About the PPP Study Group

The Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Study Group is Harvard Kennedy School’s primary venue for students to analyze and learn about public-private partnerships. Chaired by Alan M. Trager, senior fellow at the Ash Center, the PPP Study Group meets weekly throughout the spring semester to examine past and current partnerships, theories, and frameworks. The PPP Study Group also tries to make a tangible impact on public policy problems by developing and implementing new partnership ideas. The deadline for the Spring 2013 PPP Study Group has now passed. Please contact Mariya Krasteva (krasteva@mit.edu) for questions on future offerings related to public-private partnerships.

The PPP Study Group’s format offers participating students the opportunity to fully engage in a practical study of real-world partnership activity and to embark on research, internship, and employment opportunities associated with public-private partnerships in a variety of countries and asset classes.

Past Participants

The PPP Study Group is designed to support domestic and international students with considerable analytical capabilities and real-world experience in the public and private sectors, and with a strong interest in public-private partnerships. In the Spring 2012 Group, 35 percent of participating students were enrolled in joint degree programs with Harvard Business School or MIT Sloan.

"By 2050, China's elderly population is projected to reach over 450 million—over 33 percent of the total population. Reliance on the family network for elderly care is not sustainable in the long term, and my research explored alternative models of care." ~Shannon Ding, MPA/ID 2012 and PPP Study Group graduate. Read more about Ding's experience with the PPP Study Group»

"The PPP Study Group is an excellent educational journey with the right combination of cases, professional experience, sharing and field practice. The learning and internship experience from public-private partnerships helped me transition well from a student to an education entrepreneur in China." ~Liang He, MPP 2011 and PPP Study Group graduate

How to Apply

Enrollment is competitive. Approximately 70 - 90 students apply for 30 slots each semester, and only the most qualified and experienced students are selected. Selection preference is given to Harvard Kennedy School students.

We received 90 applications for the Spring 2013 semester, and the application process is now closed. For questions on future offerings related to public-private partnerships, please contact Mariya Krasteva (krasteva@mit.edu) and Alan M. Trager (alan_trager@harvard.edu).