The Leadership in Government Fellowship is a distinguished opportunity for senior-level former U.S. government leaders to consider their public service and influence the national conversation on democracy and social justice. The Open Society Foundations (OSF) supply it, and the Amalgamated Charitable Foundation (ACF) oversees its administration. From $115,000 to $160,000 over 12 to 18 months, its generous stipends allow change makers to have a greater impact outside of government offices.
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Purpose and Vision of Leadership in Government Fellowship
Fundamentally, the Leadership in Government Fellowship offered by Open Society Foundations accomplishes two related goals:
- Public Service Reflection: Fellows are encouraged to analyze and share the insights they have gained from their time in government to help others understand the potential and difficulties of policy.
- Fostering Democracy and Social Change: Through creative initiatives ranging from media campaigns and research studies to implementation toolkits and public education campaigns, each fellow seeks to advance social justice, policy equity, and democratic involvement across the United States.
- Fellows have access to peer learning opportunities, broader networks, and collaborative synergy with other leaders who share their commitment to open-society values since they are part of a dynamic cohort.
Who Can Apply for Leadership in Government Fellowship
Those who fulfil the following requirements are encouraged to apply for the Fellowship:
- Recent Senior Government Service: Candidates must have served at the municipal, county, tribal, state, federal, or territory levels in full-time, senior-level positions such as deputy mayor, commissioner, city manager, senior policy advisor, or similar.
- Service within the Last Two Years: Candidates must have left their government position no more than two years before the fellowship starts, or they must plan to finish their term right before the program starts.
- Dedication to Democratic Change: The best candidates are those from a variety of political backgrounds who hope to continue influencing policy through civic leadership or lobbying.
- Project Proposal Required: Applicants must share the results and target audiences of a clearly defined project that is in line with democratic renewal.
Notably, those in volunteer, consultancy, or contractor roles are not eligible; only individual, full-time public servants may apply.
Scope, Timeline & Deadline
Important Dates
- Application opens: June 12, 2025
- Deadline: July 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- Finalist interviews: Mid-to late September 2025 (virtual)
- Awards announced: Mid-October 2025
- Project begins: Early November 2025 (or as early as October 1).
Program Duration
Leadership in Government Fellowships by Open Society Foundation span 12 or 18 months, during which fellows devote 60%–80% of their professional time—equivalent to 24–32 hours per week—to their project.
Financial Overview of Leadership in Government Fellowship 2025
Each fellow receives an all-inclusive grant ranging from $115,000 to $160,000, proportional to their time commitment over the Leadership in Government fellowship’s duration. This stipend is designed to cover:
- Living expenses
- Project-related costs
- Health insurance
- Travel and conference fees
- Any other project execution needs
Note: The Fellowship does not fund degree programs, academic enrollment, or dissertation research. Fellows must secure ACF’s compliance approval, sign a grant agreement, and avoid paid employment or electoral campaigns during the fellowship.
Project Requirements & Process
Project Themes
Proposals must align with the Leadership in Government Fellowship’s mission to foster pro-democracy solutions addressing urgent issues like economic justice, racial equity, civic engagement, open governance, and policy innovation.
Eligible project formats include:
- Reports, white papers, books
- Analysis toolkits or implementation guides
- Media series, op-ed campaigns, public education initiatives
- Workshops, technical assistance programs
- Conference presentations or public engagements
Deliverables & Impact
Fellows should produce public-facing outputs with broad reach and measurable outcomes. They’ll also be encouraged to engage in media appearances and peer networking facilitated by ACF support.
Application Components
The application includes:
- Resume
- Eight detailed proposal responses covering reflection, project explainers, timeline, impact, networks, time commitment, transitions from government, and additional context.
The narrative is capped by word limits—for instance, 600 words on policy reflections and 800 on project specifics.
Those uncertain about eligibility or fit are encouraged to email ACF by July 9, 2025, with a concise 200-word pitch.
Past Fellows & Project Highlights
2024 Fellows
- Brett Rosenberg: Using narrative & humor to engage public audiences in foreign and national security policy.
- Emily Tulli: Strengthening immigrant workers’ ability to assert rights under labor law.
- Eric Shaw: Creating a “philanthropic partnership office” toolkit for local governments focused on housing, parks, food access, and entrepreneurship.
- Helen Gym: Enhancing narrative storytelling to elevate public education’s role in democracy.
- Jahi Wise: Accelerating public & private investment in climate and clean-tech across underserved communities.
- Tariq Habash: Developing guidelines to safeguard academic freedom and inclusivity in higher education.
Notable Alumni
- Michael Tubbs (2021): Advanced basic-income pilot programs with city mayors.
Other alumni include transformative public servants focusing on transit equity, caregiving policy, voter outreach, environmental justice, police equity, and more.
Why It Matters
- Amplifies Government Insights: By drawing on insider knowledge from public service, fellows help identify hidden policy barriers and propose scalable solutions.
- Builds a Democracy Network: Fellows benefit from sustained peer learning and connections across issue areas and jurisdictions.
- Supports Systemic Change: With resources and time, fellows can tackle deep-rooted inequities using public-facing, implementable outputs.
For those transitioning out of government roles and aiming to influence society from outside, this Fellowship offers both the platform and community for lasting impact.
Incorporating International Travel into Your Fellowship
You can—and, in many circumstances, should—incorporate overseas travel into your project, even though the Leadership in Government Fellowship is primarily focused on the United States. Here’s how:
- Knowledge Exchange: Make connections with civil society organizations and cities around the world to compare democratic mechanisms, such as community policing approaches in Latin America or municipal participatory budgeting in Europe.
- Learning Communities: Interact with global authorities on public health, digital governance, environmental justice, and other topics.
- Results Dissemination: Establish international credibility by presenting your completed project in conferences, workshops, or academic forums around the world.
According to ACF regulations, travel costs for these kinds of events—conferences, stakeholder meetings, and data collection—can be covered by your stipend. Adding a detailed travel itinerary strengthens your project’s worldwide relevance and comparative depth, increasing its impact and resonance.
How to Maximize Your Application
- Start Early: The portal opens on June 12, 2025. Use the window to draft responses and refine your project concept.
- Craft a Compelling Narrative: Emphasize what your service taught you and how it uniquely positions you to guide social progress.
- Outline Scope & Impact: Be specific—state goals, timelines, deliverables, and metrics.
- Expand Your Network: Identify support partners: nonprofits, academic institutions, civic leaders.
- Ask the Experts: If unsure, email a 200-word pitch to LIGfellowship@amalgamatedfoundation.org before July 9, 2025.
Final Thoughts
The Leadership in Government Fellowship is a rare bridge for ex‑public servants to pivot from governance to advocacy—using experience, insight, and resources to advance democracy, equity, and justice. With deep financial backing, a flexible project framework, and a supportive cohort, fellows can lead meaningful change far beyond their term in office. If you’re a senior government official departing your role with a vision for democratic renewal, this fellowship offers a fertile professional next step. Mark your calendar for June 12 and gear up to submit your best work by July 24, 2025.
