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White House Fellows Program

WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS FOUNDATION

Foundation Annual Youth Leadership Grants
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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

April 22, 2026

14 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

White House Fellows Program

Funder: White House Fellows Foundation and Association

Program Type: Prestigious leadership and public service fellowship

Overview: Founded in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the White House Fellows program is one of America's most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. Selected individuals spend a year working as full-time, paid Fellows to senior White House Staff, Cabinet Secretaries, and other top-ranking government officials. Since 1964, more than 800 superbly qualified young Americans have served as White House Fellows.

Purpose

The program aims to provide gifted and highly motivated young Americans with first-hand experience in the process of governing the Nation and a sense of personal involvement and responsibility in the leadership of society.

    Geographic Scope

  • United States - U.S. citizens only
  • Work placements in Washington, D.C.

Key Components

#### Work Placements

  • Full-time, paid positions as assistants to senior government officials

  • Placements with White House Staff, Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries, and other top-ranking officials

  • Responsibilities include: participating in interagency meetings, designing and implementing federal policies, drafting speeches, representing agencies on Capitol Hill, and participating in international treaty negotiations

  • Typically one-year fellowship beginning in September

    • #### Education Program

  • Weekly speaker seminars with dozens of distinguished leaders including Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet Secretaries, senior White House officials, Members of Congress, military leaders, journalists, historians, business executives, NGO leaders, and foreign heads of state

  • Off-the-record, frank discussion sessions

  • Domestic policy trips

  • Potential international policy trips (in some years)

  • Annual Education Grant provided by the White House Fellows Foundation to support the President's Commission

      • Eligibility Requirements

    • U.S. citizenship required
    • Must have completed undergraduate education before beginning the application process
    • Federal government employees are not eligible (except career military personnel)
    • Record of remarkable early-career professional achievement
    • Evidence of leadership skills and potential for further growth
    • Demonstrated commitment to public service
    • Skills to succeed at highest levels of federal government
    • Ability to work effectively as part of a team

      Selection Criteria

    • Remarkable early-career professional achievement
    • Leadership skills and potential for further growth
    • Demonstrated commitment to public service
    • Skills to succeed at the highest levels of the federal government
    • Ability to work effectively as part of a team

      Selection Class Size

    • Typically 11-19 Fellows selected per year
    • Recent classes have averaged 14-16 Fellows

      Non-Partisan

    • Fellowships awarded on a strictly non-partisan basis
    • Commissioners encourage balance and diversity in all aspects of the program

      Administration

      The President's Commission on White House Fellowships oversees the program:
    • Commissioners select Fellows annually
    • Commission office staff administer all aspects of Fellowship work placements and educational programs
    • Director of the President's Commission leads full-time staff

    The White House Fellows Foundation and Association (501(c)(3), established 1969):

  • Alumni association comprised of all who have served as White House Fellows since 1964

  • Supports current and former Fellows through activities, conferences, travel, and other support

  • Provides annual Education Grants to support the President's Commission

  • Recruits qualified candidates for future classes

      • Historical Context

    • Established by Executive Order 11183 on October 3, 1964
    • Initial funding of $305,000 provided by the Carnegie Foundation in 1964
    • First class of 15 Fellows selected in June 1965
    • First selection committee chaired by David Rockefeller

      Contact

    • Website: whff.org
    • See website for contact information and FAQs

    How to Apply

    Application Process for 2026-27 Class

    Deadline: Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 5 pm EDT

    Application Format: Online application system

  • Allows revision and saving of work in draft form until final submission

    • Eligibility Requirements

    1. U.S. citizenship required 2. Must have completed undergraduate education before starting application process 3. Federal government employees are not eligible (except career military personnel)

    Application Materials

    #### Resume/CV Section

  • Standard resume or curriculum vitae

    • #### Six Required Essays
    Each essay has specific word limits and will be studied closely during selection.

    1. Current Employment (200 words max)
    - Provide brief description of work you currently perform
    - Expand on, not repeat, information in resume

    2. Most Significant Achievement – Professional (200 words max)
    - Describe what you consider to be your most significant professional contribution

    3. Most Significant Achievement – Community Service (200 words max)
    - Describe what you consider to be your most significant voluntary contribution to your community

    4. Lifetime Goals (300 words max)
    - Describe your life's ambition
    - What you hope to accomplish or achieve in your lifetime
    - What position you hope to attain

    5. Memorandum for the President (500 words max)
    - Write a memorandum for the President making a specific policy proposal
    - Explain why you think it is important
    - Explain what issues it raises
    - Explain why you think the President should support your proposal
    - Note: This essay typically generates the most interview questions; place particular emphasis on this essay

    6. Motivation for Becoming a White House Fellow (300 words max)
    - Describe your motivation for applying to the program
    - Identify your major strengths and qualifications
    - Explain what benefits you feel are likely to result for society from your participation

      Application Tips

    • Polish and proof all essays carefully
    • Ensure application is free of typos or misspellings
    • Make the most cogent and compelling arguments possible
    • Place particular emphasis on the Memorandum for the President essay

    Selection Process Timeline

    #### Stage 1: Written Application Review

  • White House Fellows Program office processes all applications

  • Former Fellows screen applications to identify most promising candidates

  • Approximately 100 of the most qualified applicants selected as Regional Finalists

    • #### Stage 2: Regional Interviews

  • Location: Multiple cities across the country

  • Timing: Varies by year and location

  • Format:

    • - Introductory dinner the evening before (candidates meet each other and panelists)
    - Full day of interviews the following day
    - About a dozen Regional Finalists participate in each regional panel
    - Each interview is 20 minutes
    - Typically involves one finalist and two to three panelists
    - Panelists have studied written application in detail
    - Questions focus heavily on essays, especially the Memorandum for the President
    - Structured interview format
  • Outcome: Approximately 30 finalists selected to proceed to National Interviews

    • #### Stage 3: National Interviews ("Selection Weekend")

  • Location: Washington, D.C. area

  • Timing: Typically held in June

  • Format:

    • - Three evenings and two days of interviews
    - Dinner on evening prior
    - Minimum 10 formal 20-minute interviews (compared to 4 at Regionals)
    - Interviews with members of the President's Commission
    - Multiple meals and activities to evaluate finalists in formal and informal situations
    - Evaluation in both individual and group situations
  • Outcome: 11-19 finalists selected as White House Fellows

    • #### Stage 4: Placement Week

  • Location: Washington, D.C.

  • Timing: Approximately one month after Selection Weekend

  • Format:

    • - Fellows interview with various offices in the Executive Branch
    - Interviews with departments, agencies, and White House offices
    - Multiple placement interviews with different departments and agencies
    - May include follow-up interviews
    - Fellows prioritize list of potential assignments
    - Offices rank order Fellows based on background, capability, and expertise
  • Outcome: Director of the President's Commission (in consultation with White House, Department, and Agency officials) determines work placement for each Fellow

    • #### Stage 5: Orientation and Start

  • Orientation and onboarding process

  • Fellows typically begin work placements in September

      • Application Instructions

    • See Office of Personnel Management press release and application instructions (linked on website)
    • Continue to check website for updates when online application window "goes live"

      Accessibility

    • Program is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities throughout the application process and through the Program itself
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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    youth-leadership

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