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2027 Govern For America Fellowship: Incumbent Pathway

Govern For America
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Join the Movement!

The Govern For America Fellowship is a competitive two-year program for emerging public sector leaders ready to build lasting careers in government. Through hands-on leadership training, dedicated mentorship, and a national community of peers, Fellows gain the skills, relationships, and support to drive meaningful change from within public institutions. As a Fellow, you will continue developing as a leader while contributing to the work already happening in your community and government agency.

About the Incumbent Pathway

The Incumbent Pathway is designed for current government employees who want to participate in the full GFA Fellowship experience while remaining in their existing roles. Rather than participating in GFA's matching process or securing a new role, Incumbent Fellows continue in their current government positions while engaging fully in the Fellowship's leadership development, professional development, mentorship, and community experience. Your role may look different from the work of other Fellows, but you will join the same two-year Fellowship and national community of emerging public sector leaders.

What You May Do in Your Role

Incumbent Fellows work across a variety of government agencies, functions, and issue areas. The work you do will depend on your current role and agency. Eligible roles must focus on one or more of the following subject areas:

  • Education
  • Economic Mobility
  • Workforce Development
  • Health
  • Human Services
  • Housing

Depending on your position, your work may include:

  • Developing or implementing policies, programs, or services.
  • Conducting research and analysis to inform government decisions.
  • Using data and evidence to evaluate programs and improve outcomes.
  • Managing projects, initiatives, or strategic priorities.
  • Building partnerships across agencies, communities, and sectors.
  • Engaging residents and incorporating community perspectives into your work.
  • Communicating complex information to a range of stakeholders.
  • Identifying opportunities to improve systems and create better outcomes for the communities you serve.

What You'll Do as a Fellow

While continuing in your current role, you will participate fully in the GFA Fellowship. Over two years, Fellows engage in skills-based leadership development, mentorship, peer learning, networking, and community-building opportunities. The Fellowship is designed to help emerging public sector leaders strengthen their ability to lead, navigate complex systems, collaborate with others, and create meaningful change. GFA's Fellowship curriculum is centered around 9 Core Leadership Competencies. You will participate in regular gatherings and professional development opportunities while learning alongside a cohort of emerging leaders from across the country.

What You'll Get

  • Two years of structured leadership and professional development.
  • Training centered around GFA's Core Leadership Competencies.
  • Dedicated mentorship and coaching.
  • A national community of peers working across government.
  • Opportunities to build relationships with public policy experts and government leaders.
  • Peer learning, networking, and community-building opportunities.
  • Continued connection to the GFA alumni network after completing the Fellowship.
  • Travel and accommodations for required in-person Fellowship gatherings.

Incumbent Fellows remain employees of their current organizations. GFA does not place Incumbent Fellows into new roles or employ them directly.

Eligible Roles and Locations

To participate in the Incumbent Pathway, you must currently be employed in an eligible government role. Your role must:

  • Be located in one of GFA's eligible geographies listed below.
  • Be a state government role or a local government role located in or near an eligible city or region.
  • Focus on one or more of the following subject areas: Education, Economic Mobility, Workforce Development, Health, Human Services, or Housing.

Eligible geographies for the 2027 Fellowship include:

  • Arizona: Tucson
  • California: Fresno, San Rafael, San Francisco's Mission District, and Oakland
  • Colorado: Northern Denver area
  • Connecticut: Norwalk and Stamford
  • Delaware: Wilmington
  • Florida: Orlando
  • Kentucky: Berea and Appalachian Kentucky
  • Maryland: Baltimore
  • Massachusetts: Boston
  • Minnesota: St. Cloud and Northfield
  • Ohio: Akron and Dayton
  • Oklahoma: Tulsa
  • Oregon: Portland
  • Rhode Island: Providence
  • South Carolina: Spartanburg
  • Tennessee: Memphis and Shelby County
  • Texas: San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas
  • Utah: Salt Lake City
  • Washington: Tacoma and Seattle
  • Wisconsin: Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee

Application Deadline

The deadline to submit a complete application for the 2027 Incumbent Pathway is April 9, 2027. We strongly encourage you to apply as early as possible because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and review capacity is limited. Applying earlier gives your application the best opportunity to be considered.

Training Dates

Participation in the Fellowship requires attendance at all program gatherings. Fellows will participate in two in-person gatherings and six virtual gatherings over the course of the Fellowship. Travel and accommodations for required in-person events are provided by GFA. Fellows will need to coordinate with their supervisors to ensure they are available for all required training dates.

  • Summer Institute, In Person: June 14–20, 2027
  • Year 1 Fall Gathering: September 9–11, 2027
  • Year 1 Winter Gathering: December 2–4, 2027
  • Year 1 Spring Gathering: March 2–3, 2028
  • Year 2 Fall Gathering: September 14–16, 2028
  • Year 2 Winter Gathering: December 7–9, 2028
  • Year 2 Spring Gathering: March 8–9, 2029
  • Summer Institute Graduation, In Person: June 28–July 1, 2029

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the 2027 Incumbent Pathway, applicants must:

  • Be currently employed in an eligible government role within one of GFA's eligible geographies.
  • Work in a role focused on Education, Economic Mobility, Workforce Development, Health, Human Services, or Housing.
  • Be able to remain in their current role while participating in the two-year Fellowship.
  • Be available to attend all required Fellowship gatherings.
  • Submit a complete application by April 9, 2027.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to public service and a desire to grow as a public sector leader.

We actively encourage applicants who have been traditionally underrepresented in government leadership, including people of color, first-generation college students, women, gender non-conforming individuals, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Govern For America is committed to equal opportunities in employment. Every Fellow has the right to participate in an environment free from all forms of discrimination. We welcome eligible applicants without regard to color, religion, race, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, military status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, age, or any other status protected by law.