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. 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. 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. We especially encourage applications from students belonging to groups historically underrepresented in this program and similar leadership development opportunities. 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 2025 through May 2026
Attend an all-expenses-paid conference in Washington, D.C. (March 21–25, 2026)
Complete a 10–15 page research paper on the presidency or Congress
At-Large
Fellows Program
Key Update for 2025-2026 Cohort
CSPC is excited to announce that for the 2025-2026 Fellowship year, all programming will center on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, which takes place on July 4, 2026. The primary change will be to the required research paper. While Fellows may still choose topics related to the presidency and/or Congress, they must incorporate the theme of the 250th Anniversary into their research.
This means that Fellows should frame their chosen topic within the broader historical narrative of the nation's growth, challenges, and evolution over the past 250 years. The introduction and conclusion of their paper should explicitly connect their topic to the significance of the anniversary.
For example, a Fellow writing about current immigration policy might begin by discussing America's foundation as a nation of immigrants and highlighting major milestones in immigration policy over the last two and a half centuries.
Learn More About the Program
The application for the 2025-2026 cohort will go live on Thursday, May 1, 2025
The application closes on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST
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
Resume upload
Unofficial transcript upload
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.
Eligibility Requirements:
1. Be an enrolled sophomore, junior, senior, or advanced degree student majoring in any field of study for the entirety of the 2025-2026 academic year at an accredited U.S. college or university. Students graduating in December 2025 are not eligible for participation in the At-Large Fellows program.
2. Must have a demonstrated interested 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:
Although we do not have specific criteria for the selection of At-Large Fellows beyond the stated eligibility requirements, the Advisory Board evaluates each application with the following weights:
25% - research paper topic
25% - long-form answers
25% - strength of resume
15% - recommendation
10% - fit with At-Large Fellowship Mission & Goals
We would also 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 - sydney.johnson@thepresidency.org.