FAQ

Applications open on May 1 and must be received by 11:59pm PT on June 30, 2026 to be considered. Foundation staff will evaluate applications and move selected applicants to an interview round with Advisory Board Members. Fellowships will be awarded by October 2026, and recipients will begin their fellowships in January 2027.

All fellows will work in a Congressional office with responsibilities based on the needs and request of the office, which may range from those of a general legislative assistant to a legislative coordinator. Fellows will learn legislative procedure and may be assigned a portfolio of key issue areas determined by feedback from Board Members and fellowship recipients. Fellowship recipients will be expected to closely follow their focus issue area and produce policy analysis and proposals to support their sponsoring office and serve as capstone projects. Product examples include draft legislation; administrative/regulatory proposals; and collaborative public-private partnerships using convening power.  Potential focus areas include: Health Care; Technology and Telecommunications; Workforce Development; Climate/Clean Energy; Housing; and Economic Growth.

Fellows will be W2 employees of the ReNew Democracy Foundation and paid $5,500 a month, which is sufficient to cover housing, health insurance, and transportation. The Foundation will additionally provide $1,000 in relocation support to Washington, DC and pay for at least one trip to the host office’s home district.

No, unfortunately the Foundation cannot provide direct financial assistance for housing, but will provide guidance and resources to help fellowship recipients secure housing,

The Fellowship starts on January 4, 2027 and ends on September 24, 2027.

Recent community college or four-year college graduates interested in Congressional public service. To apply, applicants must be lawfully lawfully authorized to work full-time without restriction for a U.S. employer, and:

• Complete an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or territories by December 31, 2026. 

• Be able to relocate to the Washington, DC, area by January 3, 2027, and reside in the area for the duration of the fellowship. 

• Be able to participate in person for the duration of the fellowship. 

• Demonstrate academic aptitude. 

• Demonstrate an interest in a career in policy and public service. 

• Applicants who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, Native American, or Indigenous, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latiné, Middle Eastern or North African, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, disabled, LGBTQ+, and/or are veterans are especially encouraged to apply.

The Foundation solicits requests from pragmatic, solutions-oriented congressional offices able to fulfill the requirements of hosting a fellow and will match fellowship recipients with interested offices through a final interview process.

If you want to make a difference in public service, you should apply! If you have any additional questions, contact fellowships@renewdemocracyfoundation.org.