Wilson Center Announces Fall Session of Congressional Fellowship Program

WASHINGTON - The Wilson Center announced applications are open for the Fall 2026 session of the Wilson Center Congressional Fellowship Program, a six-week, nonpartisan program that equips Congressional staff with the policy knowledge and practical tools to navigate today’s evolving foreign policy landscape.

“The Wilson Center re-launched our highly successful Congressional Fellowship Program in Spring 2026. From March through May, the Wilson Center hosted a fully bipartisan cohort of 29 Fellows ranging from Member offices and committees as well as appropriators and authorizers. It was a significant step in continuing our mission to serve as a trusted, fiercely nonpartisan bridge between scholarship and public policy,” said Natasha Jacome, President and CEO of the Wilson Center. “Through this program, the Wilson Center creates an incredible opportunity for Congressional staff to interact with their peers as well as some of our country’s leading foreign policy experts to better inform their work.”

The Wilson Center Congressional Fellowship Program is committed to the support of Congressional staff through nonpartisan policy education. Under the Congressional Fellowship Program, mid- to senior-level Congressional staff come together for a series of in-person sessions designed to strengthen analysis, bipartisan dialogue, and informed decision-making on key geopolitical issues. Fellows work closely with leading foreign policy thinkers and practitioners, examining policy solutions with colleagues across the aisle.

Fellows who complete five out of six sessions earn a Certificate of Completion from the Wilson Center and join the Center’s prestigious Alumni Network. Alumni are invited to attend exclusive Wilson Center opportunities, including private briefings, study trips, and high-level roundtables, and gain access to its network of scholars, policymakers, and executives.

The Wilson Center Congressional Fellowship Program is exclusively for current Congressional staff, with an equal number drawn from Democratic and Republican offices. Applicants should demonstrate a strong understanding of the legislative process and aspire to a career shaping U.S. foreign policy.

Applications for Fall 2026: August 1 – September 6, 2026

Fall 2026 Session Dates: September 18, September 25, October 2, October 16, October 23, October 30

For more information on the competition eligibility, application, conditions, and selection process, please visit: Congressional Fellowship Program | Wilson Center