Application Guide
How to Apply for Research Fellowship
at Partners for Public Good
🏢 About Partners for Public Good
Partners for Public Good (PPG) is a nonpartisan team of practitioners who embed themselves in state and local governments to strengthen operational systems like procurement, staffing, budgeting, and technology—not just advise. Unlike traditional consultancies, PPG stays until change actually happens, and they run the Procurement Excellence Network, a community of 3,000+ government professionals. This makes it a unique place for early-career researchers who want their work to directly improve how governments deliver for residents.
About This Role
The PPG Research Fellowship is a six-month, part-time (15–25 hrs/week) paid opportunity for early-career researchers to conduct policy-relevant background research, collect and analyze data using rigorous methods, and co-author publications on one of five high-priority topics in public procurement and local government operations. Fellows receive dedicated mentorship and contribute directly to PPG's mission of helping governments deliver better outcomes, while working remotely with some travel to collaborate with government partners.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing literature on a procurement policy question, cleaning and analyzing survey or administrative data, and drafting a section of a co-authored report. You'd also have check-ins with your PPG mentor, collaborate with other fellows, and occasionally travel to meet with government partners to gather insights or present findings.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Partners for Public Good Is Looking For
- Early-career researcher (e.g., recent master's graduate, PhD student, or equivalent experience) with a strong foundation in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including data collection, cleaning, and analysis.
- Demonstrated interest in public sector operations, procurement, or local government effectiveness—through coursework, internships, or prior research projects.
- Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into clear, policy-relevant publications for government audiences.
- Self-directed and organized, able to manage a part-time research project remotely while collaborating with a distributed team and traveling occasionally to meet with government partners.
📝 Tips for Applying to Partners for Public Good
Highlight any experience you have with public procurement, local government operations, or policy research—even if it's from a class project or volunteer work. PPG values practical relevance over prestige.
In your application, explicitly connect your research interests to one or more of PPG's five pre-determined high-priority topics (e.g., procurement modernization, vendor diversity, contract performance). Show you've thought about how your skills fit their agenda.
Demonstrate your ability to work independently and manage a part-time project: mention specific examples of self-directed research, deadlines met, and how you prioritize tasks.
Show familiarity with PPG's implementation-first approach by referencing their work with governments or the Procurement Excellence Network in your cover letter or interview.
Since the role requires travel, briefly note your access to a major U.S. airport and willingness to travel as needed—this signals you've read the logistics and can meet the requirement.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific research skills and how they apply to policy-relevant background research and data analysis in a government context.', "Why you're drawn to PPG's mission of improving government effectiveness through hands-on implementation, not just recommendations.", "Which of the five high-priority topics you're most interested in and why, showing you've done your homework on PPG's research areas.", 'Your ability to co-author publications and translate research into actionable insights for practitioners, with examples of past writing or research outputs.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read PPG's website, especially their 'About Us' and any published research or case studies, to understand their implementation approach and the Procurement Excellence Network.
- → Look up the five pre-determined high-priority topics (if listed) or recent PPG publications to identify which aligns best with your skills and interests.
- → Explore the backgrounds of PPG's team and mentors to understand their expertise and how you might learn from them.
- → Search for news or reports about public procurement challenges in state and local governments to familiarize yourself with current debates and PPG's potential impact.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention PPG, procurement, or local government—shows lack of genuine interest.
- Overstating research experience or claiming expertise in methods you can't discuss in detail; PPG values rigor and honesty.
- Ignoring the part-time and travel requirements—failing to address your availability or access to an airport can disqualify you early.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Partners for Public Good!