The 2026 application is live!
The ReNew Democracy Foundation is launching the search for their second cohort. The Foundation seeks to open doors for a diversity of new voices from across the country who want to make a difference in pragmatic, solutions-oriented, center-left congressional offices by supporting these new and current leaders with educational development opportunities, mentorship, and professional networking through the ReNew Democracy Fellowship. Apply today! The application closes June 30, 2025.
Apply for a chance to take part in a life-changing fellowship program. You could be like inaugural fellow Isaiah Simpkins, who reflected, “Never in my wildest dreams could I fathom that I would be standing here, in our nation's capital, as a staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives. This is what the ReNew Democracy Foundation is about: Creating an opportunity for people from unlikely backgrounds, to bring their experiences to the legislative process.”
ReNew Democracy Fellows will work side-by-side with Members of Congress and staff for nine months on legislative initiatives, meeting with stakeholders, conducting research, and developing expertise in specialized policy areas. They will also participate in professional and personal development programming, including the NextGen New Dem Staff Academy, workshops, and a capstone project. Each Fellowship recipient will focus on a key issue area, to be determined by the hosting office, such as housing, education, labor, and health. Up to five fellows will be employed by the Foundation and placed in a U.S. House of Representatives office from January 5 to September 25, 2026. For nine months, the Fellows will receive a $5,500 monthly salary and $1,000 in relocation reimbursement. Applications are due June 30, 2025.
To apply, applicants must:
Be lawfully authorized to work full-time without restriction for any U.S. employer. ReNew Democracy is unable to sponsor Fellows for temporary visas.
Complete an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution in the U.S. or territories by December 31, 2025.
Be able to relocate to the Washington, DC, area by January 4, 2026, and reside in the area for the duration of the fellowship.
Be able to participate in person full-time 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 Latino/Latina/Latiné/Latinx, Middle Eastern or North African, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, disabled, LGBTQ+, and/or are veterans are especially encouraged to apply.
If you have any questions, please contact fellowships@renewdemocracyfoundation.org.