Applicants to the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs’ Master of Public Affairs can now apply for a new scholarship: the Equity in Policy Scholars program.
The new program, open for applications until Jan. 15, is geared toward applicants who may otherwise be disadvantaged in the public policy field or unable to apply to the MPA due to financial barriers. Eligible applicants include graduates of historically black colleges or universities, Hispanic-serving institutions or tribal colleges or universities. The program is also open to Rhode Island residents, first-generation college students, U.S. veterans or active military duty personnel and applicants meeting other eligibility criteria.
The Watson committed $2 million to the program’s development in February.
The program seeks to remove potential barriers underrepresented students may face in an effort to “encourage people to pursue a career in the field of public affairs,” said David Blanding MA’09 PhD’13, the faculty director of the MPA program.
Of this year’s applicants to the MPA program, five students will be admitted to the Equity in Policy Scholars inaugural cohort beginning in the 2025-26 academic year.
The new initiative offers financial assistance, including a full tuition scholarship, a $20,000 stipend for living expenses, a $500 professional development fund and a $3,250 fellowship for service-learning opportunities or research.
Citing financial hardship as one potential obstacle for students pursuing a career in public affairs, Blanding said “money is perhaps necessary to help address the barriers or disadvantages,” but added that “it’s not sufficient.”
Students admitted to the program will also receive a Brown alumni mentor, attend Watson networking events and have access to “exclusive group mentorship sessions,” according to the Watson’s website.
The program has been in development for over a year and was partly inspired by the Health Equity Scholars program at the School of Public Health, according to Catherine Rodarte, the MPA program’s associate director of admissions and recruitment.
“We hope to attract and enroll MPA students and overall future leaders, who will go on to address equity issues within the policy and public affairs landscape,” Rodarte wrote in an email to The Herald. Blanding also hopes the program will increase the diversity of student perspectives in the classroom.
