OPM Opens Applications for White House Fellows Program
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships is now accepting applications for the 2026-27 class of White House Fellows.
Founded in 1964, the President's Commission on White House Fellowships is the nation's premier program for leadership and public service. The White House Fellowship offers exceptional Americans first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal Government. Selected individuals spend one year in Washington, DC, working as full-time, paid government employees aiding cabinet secretaries, senior White House staff, and other top-ranking government officials.
The program has fostered a remarkable legacy of leadership. Of the 894 alumni in the last six decades, scores have gone on to top positions in the military, business, education, media, and philanthropy. Current public officials who are alumni include Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine; Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Mr. Emil Michael; Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Dr. Heidi Overton; Senator Bill Hagerty of Tennessee; and Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska, among others.
The 2026-27 White House Fellowship program year will begin in September 2026 and conclude in August 2027. All applicants must be United States citizens and have completed their undergraduate education. Federal employees are not eligible to apply, with the exception of active-duty military personnel.
“The White House Fellows Program represents the very best of public service in leadership development,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said. “We encourage talented Americans from across the country to apply and bring their skills, ideas, and commitment to serving the American people.”
"This program has a distinguished legacy that reaches back more than six decades,” Executive Director of the President's Commission on White House Fellows Mary Sprowls said. “We hope Americans with a passion for leadership and public service will consider applying – or urge others to consider applying.”
Selection criteria include:
- A record of remarkable early-career professional achievement.
- Evidence of leadership skills and the potential for further growth.
- A demonstrated commitment to public service.
- The skills to succeed at the highest levels of the federal government and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Application instructions:
- To apply for the 2026-27 class of White House Fellows, interested candidates should submit Part 1 and Part 2 of the White House Fellowship application to WhiteHouseFellows@who.eop.gov.
- In addition to Part 1 and 2 (which are submitted by the applicant), at least three recommenders will need to submit letters of recommendation on the applicant’s behalf. The letters of recommendation comprise Part 3 of the application.
- Applicants must download the documents and submit the completed materials as PDFs.
- Application instructions for Part 1 can be reviewed here.
- Application instructions for Part 2 can be reviewed here.
- Application instructions for Part 3 can be reviewed here.
- Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 5 pm EDT.
- Any application materials received after that deadline will not be accepted.
For more information, including details about the fellowship, its history, or the selection process, please visit: https://whff.org/.
Please contact WhiteHouseFellows@who.eop.gov with questions.
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