Govern For America (GFA) Fellowship 2026 | ($45,000–$75,000 Salary)

If you are an early-career leader in the United States committed to public service, the 2026 Govern For America (GFA) Fellowship is your opportunity to launch your government career. This competitive, two-year paid fellowship places emerging leaders into full-time roles within state and local government agencies, equipping you with training, mentorship, and a powerful network. Applications open November 1, 2025. Here's everything you need to know.

📚 Fellowship Summary

• Location / Host institutions: State and local government agencies across the U.S. (various states with high-need placements)

• Funder: Govern For America (nonpartisan nonprofit) in partnership with government agencies

• Duration: 2 years

• Target group : Recent graduates or soon-to-be graduates, early-career individuals, especially underrepresented groups in government leadership

• Fields / focus / pathways: Four major pathways: Policy, Data, Health Policy, Environmental Policy — placements depend on skillsets and agency needs

• Benefits:

  • Competitive salary (approx. US$45,000 to US$75,000 depending on location and agency)

  • Benefits package tied to the government agency (health insurance, paid time off, etc.)

  • Relocation assistance / emergency support (case by case)

  • Leadership training, coaching, mentorship, community network, alumni engagement

• Application window: Application opens November 1, 2025, and closes December 8, 2025 

• Start date: Fellowship begins in late June 2026, with a Summer Institute from June 24 to July 2 in person, before transitioning to the government agency role

  
  

🎓 Fellowship Overview & Structure

The GFA Fellowship combines a full-time government job with a parallel leadership development program. The idea is that you’re not just learning — you’re doing — working alongside senior government staff on real, mission-critical initiatives.

🧩 Key structural elements include:

• Summer Institute (in-person) at the start of the fellowship (~7 days) for orientation, cohort bonding, and foundational training

• Quarterly training modules anchored in 9 “Leadership Competencies” (equity, data, collaboration, strategy etc.) — delivered virtually and sometimes in person

• Mentorship and coaching: regular check-ins with GFA staff, peer mentors, and access to the League of Innovators (GFA’s experts and alumni network)

• Hands-on placement: Fellows serve in state/local government agencies (policy, data, health or environmental portfolio) for two full years, working alongside agency staff on pressing issues. The government agency is your employer; GFA supports you outside regular hours with programming.

• Alumni & network engagement: After the 2-year term, you remain part of the GFA community, with access to career support, events, volunteer opportunities, and ongoing engagement.

🎁 Benefits — What you gain

• A stable, full-time salary and benefits from your placement agency (range ~US$45,000 to US$75,000 annual)

• Relocation assistance or emergency support, on a case-by-case basis

• Intensive professional development: leadership training sessions, coaching, mentorship, peer learning, and structured check-ins

• Access to a wide professional network: over 250 policy experts, previous Fellows, public-sector leaders

• Hands-on impact: direct involvement in government priorities, actual policy/regulatory project work, real outcomes in communities

• Continued support & alumni engagement after fellowship concludes

✅ Eligibility & Selection Criteria

To be considered for the 2026 cohort, you must meet:

• Authorization to work in the U.S. for a full two years (GFA does not sponsor visas)

• Have completed (or be on track to complete) a bachelor’s degree by June 2026

• Be available to begin the Fellowship in late June 2026, including being present for Summer Institute (June 24 – July 2)

• Demonstrated interest in public service, equity, and civic impact through experience, essays, or extracurriculars

• Flexibility to serve in government roles in any state or locality with high need (current placements include states such as Connecticut, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania)

• Preference given to candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups in government (people of color, first-generation college students, LGBTQIA+ individuals, those from low-income backgrounds)

Selection is competitive; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so earlier submission is encouraged.

📝 Application Process

Here’s how to apply (step-by-step):

1. Submit your application online using the GFA portal starting November 1, 2025 

2. Complete required components: personal info, essay responses, pathway selection, location preferences, resume/CV

3. Participate in selection stages: video interview, group case study, virtual interviews with partner agencies

4. Final placement matching with state/city agency and begin fellowship with Summer Institute in June/July 2026

5. (Optional) If you are a deferral candidate (having deferred in a prior cycle), you may fill out a deferral form to re-enter the process, typically at the video interview stage.

6. 📆 Application deadline: December 8, 2025

💡 Tips & best practices

• Use lived experiences and explicit examples in your essays; show empathy, systems thinking, and why government matters to you.

• Be transparent about your willingness to relocate or serve in different geographies — flexibility increases your match potential.

• Try to complete your application early; GFA reviews on a rolling basis and early applications give your file full attention.

🚀 Final Thoughts & Advice

The 2026 Govern For America Fellowship offers a unique bridge into public service — pairing real government work with leadership development and support. If your mission is to shape equitable policy, serve underserved communities, and build a meaningful career in government, GFA provides a supported path to do so.

🔗 Details & Apply

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