Since 1985 the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs has hosted a Junior Summer Institute (JSI) as part of its proud tradition of promoting diversity at Princeton University and in the public service arena. For more than 30 years, students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives with a wide range of life experiences have come to campus to further their commitment to public service.

The goal of the program is to prepare students from diverse backgrounds -- including underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities and students from families with lower socio-economic status -- for graduate study and careers in public policy.  We believe that by encouraging a diverse cadre of leaders to consider careers in public service, we will strengthen the leadership capacity of government and nonprofit organizations throughout the world.

The JSI fosters the development of skills essential for the analysis, evaluation and development of public policy in both the domestic and international spheres, with emphasis on critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and written and oral communication.

In addition to Princeton’s PPIA Junior Summer Institute, five other prominent schools host PPIA summer institutes: the University of California at Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, and the University of Washington.

For additional information, please visit the PPIA program website.

2023 Program Calendar

The program will be delivered in-person in the summer of 2023.

Junior Summer Institute Dates: Thursday, June 8 - Saturday, July 29.