
Apply to the Nonprofit and Public Interest Fellowship
Applications are open for the Nonprofit and Public Interest Fellowship, and will close on 11:59pm PT on April 18, 2023. If you have questions about this program, please reach out to us at aspentechpolicyhub@aspeninstitute.org.
Our Nonprofit and Public Interest Fellowship is a full-time in-person fellowship with an optional final project to support public interest organizations in achieving policy impact. The fellowship will consist of two blocks: 1) a mandatory full-time policy bootcamp that teaches fellows the basics of policymaking, including practical exercises (July 10-July 28, 2023, in the Bay Area); and 2) an optional final project (July 31-September 15, 2023, remote).
We are seeking US-based organizations working in the public interest – for instance, nonprofits, public benefit corporations, unions, or university centers – that want to build a capacity to change policy. To be eligible, your organization (or the unit within your organization that is applying) must not currently employ any policy or government relations staff or lobbyists and must have at least one leader available to join us as a fellow for 3 weeks in the Bay Area. We will prioritize admitting organizations focused on science, technology, cybersecurity, or a related field. We will also prioritize organizations that work directly with communities who face marginalization and/or that seek to tackle disparities around race and ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and other aspects of diversity.
Every organization will designate one primary leader to participate in the training program. A person positioned to succeed in this program would likely have at least 5 years of work experience, be a strong writer, and a desire to participate more meaningfully in policy. This person also should be well positioned within their organization to lead or help lead policy initiatives going forward. We know everyone is unique, so if you do not have those exact skills, you’re still welcome to apply. If space permits, organizations may be able to send a second leader to the policy bootcamp free of charge.
Participants will be paid a $6,000 honoraria to defray costs of participating in the in-person fellowship. Out of town participants will also receive a small stipend to cover travel to the Bay Area. If space permits, organizations may be able to send a second leader to the policy bootcamp free of charge.
Please note that our program provides non-lobbying advocacy training. We do not teach participants to lobby or run political campaigns.
Hub staff will host informational webinars on March 23, April 5, and April 11, 2023. See here to register.