantee who leaves the U.S. or terminates the grant at a date earlier than that specified in the grant authorization, without consent of the University, will be required to reimburse the University for any expenditures made by the University on the grantee’s behalf.
Upon completion of the Heinz Fellowship program, Fellows are required to submit a final report describing and evaluating the full range of their activities and experiences during the Fellowship, as well as their plans upon return to their home country. These reports are subsequently distributed to program officials at the University of Pittsburgh and to representatives at the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation. These reports will also be used as references for incoming Fellowship recipients. Upon acceptance of their final report, Fellows will receive a Heinz Program certificate from the UCIS.
The Fellowship is a one-to-two year position. It covers support in the form of a living stipend of $20,000 (paid in monthly installments)
How to Apply
Candidates must indicate that they would like to be considered for the Heinz Fellows Program when submitting their Master’s program application. Candidates should please contact the professional school they applied to after receipt of their acceptance if they are interested in applying for the Fellowship. For more information contact Veronica Dristas.
Application Timeline
- Master’s program application deadline: Candidates should check the deadline for the school and academic year they intend to apply to.
- May: Winner notified
- August 1: Fellowship year begins
- June 30: Fellowship year ends.
See a list of our past Heinz Fellows.