Data Analytics & Urban Policy
Urban data tells stories of transit delays, rent burdens, heatwaves, and inequity. To shape a city is to understand those stories which requires seeing the signal in the noise.
Launching in Spring 2026, the Data Analytics & Urban Policy program is an intensive semester + summer opportunity for current undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates who are within two years of their graduation date, and want to use data to make cities work better for everyone. This program combines rigorous technical training with real-world public service experience, giving participants the chance to work directly inside city governments to help solve pressing urban challenges.
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Designed for individuals with interests in statistics, computer science, public policy, economics, or urban studies, the program builds the skills and experience needed to turn complex civic data into actionable insight. Participants begin with a virtual semester-long phase focused on core analytical tools, spatial methods, and responsible data use in government, meeting one day each week for two hours. ​The coursework phase then transitions into municipal placements, working directly inside city offices and departments through partnerships with participating local governments. Whether embedded in housing, transportation, public health, or innovation departments, participants work alongside city staff on applied projects that address real policy problems. These projects serve as the foundation for the student’s capstone, presented at the program’s conclusion to public officials, data leaders, and peers.
Program highlights include:
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Hands-on coursework in data analysis, causal inference, spatial analytics, and civic tech
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Real-world placement in a city department for the duration of the summer
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Mentorship from city officials and policy experts
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Capstone project based on work completed during the municipal placement
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Final showcase with feedback from urban policy leaders
Key topics include:
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Urban Data Analysis & Visualization
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Causal Inference for Policy
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Ethics of Data Use in Government
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Open Data & Civic Technology
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Spatial Analysis and Mapping Inequality
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Microeconomic Theory and Public Policy
This is not a simulation, program participants will work on real datasets, tackle real civic problems, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing policy work in U.S. cities. Whether you aim to shape the future of housing policy, improve mobility systems, or address health and equity disparities, the Data Analytics & Urban Policy program offers an unmatched opportunity to do so from inside the systems that shape urban life.
Key Information
Applications Open
Applications Close
Interview Period
Notifications
First Day
October 6, 2025
December 12, 2025
January 5 - 7, 2026
January 13, 2026
February 13, 2026
Explore work from previous students in collaboration with the Data-Smart City Solutions Program at Harvard University
Who Should Enroll?
The Data Analytics & Urban Policy program is uniquely suited for individuals who:
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Are passionate about applying data analytics to tackle real urban challenges such as housing, transportation, climate , public health, or civic innovation.
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Bring backgrounds or interests in fields such as statistics, computer science, public policy, economics, or urban studies, and want to deepen their technical and policy expertise.
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Are motivated to work inside city governments, applying rigorous analytical tools to real world problems, and gaining hands-on civic experience.
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Aim to amplify their academic and professional trajectory with high-impact placements, mentorship from city leaders and policy experts, and a portfolio-ready capstone project.
Why Enroll
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Blend of Academics & Real-World Impact: Begin with a semester of virtual, immersive coursework in data analysis, causal inference, spatial methods, and the ethics of civic data use. Then, dive directly into real-life municipal placements inside city departments to work on genuine policy challenges.
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Tangible Civic Contributions: This isn’t a simulation, participants use real datasets and engage with ongoing urban issues to help cities become more equitable, efficient, and innovative.
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Mentorship from City & Policy Experts: Gain invaluable guidance from city officials and policy practitioners throughout both coursework and placements.
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Capstone with Real Impact: Build and present a capstone project based on in-placement work, showcasing insights and solutions in front of urban policy leaders, city officials, and peers.
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Prepare for Leadership in Urban Innovation: You’ll leave the program with the technical skills, practical experience, and professional networks needed to shape urban futures, strengthening your readiness for roles or further study in urban data science and public service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
This program welcomes both current undergraduate and graduate students as well as recent graduates who are within two years of their graduation year and who have interests in relevant fields including data science, public policy, economics, computer science, or urban studies. We also welcome students from the humanities who have a background in analytical subjects and who are passionate about urban and public policies.
What is the structure of the program?
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Spring Semester: Virtual weekly sessions focused on analytical training in spatial analysis, causal methods, data ethics, civic tech, and microeconomic policy frameworks.
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Summer: Students are placed inside city government offices (e.g., housing, public health, transportation) to work on real policy challenges and capstone development. A full list of our city partners will be published later this year.
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What kinds of projects are involved?
Projects span real-world municipal issues like mapping urban inequality, designing interventions in transit systems, or using causal analysis to inform housing or health policy. Ultimately, it is up to the city and department to determine what you work on. All work informs the student’s capstone showcased at the program’s end.
Who will mentor or teach during the program?
Students receive guidance from city officials, urban policy, and data experts, providing a rare front-row experience in public-sector problem-solving.
How is this different from traditional academic programs or simulations?
Unlike classroom-only or simulated experiences, this program embeds students directly into city operations, where analysis, decisions, and solutions have real-world significance.
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When will the program launch and when can I apply?
The program launches in the spring of 2026 and applications will open in October 2025.
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What is the cost of this program?
This is a free program
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How many students are admitted to the program?
Applications to the institute's programs are competitive and approximately 12 students are admitted to each program's cohort.
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What is the structure of the program?
In the spring semester of the program, students meet weekly on Fridays via virtual sessions which includes foundational lectures, seminars, and analysis exercises.
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Following the spring semester, students will be matched with municipalities. This process is dependent on the needs of the municipalities, the areas of interest of the student, and their choices. The match process begins mid semester.
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How can I apply to the program?
Applications for the 2026 summer cohort will open in October, 2025
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How Will This Program Benefit My Career?
The program equips you with both the technical skills and practical experience that employers and graduate schools value most. You will:
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Develop advanced competencies in data analytics, causal inference, and spatial methods—tools that are in high demand across government, academia, and industry.
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Gain real-world experience inside city government, working on live policy challenges that impact communities, which sets you apart from peers with only classroom training.
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Produce a portfolio-ready capstone project that demonstrates your ability to apply data-driven insights to complex urban problems.
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Build a professional network of city officials, policy experts, and fellow innovators who can serve as mentors, references, and future collaborators.
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Strengthen your positioning for careers in urban policy, civic technology, data science, consulting, or public service, as well as for admission to competitive graduate programs.
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I am currently enrolled in a full-time academic program with a full course load for the semester, how will this program interfere with my current commitments?
The program is specifically structured to complement, not compete with, your existing academic commitments. Here's how it fits smoothly into your schedule:
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Virtual semester-phase is weekly and light: The program begins with a semester-long, virtual component that requires only one two-hour session per week, typically on Fridays, making it highly compatible with your current course load.
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Summer municipal placement runs during academic break: After the virtual coursework, you’ll transition into a hands-on summer placement within a city government department. Since this occurs during the summer, it avoids overlap with the regular academic year.
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Complementary learning, not a distraction: The program is designed to enhance rather than sideline your academic progress. The skills you’ll gain in spatial analysis, causal inference, civic tech, and data ethics will enrich and reinforce your existing studies in fields like statistics, policy, computer science, economics, or urban studies.
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In short, the program’s flexible weekly format and summer placement allow you to gain real-world experience without derailing your current coursework. Instead, you'll emerge with applied skills and insights that actively bolster your academic and professional journey.