Best and Brightest Management Fellowship Program (CO) Grant

Best and Brightest Management Fellowship Program (CO) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Last Updated: January 15, 2026

Summary

The Best and Brightest Management Fellowship Program in Colorado aims to connect students with local governments, providing valuable internships and fellowships that enhance their public service experience. Targeting high school and undergraduate students, as well as graduate students in public administration, the program promotes diversity and leadership within communities. By collaborating with universities and municipalities, it ensures that future leaders reflect the demographics of their communities while gaining essential skills for effective governance.

Overview

NOTE: Contact your academic program director to determine if this program is right for you and ensure you are enrolled and in good standing with your program. University partners will be asked to confirm enrollment and good standing before placement. Provide your resume, cover letter, and application to the Program Manager by March 1st.Graduate Fellows will be placed annually on July 1st, and should be prepared to make a two-year placement commitment. Best and Brightest Management Fellowship Program (CO) The Department of Local Affairs Best and Brightest Management Internship and Fellowship Program partners with counties, municipalities and universities across the state, striving to meet the needs of communities, engage future leaders, and meet students where they are in their professional development, connecting them to community work in public service. Initially named in recognition of a former Department of Labor Affairs Regional Manager, Cathy Shipley, whose career trajectory, dedication and love of local government exemplified the model of earning a Master’s in Public Administration while working in the field, this program combines classroom studies with the real world experience of working in the public sector. Cathy’s professional life proved to be an inspiration to those who followed her footsteps and it is with this model in mind that the Department of Local Affairs has long supported increasing capacity in rural Colorado, finding innovative ways for communities to meet their current administrative needs and look towards the future. This program actively forwards equity, diversity, and inclusion in public service and public administration studies. An integral component of that work is helping to mold new community leaders and setting the stage for their success. It is important that future leaders of our communities reflect our communities and this Internship and Fellowship Program is a natural pipeline to make that happen. The program will work with local governments, students and educators in various ways: Paid summer or semester internships for high school seniors Paid summer or semester internships for undergraduate students Two-year paid fellowship for MPA and MPPA students studying at the CU Denver’s Center for New Directions (Political Science), CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs, Adams State University, or College of Liberal Arts at Colorado State University These partnerships meet the following objectives: To increase the likelihood of high school students choosing a public service path once they enter post-secondary education To introduce local government real-world work at the undergraduate level, ensuring higher success at the graduate level To provide a unique opportunity for students to complete their graduate degree while gaining invaluable real world learning experiences To develop potential local government managers, planners, economic and community development directors To provide a way for the Department of Local Affairs to support small and/or rural jurisdictions in meeting their administrative staffing needs in the most cost effective way possible

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Regional Managers will identify potential jurisdictions and work with local managers to determine possible participation. Each jurisdiction will determine its own needs and job requirements for an intern or fellow. Local government managers considered for the program must develop a work plan and job description, including job duties. Mentorship plans are required for the two-year fellowship program.Best and Brightest Fellows:Best and Brightest Fellows must be Colorado residents at least 18 years of age who are enrolled in one of our partner graduate programs across the state:Adams State University Master in Public AdministrationColorado State University Master in Public Policy and AdministrationUniversity of Colorado Denver Center for New Directions University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public AffairsIndividuals accepted into the fellowship program will be expected to take all necessary credit hours according to the academic program in which they are enrolled and maintain good academic standing. Each University Partner has an identified verification process by which students are selected to apply and interview for a Fellowship position.