the 2027 fellowship application is live!
The ReNew Democracy Foundation fellowship is back for its third year running, and we are searching for our next class of aspiring public servants to serve in Congress. New graduates face economic uncertainty, a stagnant job market, and limited opportunities for public service. New pathways to public service are more important than ever. The ReNew Democracy 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. The application opens today, May 1st and closes June 30th, 2026.
Apply for a chance to make a difference in a Congressional office, your community, and the trajectory of your career. 2026 Fellow Mahika Meesa had this to say about her experience:
“The ReNew Democracy Fellowship Program opened doors I never knew existed. It immersed me in Capitol Hill, connecting me to mentorship, knowledge, and opportunity. Through this experience, I built meaningful relationships and gained skills that have reshaped my future and clarified my purpose in public service for years to come.”
ReNew Democracy Fellows 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, workshops, and a self-directed capstone project. Each Fellowship recipient will focus on a key issue area, to be determined by the hosting office. Up to five fellows will be employed by the Foundation and placed in a personal office of a Member of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 4 to September 24, 2027. For nine months, the Fellows will receive a $5,500 monthly salary and $1,000 in relocation reimbursement. Applications are due June 30, 2026.
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, 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 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.