Applications Invited for the Presidential Fellows Program 2025-2026 Cohort

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About the Organization

The Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) is a non-partisan convener of leaders and experts from the government, private sector, and academia that works to foster bipartisan solutions to our nation’s most pressing challenges, often with a national security focus. The Center’s approach focuses on research, convening, and leadership development across our program areas.

About the Fellowship

We are excited to offer two different pathways for students to become a Presidential Fellow.

• At-Large program:

Launched in 2021, the At-Large program allows students from non-partner institutions to apply for the Presidential Fellows Program. The initiative was created to broaden the diversity of our cohort and expand access to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. Past Fellows have come from schools such as Wabash College, Saint Louis University, and Spelman College—none of which have formal partnerships with CSPC.

At-Large Fellows are selected through a competitive application process by our Presidential Fellows Advisory Board, comprised of alumni of the program. We especially encourage applications from students belonging to groups historically underrepresented in this program and similar leadership development opportunities. At this time, applicants must be enrolled at a U.S.-based college or university.

Selected students will be required to:

• Participate in monthly virtual seminars from September 2025 through May 2026
• Attend an all-expenses-paid conference in Washington, D.C. (March 21–25, 2026)
• Complete a 10–15 page original research paper on the presidency or Congress

While this Fellowship does not provide monetary funding, all participation costs, including conference expenses, are fully covered.

• Innovation Fellowship:

The Innovation Fellowship provides a pathway for students from a STEM background to join the Presidential Fellows program and gain exposure to the federal policy-making process. Students from both non-partner and partner institutions are eligible to apply. With the increased role of advanced technologies in our society, the political system will require more technical expertise from policy practitioners. CSPC aims to provide the stepping stones for STEM students to engage in the policy sphere. Please read more about the history of the Fellows program here.

Innovation Fellows are selected through a competitive application process by an Advisory Board comprised of alumni of the program. At this time, applicants must be enrolled at a U.S.-based college or university.

Selected students will be required to:

• Participate in monthly virtual seminars from September 2025 through May 2026
• Attend an all-expenses-paid conference in Washington, D.C. (March 21–25, 2026)
• Complete a 10–15 page original research paper centered on science and technology related topics through the lens of the Presidency and/or Congress

While this Fellowship does not provide monetary funding, all participation costs, including conference expenses, are fully covered.

Key Update for 2025-2026 Cohort:

CSPC is excited to announce that for the 2025-2026 Fellowship year, all programming will center on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, which takes place on July 4, 2026. The primary change will be to the required research paper. While Fellows may still choose topics related to the presidency and/or Congress, they must incorporate the theme of the 250th Anniversary into their research.

This means that Fellows should frame their chosen topic within the broader historical narrative of the nation's growth, challenges, and evolution over the past 250 years. The introduction and conclusion of their paper should explicitly connect their topic to the significance of the anniversary.

For example, a Fellow writing about current immigration policy might begin by discussing America's foundation as a nation of immigrants and highlighting major milestones in immigration policy over the last two and a half centuries.

Eligibility

At-Large program:

• Be an enrolled sophomore, junior, senior, or advanced degree student majoring in any field of study for the entirety of the 2025-2026 academic year at an accredited U.S. college or university. Students graduating in December 2025 are not eligible for participation in the At-Large Fellows program.
• Must have a demonstrated interested in an aspect of the American government and should be comfortable speaking, presenting, and writing specifically about the American presidency or Congress.
• Open to U.S. or non-U.S. citizens studying in the United States.
• GPA of 3.0 or above

Innovation Fellowship:

• Be an enrolled sophomore, junior, senior, or advanced degree student for the entirety of the 2025-2026 academic year at an accredited U.S. college or university. Students from both non-partner and partner institutions are eligible to apply. Students graduating in December 2025 are not eligible for participation in the Presidential Fellows program.
• Must have a major or minor in a STEM field.
• Open to U.S. or non-U.S. citizens studying in the United States.
• GPA of 3.0 or above

How to Apply

We are accepting applications for the 2025-2026 cohort until July 1.

Application:

To apply, please complete the form below. In addition, a recommender must submit the recommendation form linked on the right.

The application includes:

• Long-form answers
• Resume upload
• Unofficial transcript upload
• Short writing sample upload

Letter of Recommendation:

Applicants are required to have one (1) recommender submit the below form.

We encourage students to ask someone that knows them well, either in an academic or professional capacity.

The form includes basic information about the recommender’s relationship to the applicant, along with a place to submit their letter of recommendation.

For more information please check the Link

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