Kennedy Institute

The Kennedy Institute of Ethics frames education around Georgetown’s “people for others” mission, emphasizing ethics engaged in real-world practice and supporting learning from undergraduate through professional levels. Through initiatives like the Ethics Lab, it emphasizes innovative, design-informed, collaborative learning that builds ethical expertise alongside technical and real-world context, aiming to move students from careful analysis toward responsible action on complex, evolving challenges.

The Kennedy Institute of Ethics itself does not publish a single, institute-wide “admissions” process; graduate degrees with a bioethics focus are earned through Georgetown’s Department of Philosophy, and applicants are directed to apply to the Philosophy Department. (kennedyinstitute.georgetown.edu) For the Institute’s Visiting Researcher Program, prospective visitors begin by emailing an up-to-date CV, a 1–2 page research summary, and a cover letter stating the purpose and inclusive dates; applications are rolling, but starts in June–August are generally not allowed unless special arrangements are made. (kennedyinstitute.georgetown.edu) For the McDonald-Agape Fellowship (a two-year, highly selective fellowship with only one fellow accepted per year, with the next fellowship beginning in 2026), applicants email a cover letter, personal statement, and CV to the program email address listed on the site. (kennedyinstitute.georgetown.edu) For the Intensive Bioethics Course (IBC47), participants register via the course registration link; early-bird pricing runs through April 14, 2026, and registration closes June 1, 2026 (with refund deadlines also posted). (ibc.georgetown.edu) The site does not describe a waitlist process; stated priority categories include (for the McDonald-Agape Fellowship) priority for physicians and for candidates with a demonstrated Christian orientation, while IBC pricing distinguishes Georgetown/MedStar registrants from all others. (kennedyinstitute.georgetown.edu)