University Fellowship
at Princeton
.jpg)
Every year, the brightest students are recruited by consulting firms, banks, and tech giants: industries optimizing for margin, not meaning.
The Moral Ambition University Fellowship is an exclusive program for juniors at Princeton — and an invitation to choose a different path.
Let’s redefine success
We believe the next generation of leaders can — and must — channel their ambition toward solving the defining challenges of our time such as poverty, democracy, climate, and justice.
Over 10 transformative weeks and paying $15k for the summer, fellows will work full-time with a high-impact nonprofit organization, tackling problems that matter and learning what it means to build a career grounded in moral ambition rather than mere achievement.
.jpg)
.jpg)
The Program
Junior year is the biggest funnel into consulting and banking — two paths that capture the talent we most need elsewhere. The program is designed to break that pattern and expand how we define ambition at a community like Princeton.
application due
Applications for the program are now closed.
Ramp-up
During the spring, fellows will engage with bi-weekly speakers, participate in upskilling workshops, and take part in team-building and bonding activities designed to prepare them for the summer internship.
Internship
Fellows will complete placements at an exceptional host nonprofit. They will develop pivotal skills in modeling, policy research, and philanthropic innovation, gaining hands-on experience that prepares them to make meaningful impact.
Beyond
After the internship, fellows will gain lifelong access to the SMA network, contribute to recruiting and supporting the next cohort, and receive guidance for career placement post-graduation.
We offer
We're looking for
We’re seeking twelve exceptional Princeton juniors who refuse to accept that the only way to be “successful” is to sell out. You should be:
- Intellectually curious, relentlessly driven, and morally serious.
- Ready to take bold, thoughtful action in the face of daunting problems.
- Eager to spend your summer doing work that feels urgent, tangible, and transformative.
Frequently Asked Questions
For decades, elite universities like Harvard and Princeton have quietly funneled top talent into careers that optimize for margin, not meaning. In 2022, 58% of Harvard grads went into consulting, finance, or tech. If we can help even a small number of the best students at the most prestigious school redirect their talent toward solving real problems like climate change, inequality, or AI safety it can have a ripple effect across campuses (and boardrooms) everywhere.
Yes. Harvard and Princeton are just the beginning. We’re starting here to prove the model: that you can pay top students to do meaningful work and that they’ll take it. Once we show the impact, we plan to expand to other major universities across the U.S. Moral Ambition is a movement, not a one-campus experiment.
Yes — for now. These first fellowships are exclusively for Harvard and Princeton students. Future cohorts may open up to other schools, but this pilot is designed to build something deeply rooted in the Harvard and Princeton ecosystems first.
The School for Moral Ambition will execute a matching process between host organizations and selected students starting in May 2026 to ensure tight alignment. We anticipate that host organizations will be high-impact nonprofits with potentially disruptive approaches — for example, one host organization leads the largest no-strings-attached giving program in the world.
The selection process is skill-based, focusing on the relevant skills and mindsets crucial for success. After the initial application, which takes approximately one hour, the process includes a one-hour on-campus interview.
Please email laura@moralambition.org.
.jpg)
They Went Before You
Meet our EU fellows: a group of professionals from different backgrounds who are currently fighting Big Tobacco and helping transform the food system in the EU.
.jpg)
From the Field shares personal insights and stories from people working on some of the world's most pressing challenges. It is run by our Moral Ambition Fellows: professionals who left successful careers to work on challenges that are sizable, solvable, and sorely overlooked.
Discover More
.jpg)
Support Us
Start contributing to our mission today — whether it’s by giving your time, your resources, or your expertise. Explore the ways you can get involved and start driving meaningful change with us.
.jpg)
Our Community
The Moral Ambition Community already connects 25,000+ ambitious idealists from 150+ countries. Create your account to join events, expand your network and form a Moral Ambition Circle.
.jpg)
Join a Circle
Embark on a structured, peer-led program that uncovers your personalized path to greater impact. Alongside 6-8 peers, you will explore what moral ambition means to you.
