Harvey Fellows Program, USA

The Harvey Fellows Program provides scholarships to Christian students who are pursuing graduate studies at premier universities in fields considered to be underrepresented by Christians and who possess a unique vision to impact society through their vocations.

Initiated by the Mustard Seed Foundation (MSF) in 1992, the Harvey Fellows 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 which 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 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.

Applicants must complete and submit an online application as well as four recommendation letters no later than November 1.

Qualifications

The following are requirements to qualify for a Harvey Fellowship:

Christian Faith
All persons receiving support from the Mustard Seed 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 Mustard Seed 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 Harvey 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:

• Economics, business and finance in public and private sectors
• 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
• Research, teaching, and administration at premier secular colleges and universities

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.

Stipends

Each individual selected for the Harvey Fellowship is awarded an initial stipend of $12,000. 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 Mustard Seed 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 Mustard Seed Foundation, and funds available to the Foundation.

Click here for further fellowship details and application