APPLICANTS
To be awarded a Fellowship, applicants must be selected from among other qualified applicants through a competitive application process. Less than 10% of those who apply are selected.
Please carefully review the Qualifications, Selection Criteria, Stipends, Expectations, and Application Process sections below to determine eligibility prior to starting an online application between October 16, 2024 and January 3, 2025.
HARVEY FELLOWSHIP MISSION
1. To identify and mark Christian graduate students who possess exceptional leadership and academic abilities, and validate these abilities as gifts from God, worthy of cultivation.
2. To equip them with financial resources necessary to undertake advanced study at premier graduate institutions in preparation for vocations that are culturally influential, and where there is little Christian presence.
3. To encourage Fellows to lead integrated lives, addressing important societal issues from within the framework of a Christ-centered worldview, by offering a forum for the exchange of ideas on the integration of faith, learning, and vocation, and encouraging the development of a network of talented Christians who are leaders in numerous occupational arenas.
Initiated by the Mustard Seed Foundation in 1992, and now overseen by the 28twelve Foundation, the program seeks to mark, equip and encourage individuals to actively integrate their faith and vocation as leaders in strategic occupations.
We understand God to be creator and sustainer, not only of human beings but of society’s disciplines and structures that make up our world. We believe God uses individuals to redeem these structures. We, therefore, desire to empower students who evidence the passion and ability to lead others as they participate in God’s work in the world. Through the program, the 28twelve Foundation seeks to identify, prepare, and celebrate this generation’s Daniels, Esthers, Josephs, and Lydias — people of God willing and able to assume positions of leadership and influence for the cause of Christ in fields such as media, government, scientific research, industry, the arts, and higher education.
The 28twelve Foundation would like to thank and acknowledge the Bakke Family and the Mustard Seed Foundation (MSF) for prayerfully envisioning the Harvey Fellows program and for their support of the program’s transition to the 28twelve Foundation. We are honored to carry the Harvey Fellowship legacy to future generations.
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section provides additional information commonly sought by applicants.
QUALIFICATIONS
The following are requirements to qualify for a Fellowship:
Christian Faith
All persons receiving support from the 28twelve Foundation must demonstrate personal faith in Jesus Christ and desire to serve and witness in his name. The Lausanne Covenant best articulates the theological vision of the 28twelve Foundation. All applicants must either affirm the Lausanne Covenant as an expression of their faith and theological understanding; OR submit a statement in their application articulating how their theological understanding differs from the Covenant. In addition, the Foundation expects to see a strong correlation between a successful applicant and involvement in his/her local church.
Graduate Study
An individual must be enrolled in or have applied to a full-time graduate program. The Fellowship is not awarded to individuals pursuing undergraduate degrees, post-doctorate or non-degree programs, or part-time studies.
Premier Institutions
An individual must be attending or applying to a premier university — typically those with an internationally recognized reputation as a “top five” program in the specific discipline, or studying with an advisor (and/or team) who is an internationally recognized expert in their field — which will likely position the individual for a career in top companies, institutions and organizations worldwide.
Strategic Fields
An individual must be able to demonstrate that their intended vocational field has a significant impact on society, and yet appears to be underrepresented by Christians. We understand that these fields may vary in different countries or contexts as applicants come from and are planning to work in different countries around the world. Therefore the applicant is responsible to make a strong case for the strategic nature and underrepresentation of Christians in the field or context in their application.
The most successful applicants tend to be preparing for careers in the following fields:
• Research, teaching, and administration at premier secular colleges and universities
• Economics, business, and finance in public and private sector
• International diplomacy, security, and business
• Journalism and media
• Film production and visual and performing arts
• Public policy and federal, state, and major city government
• Applied and theoretical sciences
Vocations we do not consider a priority for this fellowship include: work within a church or religious organization, civil service, elementary and secondary education, Christian education, homemaking, farming, not-for-profit relief and economic development, military service, private practice law or medicine, clinical psychology or counseling, social work, professional sports, and other fields that traditionally have attracted a higher percentage of Christians. While we value these disciplines and those who work in them, the purpose of this fellowship is to encourage scholarship and vocational pursuits in areas of significant societal influence in which a Christian presence is perceived to be minimal.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Criteria for selecting individuals for the Harvey Fellowship includes the applicant’s:
• Description of his/her Christian faith, and evidence of its strength and maturity
• Demonstrated ongoing commitment and accountability to the local church
• Articulation of the strategic nature of his/her vocational arena as a mission field and as a position from which to influence society
• Argument for the lack of a distinctive Christian voice in that field
• Demonstrated expertise within the discipline/field
• Demonstrated passion and ability to lead others
• Potential to impact people and systemic structures within the field through his/her vocational vision and commitment
• Ability to be successful in the chosen field of study, profession and cultural context
• Outstanding academic history
STIPENDS
Each individual selected for the Fellowship is awarded an initial stipend of $16,000.
Each individual selected for the fellowship is awarded an initial stipend of $16,000. Fellows are free to use their stipends for legitimate educational expenses which further their vocational goals including tuition, living expenses, research tools or travel, studio space, professional conferences, and interview travel. The number of Fellowships awarded each year (both new and renewal) varies according to available funds of the 28twelve Foundation.
Stipends may be renewed for up to two additional years. Funding may be provided for a total of two years for most master’s programs and a total of three years for law and doctoral programs. Stipend payments beyond the first year are contingent upon the Fellow’s good academic standing, reaffirmation of the statement of faith and vocational goal as articulated in the student’s application, timely attendance at a Summer Institute, the approval of 28twelve Foundation, and funds available to the Foundation.
EXPECTATIONS
Expectations of individuals chosen to be Fellows include the following:
Summer Institute
A significant component of the Harvey Fellows Program is a Summer Institute where Fellows meet to explore together the integration of faith, learning, and vocation. Typically held in Washington, DC in June, the Institute offers a unique opportunity to build networks for future interaction and encouragement. Participants learn from the examples of outstanding individuals who are committed to Jesus Christ and to a life of serving Him through strategic vocations.
New Fellows are expected to attend the Summer Institute as soon as one is offered (Institutes are held every other year). Funding is contingent upon attendance at an Institute. The 28twelve Foundation pays program costs for the Institute. Fellows are responsible for transportation to and from the Institute and are required to stay for the duration. All Fellows are expected to participate in one Summer Institute. The next Summer Institute will be in the Summer of 2025.
Stewardship
The Biblical concept of stewardship is central to the way mature Christians organize and prioritize their lives, by emphasizing the fact that all that we have — time, talents, and financial resources — have been given to us by God for his glory. In the selection of Fellows, the Foundation seeks to steward its resources to assist talented students to pursue the vocation to which God has called them. In return, the Foundation expects Fellows to continue to steward their lives to God’s glory and the building of his kingdom. All Fellows, as available, are expected to participate in Fellows activities through the 28twelve Foundation. This includes, first and foremost, participating in the annual process of identifying and selecting new Fellows, but also includes other opportunities, such as sharing promotional materials with potential applicants.
Community and Service
The 28twelve Foundation encourages the fostering of ongoing relationships among Fellows. This is achieved primarily through participation in the Summer Institute. In addition, the Fellows themselves organize events and programs to maintain these relationships. The hope of these relationships is to provide encouragement and support to live out one’s faith and vocation, and to counter the isolation often experienced in graduate school and in one’s profession. Senior Fellows (those having completed their degrees) are encouraged to serve as mentors to current Fellows. All Fellows are encouraged to actively foster and utilize the relational network and to thereby learn from each other as they pursue the vocations to which God has called them. A select group of Fellows serves on the 28twelve Foundation Board of Directors. The Board facilitates regional gatherings of Fellows, maintains an active prayer network among the Fellows, and participates in the selection of new Fellows.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The entire application must be completed by the deadline.
The application includes the following components:
1. Complete Contact Information
2. Current Resume or CV
3. Vocational Goal Statement
The vocational goal statement is a short summary of the applicant’s vocational goals. It should explain what the applicant’s degree program will enable him or her to accomplish.
4. Affirmation of the Lausanne Covenant
The Lausanne Covenant must be affirmed. Affirmation with qualifications to the Covenant are accepted.
5. Essays
Five essays are required and one is encouraged with a maximum 400 words each.
Essay #1: PERSONAL FAITH STATEMENT
Write a personal statement of your Christian faith (what it is that you believe). Explain the significance of your faith in Jesus Christ to your everyday life. Be sure to describe your involvement in a local church, and give examples of opportunities that you have had to demonstrate and evidence your faith.
Essay #2: VOCATIONAL GOALS
Briefly outline your vocational goals. Describe the factors that have motivated you to pursue your vocation. Be sure to reflect on your efforts to integrate your faith, learning and vocation.
Essay #3: IMPACT
Explain how this vocational arena impacts society at large, and how this vocation is strategic to Christ’s kingdom. Provide evidence that your chosen field is under-represented by Christians and tell us how you plan to impact your field for Christ.
Essay #4: LEADERSHIP
Reference at least one recent leadership experience related to your vocational goal. If possible, show how you have demonstrated the ability to lead others, particularly as the head of an organization or group. Describe how this experience has played a role in your development and/or informed your understanding of leadership in general.
Essay #5: DEGREE PROGRAM
Describe the special strengths of the degree program(s) to which you have applied, and how they compare to the acknowledged premier programs in your specialty. Discuss how these programs will prepare you to enter the job market and pursue a position of influence within your field.
Essay #6: OTHER (Optional, but encouraged)
Please state anything else that is important for us to know about you. We encourage you to share information you feel is important but have not had the opportunity to fully present in the other essays. You may wish to explain gaps in work/study in your resume, explain your work sample, expound upon your vocational goals, give another example of your leadership gifts, etc.
6. School and Degree Program Information
7. Recommendation Letters
Four recommendation letters are required. The letters must come from the applicant’s:
1) Current Local Church
2) Academic Advisor or Academic
3) Academic or Professional Field
4) Other Spiritual Recommender
8. Test Scores
GRE, LSAT, GMAT, or other test scores are required for those applicants who have not yet been admitted to their intended degree program. Test scores are optional for those applicants who have been offered admission, who have already begun their chosen course of study, or if the program to which the applicant is applying does not require test scores for admission. Official GRE reports may be uploaded to your application.
9. Official Transcripts
Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate programs through the most recent semester are required. Applicants may exclude transcripts from schools where a degree was not pursued.
10. Work Sample
The work sample may be a significant piece of academic work (research paper or excerpt, conference presentation, published work, scientific research proposal, recital tape, artwork, etc). Written work samples must be no more than 25 pages in total length. Artists may submit work samples up to a 1 hour run time. Music and video work samples must be uploaded to a website – we do not accept CD or DVD work samples. Only one work sample may be submitted.
The 28twelve Foundation is a US 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
APPLICATION FAQ
Qualifications
Q: Can non-Americans apply?
A: Yes! We encourage students from all nations to apply.
Q: Can individuals apply who are pursuing graduate study outside the United States?
A: Yes! Applicants can study anywhere in the world but are only competitive if the university has an internationally-recognized reputation as a “top five” program in the specific discipline.
Q: What do you mean by “top five”? My school is the best in my state/country.
A: “Top five” means that your institution has an internationally recognized reputation as being one of the best in the world. Therefore, by definition, very few institutions qualify. The Program is looking for individuals who are attending premier institutions which will likely position them for a career in top companies, institutions and organizations worldwide. If you can provide evidence that your school or program will enable you to be in such a position, you are welcome to apply.
Q: I have applied for admission into a program. Do I need to be enrolled before applying for a Fellowship?
A: No. However, while we do not require that applicants be enrolled in their degree program before they apply, we have found that PhD students (or applicants with longer degree programs) who have begun their programs are generally more competitive. It is easier to evaluate applicants who have completed some coursework and whose advisor knows them well. If selected, the award will be contingent on acceptance to a specific school and degree program listed on your application and approval by the selection committee. Please keep in mind that the application deadline is in January, notifications are in June of that year, and stipends are released in September. Applicants must be in their program the Fall following the January deadline.
Q: How do I demonstrate that my academic program is ranked among the “top five” in my field? Does the Program use any specific ranking system?
A: It is the responsibility of the applicant to make a compelling case that their program is ranked in the top five in their field (Essay #5). Applicants are invited to include documentation regarding their intended program of study (from professional societies or journals, experts in the field, etc.). While we favor degree programs ranked in the “top five” we do factor renowned scholars and researchers who have chosen to teach at schools ranked in the top ten and with whom the applicant plans to work.
Q: My field is not listed on your “strategic fields” list, but I think it is a strategic field. Should I apply?
A: It is the responsibility of the applicant to explain the strategic nature of your field (Essay #3). We are looking for individuals who are in fields that will have a significant impact on society, and yet appears to be underrepresented by Christians. If you can explain how your field fits this scenario, then we encourage you to apply.
Q: When can I apply? Are there deadlines?
A: The application season opens October 16, 2024 and closes January 3, 2025 (11:59 pm PST).
Q: I just learned about the Fellowship but it is after the deadline. May I still apply?
A: No. Applications are only received during the three-month application season outlined above.
Q: What if I experience a delay? Do you grant extensions?
A: No extensions are granted.
Q: Who reads my application?
A: Our readers are located around the globe, and their disciplines and expertise are as diverse as our applicants. Most, if not all of our readers are drawn from the pool of over 400 Harvey Fellows. The Selection Committee consists of the 28twelve Foundation Board and staff members. Applications are not circulated beyond those associated with the application review and selection process. Only applications from individuals who receive the Fellowship are retained by the Foundation.
Q: How are applications selected?
A: All applications completed by the deadline are reviewed, evaluated and ranked by at least one round of readers comprised of current and senior Fellows. Those applications that advance through two rounds of reading groups form the finalist pool.
Q: When will I be notified if I am selected?
A: All applicants are notified of award decisions by June 1.