Managers must meet the following criteria for eligibility:
Work Status Criteria:
- Seven years or more of full-time service within a Commonwealth Executive Department.
- Currently employed at EOAF, EOED, EOE, EOEEA, EOLWD, EOHHS, EOHLC, EOPSS, EOTSS, EOVS, and MassDOT.
- Paid from the AA subsidiary.
- Good standing, Full time and active employment status.
- Classified as Management levels MV - MXII within the Executive Department or be a member of the Massachusetts State Police Department classified as a Lieutenant or above.
Academic Criteria:
- Have graduated from an undergraduate accredited institution.
- Be accepted to the Mid-Career MPA Program at Harvard Kennedy School.
- Not submitted their application for the Bradford Fellowship or to the Mid-Career MPA Program at Harvard Kennedy School more than three (3) times.
Additional Criteria:
- Must have completed their HRD Required Statewide training requirements in MassAchieve, and any related performance management and evaluation requirements in MassPerform.
- Recommended by leadership to complete the Fellowship.
- Communicate, collaborate and work with their organization, to determine a mutually agreed upon return-to-work strategy and plan with their leadership, upon the completion of their degree.
- Be willing to sign an agreement to serve in Massachusetts state government at the Commonwealth in the same or higher-level management grade for a minimum of two years following graduation, or, to repay the salary received while attending the program if they default on this agreement.
- Applicants who hold a graduate degree must address what a Master in Public Administration would offer than their current graduate degree does not.
Not eligible
The following categories of Commonwealth of Massachusetts employees are not eligible to participate in the Bradford Fellowship:
- Contract employees.
- Employees classified as below level MV.
- Employees in non-management (bargaining unit) positions.
- Employees classified below Lieutenant.
- Employees in positions classified at level MV who occupy a qualifying position in an "acting" capacity.
- Employees appointed directly by the Governor; whose salary, by statutory requirement, is set by the Governor.
- Employees of the Office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Attorney General and State Treasurer.
- Employees of public institutions of Higher Education.
- Employees of the Legislative and Judicial branches.
- Employees of Massachusetts public authorities or other quasi-public agencies.
- Employees of county government organizations.
- Employees of Commonwealth Independent agencies, or commissions.