Where Policy Impact Begins

Annual Fund support is not supplemental —it is catalytic. Every internship pursued, scholarship awarded, research breakthrough advanced, and policy solution tested begins with collective philanthropic investment. 

Throughout this report, you will see how annual giving fuels our mission to prepare policy leaders, as well as inspires visionary gifts that shape the future of Harris and our communities. Together, philanthropy powers the programs, partnerships, and people driving meaningful impact across the globe. 

"Policy is serious work for serious people. At Harris, our students, faculty, and alumni bring evidence, clarity, and purpose to the most pressing issues facing society, and work to turn promising ideas into meaningful action. I am deeply grateful to the Harris community for the generosity that makes this work possible."

Ethan Bueno de Mesquita

Ethan Bueno de Mesquita

Dean and Sydney Stein Professor

Harris School of Public Policy

The University of Chicago

Harris by the Numbers

Passion alone doesn't create impactful policy; it requires data and measurable results. At the Harris School of Public Policy, we treat policy development as a science. Our faculty and students bring a rigorous, data-driven approach to global policy issues. Here is a snapshot of Harris by the numbers.*

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Million: Total scholarship dollars awarded in FY26
Total scholarship dollars
awarded in FY26
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0
%
of our Master’s Degree students receive competitive, merit-based scholarships and fellowships.
of our Master’s Degree students
receive competitive, merit-based
scholarships and fellowships.
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0
average internship award per student
average internship
award per student
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average percent of students employed within six months of graduation
average percent of students employed within six months of graduation
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average number of students who secured internships
average number of students
who secured internships*

Acknowledgements

Alumni and friends who give annually to Harris provide pivotal resources to drive our mission. Philanthropy supports student life and financial aid, faculty research and retention, and the centers and institutes that contribute to Harris' global impact. In recognition of our most generous supporters, we have established the Harris Society. 

Members of the Harris Society are part of a community committed to Harris' future as a preeminent training ground for policy leaders. By making an annual gift at the Harris Society level, you can provide Harris with the greatest flexibility in responding to the needs of our community.  

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Harris Society

Building What's Next — Made Possible by Donors Like You

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New Degree Launched: Master of Science in Climate and Energy Policy

Harris launched the Master of Science in Climate and Energy Policy (MSCEP) in 2026, combining rigorous policy analysis with training in climate science, energy systems, and economic growth. Philanthropic support helps Harris develop timely, interdisciplinary programs like MSCEP, preparing students with the analytical tools to advance practical, evidence-based solutions to complex climate and energy challenges. 

"A game change is needed in the climate fight—one that works with humanity's aspirations for economic growth by relentlessly identifying how economics, policy, and markets can be used to pursue cheaper clean energy technologies. That's exactly what the MSCEP is focused on addressing." —Michael Greenstone, Founding Faculty Director, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth

Learn more about this new opportunity for students 

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    HPIC-Winners 2026
    Harris Policy Innovation Challenge
    The 2026 Harris Policy Innovation Challenge offered students a rigorous, team-based opportunity to tackle pressing policy questions. This year's focus: Chicago's policy toward professional sports teams and facilities. David Wells, MPP'98, MBA'98, and Sonya Moore-Wells' forward-thinking support helps sustain this signature, high-impact Harris learning experience.
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    Tech and policy internship
    Technology and Policy Innovation Fund
    Established through Dave and Nancy Sulek, Friends of Harris, the Technology and Policy Innovation Internship Fund supports students pursuing careers at the intersection of technology and policy. By expanding access to high-impact internships, the fund helps students apply their training to challenges and solutions involving artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
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    GIving Day 2026
    Harris Giving Day Success
    Donor support is the engine behind our work to serve society through analytical excellence and innovative policy ideas. Over 150 donors contributed more than $75,000 to support the future of the Harris School. This collective generosity strengthens our ability to provide world-class training for leaders who will tackle urgent global issues.

    Thank you to all who helped make this day a success!
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The Bike Shop @UChicago, Established in 2026

Led by Faculty Director Jens Ludwig, the Bike Shop @UChicago advances the emerging field of algorithmic public policy. Made possible by a transformative $20 million gift from Thomas, AB'81, MBA'86 and Susan Dunn, AB'82, the initiative develops AI-powered tools that enhance human decision-making and help governments put proven, evidence-based solutions to work at scale. 

"At The Bike Shop @UChicago, we'll curate a set of exemplars that are both proven and portable, with the full package behind them: rigorous evaluation, transparent methods, clear design standards and guardrails, and practical guidance so public agencies can implement these tools with accountability and confidence." — Jens Ludwig

Read more about The Bike Shop @UChicago

Careers In

Careers In Courses 

Throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, Harris continued to build upon its career-connected learning through a series of specialized courses that explore industry pathways, build professional skills, and connect students directly with industry leaders. By integrating career development into the academic experience, Harris ensures graduates are equipped with both rigorous analytical training and practical job-search preparation. Gifts to the Harris School strengthen and expand this experience for every student.

Careers in International Development and Municipal Finance drew strong student enrollment and deep engagement from leading employers — including the organizations below.

Learn more about our Careers In Courses. 

Careers In: Key Employers

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state farm
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UN women
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world bank group
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Hilltop Securities
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Illinois climate bank
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imago

Research Centers and Labs

Harris research centers and policy labs address pressing societal challenges while giving students hands-on experience in policy research and implementation. Working alongside world-class faculty and practitioners, students translate evidence into action across fields including public safety, health, education, climate, and economic mobility.

Annual philanthropic support sustains these engines of innovation, discovery, and impact. Learn more about Harris Research Centers and Labs.

  • Center for the Economics of Human Development
  • Center for Economic Policy
  • Center for Effective Government
  • Center for Health Policy
  • Center for Human Potential and Public Policy
  • Center for Impact Sciences
  • Center for Municipal Finance
  • Center for Survey Methodology
  • Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC)
  • International Innovation Corps
  • Stone Center for Research on Wealth Inequality and Mobility
  • Urban Labs

 

Students talking with their teacher in the classroom

Harris Social Impact Fellowship, Founded in 2026

The Harris Social Impact Fellowship prepares talented recent STEM graduates for careers in public policy and social impact. Selected from nearly 800 applicants, 15 inaugural Fellows will receive advanced analytical training while contributing to research across leading University of Chicago policy centers and labs. The fellowship was conceived and championed by Ben Appen and Leslie Chang, friends of Harris, whose vision and philanthropic commitment launched the initiative. It has been sustained through the generous support of many partners.

Learn more about the Harris Social Impact Fellowship and meet the inaugural cohort

The Harris Annual Funds Support Students Like This

Harris students are turning their potential into purpose — and donor generosity makes it possible. The Harris Annual Funds fuel opportunity for real people, confronting real issues, to create real impact far beyond our campus. Every gift helps build a community grounded in generosity, driven by purpose, and united by a shared belief in a better future built on evidence-informed policy. Hear directly from students supported by the Harris Fund, the Harris Alumni Scholarship Fund, and the Harris Internship Fund:

Maxwell Juhas, MPP'26, Harris Fund 

Maria Manjarrez Perez, MPP'26, Harris Internship Fund

Eemaan Khan, MPP Class of 2027, Harris Alumni Scholarship Fund

The Harris Annual Funds Support Research Like This

Donor generosity fuels the research that matters. The Harris Annual Funds support world-class faculty working on real problems to produce real evidence that shapes policy in communities around the globe. See the research your giving makes possible:

How can states determine the success of vocational rehabilitation programs?

Can negotiation training prevent violence between groups?

How does weather forecasting improve farmers' welfare?


Harris Alumni Highlights and Appreciation

Alumni Awards Presentation

Alumni Awards 2026

As part of Harris Reunion Weekend 2026 Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, Dean and Sydney Stein Professor, and the Harris Alumni Council Awards Chair Heather George, AM’19, presented four accomplished alumni of the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy with a Harris Alumni Award this year: Dan Tollefson, AM’19, received the CC DuBois Alumni Service Award; Eric Ham, MPP’04, received the Career Achievement Award; and Diego Macera, MPP’14, and Trina Reynolds-Tyler, MPP’20, each received the Rising Star Award.

Read more about the 2026 Alumni Award Winners

Harris Reunion Weekend 2026

Reunion Weekend at Harris, held April 30–May 4, 2026, brought together alumni from across generations to reconnect, reflect, and celebrate the enduring spirit of our community.

From thought-provoking conversations led by Dean Ethan Bueno de Mesquita, esteemed Harris Faculty, and scholars from across the University of Chicago, to the heartfelt recognition of alumni achievements at the awards dinner, the weekend was filled with moments of inspiration and connection.The festivities included a joyful celebration at Aster Hall, where milestone reunion classes gathered in honor of their shared Harris experience. Continued alumni engagement helps make this tradition stronger every year—we’re grateful to our reunion volunteers, attendees, and donors!

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Policy For: Alumni Spotlight Videos

Hear from Harris alumni turning their passions into policy that shapes communities and drives impact.

[Alum]inaries

Generations of Harris alumni have advanced research, teaching, and public impact—thanks to the philanthropic support of alumni and friends like you.

lu·​mi·​nary: A person of prominence or brilliant achievement.

Harris [Alum]inaries: Harris Alumni from around the world who are making significant contributions to the world of public policy.

convocation 2026

Congrats to the Class of 2026

Thanks to the generosity of Harris alumni and friends, the Class of 2026 engaged in rigorous academic work, advanced meaningful research, and contributed to initiatives that reflect the Harris School's core mission. We are proud of what they have accomplished and confident they will carry these principles forward as they pursue careers in public policy.

Harris By the Numbers (2023–2025 average)*