The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced that applications are now open for the 2026-2027 class of White House Fellows.
The President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, founded in 1964, offers the fellowships to select individuals who spend one year in Washington working as full-time paid government employees. Fellows typically aid cabinet secretaries, senior White House staff, and other top-ranking government officials.
“The White House Fellows Program represents the very best of public service in leadership development,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said in a press release. “We encourage talented Americans from across the country to apply and bring their skills, ideas, and commitment to serving the American people.”
OPM said the 2026-2027 program will begin in September 2026 and conclude in August 2027. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate education. Federal employees are not eligible to apply, except for active-duty military personnel.
Selection criteria include early-career professional achievement, leadership potential, a demonstrated commitment to public service, and the ability to work effectively at senior levels of the federal government as part of a team, OPM said.
Applications are due by April 22 at 5 p.m. EDT.
The application period opens the same week that OPM announced a new Early Career Talent Network, launched in partnership with the White House. The network aims to connect young talent with full-time career opportunities across the federal government.