Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) Presidential Fellows Program

Since 1970, Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) fellows have traveled to Washington, D.C. to learn about leadership and governance, to share their outstanding research and to explore careers in public service. While attending the conference, the fellows participate in workshops where they present and receive peer feedback on their research projects. The fellows also have the opportunity to engage with policy experts, government officials and leaders in the legislative process. 

The At-Large program allows students who do not attend a CSPC partner institution to participate in the Presidential Fellows program. CSPC particularly welcomes applications from members of minority groups historically underrepresented in this program and similar leadership development initiatives.

Traditionally open only to students from partner institutions (which you find on our website here), CSPC has two fully-funded pathways for students from non-partner schools to become Presidential Fellows. The At-Large Fellowship was created in 2021, the initiative was created to broaden the diversity of our cohort and expand access to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. The Innovation Fellowship (STEM-focused) was created in 2025, the Innovation Fellowship experience is comparable to the rest of the cohort with the caveat that Innovation Fellows must center their paper on science and technology related topics through the lens of the Presidency and/or Congress.

July 1

• Be a domestic or international student studying in the U.S.
• Have a GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Be available to attend all portions of the program. 
• Have a demonstrated interested in an aspect of the American government
• Open to undergraduate and graduate students

For the Innovation Fellowship (STEM-focused)

• Open to undergraduate and graduate students at U.S. institutions (international students studying full-time at an American institution are welcome)
• Major or minor in a STEM field required
• Minimum 3.0 GPA

Apply on the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress website.