Leadership in Government Fellowship Program (US)

The fellowships will allow recent government leaders to reflect on their public service, expand their network and knowledge, and insert their unique perspectives and expertise into the public dialogue.

Funding Information

• Fellows will receive a stipend in a general range of $115,000 to $160,000 depending on percentage of time committed to the project.
• Projects are either 12 or 18 months in duration.

Costs Covered

• These grant amounts are all-inclusive—that is, they are intended to cover a fellow’s living expenses, project-related expenses, travel, conference fees, health insurance, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Leadership in Government Fellowship program seeks fellowship applicants who have served in senior-level, full-time government positions in the United States and its territories. The ideal candidates are public servants who have recently completed their time in government (within the last two years) or will have completed their term prior to the beginning of their fellowship and have served in the chief executive role or senior management of their agency or office.
• Ideally, applicants see themselves serving as change agents within government in the future or are looking to apply their public service experience to an advocacy career. People of all political parties or ideologies are encouraged to apply, especially those who expand ideas and approaches to social change.
• Successful applicants will demonstrate the following qualities: a keen interest in reflecting on their government service; a passion for solving problems and implementing policy; a desire to advance ideas beyond their former jurisdictions; and a desire to inject their work into the public dialogue.
• Applicants who are uncertain whether their government experience or proposed project fits within the parameters of the fellowships guidelines may submit an email inquiry before proceeding with the full application.

Selection Criteria

• The selection committee for the Leadership in Government Fellowship program will evaluate applications and consider whether the applicant’s balance of experience and profile, track record, and depth of expertise give reason to believe that the project will be successfully completed and will support the applicant’s professional development.
• The committee will also consider how well the topic of the project aligns with the mission of championing the search for bold, democratic solutions to their urgent, common challenges that advance rights, equity, and justice, and how the proposed work product will advance the understanding of how to make progress on the chosen issue(s).
• The selection committee will review proposals and nominate a select group of finalists.
• The finalists will be invited to interview virtually in middle of September 2025 with the selection committee. From the pool of finalists, a small number of applicants will be awarded fellowships.

Application Requirements

• Resume
• Completed Cover Page and Proposal

For more information, visit Open Society Foundations.