At-Large
Fellows Program

The application for the 2026-2027 Cohort is now open and will close July 1 at 11:59 pm EST

Program Overview

Launched in 2021, the At-Large program allows students from non-partner institutions (see Partner Institutions here) to apply for the Presidential Fellows Program (learn more about the history of the program here).

The mission of the initiative is to broaden the diversity of our cohort and expand access to students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. We especially encourage applications from students belonging to groups historically underrepresented in this program and similar leadership development opportunities.

Past Fellows have come from schools such as Wabash College, Saint Louis University, and Spelman College—none of which have formal partnerships with CSPC. At-Large Fellows are selected through a competitive application process by our Presidential Fellows Advisory Board, comprised of alumni of the program. At this time, applicants must be enrolled at a U.S.-based college or university.

Selected students will be required to:

  • Participate in monthly virtual seminars from September 2026 through May 2027

  • Attend an all-expenses-paid conference in Washington, D.C. (April 3-7, 2027)

  • Complete a 10–15 page original research paper on the presidency or Congress

While this Fellowship does not provide monetary funding, all participation costs, including conference expenses, are fully covered. This includes:

  • Participation in monthly virtual events with prominent policy experts, political figures, journalists, and private-sector leaders. 

  • Round-trip travel to Washington, D.C. 

  • Room and board for five days in Washington, D.C.

  • Excursions in and around the Washington, D.C. area.

  • Attendance at CSPC events like the Annual Awards Dinner. 

  • Networking events with Presidential Fellows alumni and CSPC Staff, Trustees, and Counselors. 

Learn More About the Program

Spring 2026 Newsletter

A Fellow’s Reflection

Informational Brochure

Application Materials

Application

To apply, please complete the form below. In addition, a recommender must submit the recommendation form linked on the right.

The application includes:

  • Long-form answers (view sample answers here)

  • One-page resume upload

  • Unofficial transcript upload

Student Application
Student Application

Letter of Recommendation

Applicants are required to have one (1) recommender submit the below form.

We encourage students to ask someone that knows them well, either in an academic or professional capacity.

The form includes basic information about the recommender’s relationship to the applicant, along with a place to submit their letter of recommendation.

Recommender Form
Recommender Form

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Be an enrolled junior, senior, or advanced degree student majoring in any field of study for the entirety of the 2026-2027 academic year at an accredited U.S. college or university. Students must attend a non-partner institution (see Partner Institutions here). Students graduating in December 2026 are not eligible for participation in the At-Large Fellows program.

    • You must be physically present at your home institution during the Spring 2027 semester. Study abroad participation is permitted in the Fall semester, but not in the Spring.

  2. Must have a demonstrated interest in an aspect of the American government and should be comfortable speaking, presenting, and writing specifically about the American presidency or Congress.

  3. Open to U.S. or non-U.S. citizens studying in the United States.

  4. GPA of 3.0 or above

Selection Criteria:

The Advisory Board evaluates each application with the following weights:

  • 50% - Research Paper Topic

    • Competitive applicants will have a well thought-out and specific proposal that has clear relevance to the presidency and/or Congress. The quality of writing is equally important as the strength of the topic, and unique or original topics are a plus.  

  • 50% - Fit with At-Large Fellowship Mission & Goals

    • This category includes

      • The first two long-form answers (why do you want to be a Fellow & what diversity you bring to the program)

      • One-page resume

      • Letter of recommendation

    • We would like to emphasize that when reviewing the resume, we look for a range of diverse academic and extra-curricular experiences while also considering the applicant’s workload and how successful they might be in the Fellowship program.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sydney Johnson Martindale - sydney.johnson@thepresidency.org.