Scholars in Service
Supporting Stanford faculty to take leave and serve the public sector
The Scholars in Service program supports faculty to take a period of leave from the university and embed themselves within a government or nonprofit organization. The program, run jointly by Stanford Impact Labs and the Haas Center for Public Service, provides financial and professional support so faculty can exchange ideas and learn with practitioners so as to generate new research insights and explore practical applications. It is an opportunity for faculty to develop partnerships and gain an in-depth understanding of the policy and programmatic context related to their area of scholarship, thus informing their future research and teaching.
“From a learning standpoint, this time has been invaluable. I know much more about the working and operationalizing of federal policy development."
The program provides salary support for up to two quarters of leave, as well as support for direct travel and housing costs. We also support faculty in identifying a relevant host organization, creating a program of focus for their leave, and offering one-on-one guidance throughout their period of service.
“It’s a fantastic idea and program – I hope the idea diffuses to other colleges and universities as well.”
To learn more about Scholars in Service, please contact Alex Carr (acarr2@stanford.edu).
Interested in Becoming a Scholar in Service?
The application for Scholars in Service will open in August 2023. For prospective participants who are interested in the program but have yet to identify a partner/host organization, please submit an expression of interest and a member of our team will contact you to discuss further.
Submit an Expression of Interest
What Does It Mean to Be a Scholar in Service?
Stanford Impact Labs and the Haas Center for Public Service heard from Stanford faculty members Jim Fearon, Gopi Shah Goda, and Ira Lit on lessons from a year in Washington, D.C. embedded in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. federal government.
View the Event Recording
2023-2024 Cohort
2023 Scholar in Service; Assistant Professor, Religious Studies

2023 Scholar in Service; Professor, Pediatrics
2021-2022 Cohort

2021 Scholar in Service; Professor, School of Medicine

2021 Scholar in Service; Professor, Political Science

2021 Scholar in Service; Senior Fellow, Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research

2021 Scholar in Service; Professor, Graduate School of Education

2021 Scholar in Service; Associate Professor, School of Medicine
2020-2021 Cohort

2020 Scholar in Service

2020 Scholar in Service; Professor, School of Medicine

2020 Scholar in Service; Professor, School of Medicine