Public policy fellowship Philadelphia options fall into city-run, university and Pennsylvania-wide programs. For early-career applicants, the City’s Public Service Fellowship is the best fit: entry-level positions, with applications opening in spring.
These programs sit within the wider field of postgraduate fellowships philadelphia. This page covers only government and policy host sites. It separates fellowships run by municipal government from those hosted by university policy centers and statewide leadership programs.
How to choose a policy fellowship
The facts do not justify a strict ranking, so the options below are ordered by who they suit, starting with the most accessible entry point for new graduates. Four criteria separate them.
- Career stage: The City’s fellowship positions are entry-level, while the Pennsylvania Education Policy Fellowship is built around people who already hold full-time jobs.
- Host type: City departments host the Public Service Fellows. A university policy lab hosts researchers. An education leadership center runs the statewide program.
- Timing: The City’s cycle begins in spring. Temple’s fellows are named for an academic year.
- Pay and commitment: George Washington University’s fellowship directory notes that fellowships can range from full-time, paid positions to leadership programs. Confirm salary or stipend terms on each program’s own page before you apply.
City-run fellowships
Philadelphia Public Service Fellowship
The City of Philadelphia does run a fellowship program. Its Public Service Fellows application page (the Portuguese-language version) says the positions are entry-level, with room for growth. It suits recent graduates and career changers who want to learn municipal government from inside a city department.
The process has clear steps. Applicants register interest online when the cycle opens in spring, then submit a resume and a personal statement. A first-round interview is followed by second-round interviews with the host city departments. Prepare the personal statement early, because it is the one piece you cannot assemble in a day.
Mayor’s Office and municipal fellowship routes
A city fellowship pilot launched in January 2018 under the City as Model Employer initiative, spearheaded by Mayor James F. Kenney. It aimed to match jobseekers with positions in municipal government. That history explains why a municipal fellowship in Philadelphia is tied to the mayor’s agenda on city hiring.
Directories also group mayor’s-office fellowships with other local government programs. The George Washington University list, for example, places the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office Fellowship Program under State, Local, and County Government. For Philadelphia, check the City’s current program page for the host departments before assuming a placement in the Mayor’s Office.
University and statewide policy fellowships
Temple Public Policy Lab research fellowships
Temple’s Public Policy Lab describes itself as an intellectual home for researchers who study public policies and the social processes behind them. It announced 12 research fellows for 2025-2026 on Aug. 14, 2025, after soliciting applicants across the College of Liberal Arts for three different research fellowships.
This route suits people who want to do policy analysis as research rather than administration. Fellows join a series of lab workshops and present their work publicly. They also receive support in disseminating findings to local, state and national stakeholders, including lawmakers. Because the call went out across the college, check whether applicants from outside Temple are eligible.
Pennsylvania Education Policy Fellowship
This is a nine-month professional development program for education, policy, community and advocacy leaders. It has been available since 1999 through The Education Policy and Leadership Center (EPLC). Participants usually hold full-time positions in local, state or national organizations.
It suits mid-career staff who want to understand how education policy is made while keeping their jobs. It is a poor match for someone seeking a first full-time role, because it adds learning to an existing position rather than providing one.
Comparing the city and university routes
| Criterion | City Public Service Fellowship | Temple Public Policy Lab fellowships | Planning use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Host | City of Philadelphia host departments | University policy lab | Choose by whether you want administration or research. |
| Level | Entry-level positions with room for growth | Research fellowships for the 2025-2026 academic year | New graduates start with the city route. |
| Timing | Application cycle begins in spring | 12 fellows announced Aug. 14, 2025 | Plan the city application for spring. |
| Application | Online form, resume, personal statement, two interview rounds | Applicants solicited across the College of Liberal Arts for three fellowships | Draft a personal statement before the city cycle opens. |
| Work | Placement in a city department | Workshops, public presentations, support reaching lawmakers | Pick research if you want to present findings. |
Figures come from the City of Philadelphia’s Public Service Fellows page and Temple’s Public Policy Lab announcement.
Skills policy fellows need
The programs reward communication as much as analysis. The City asks for a resume and a personal statement, so clear writing is the first screen. Temple’s fellows present publicly and are supported in reaching lawmakers, which means translating research for non-specialists.
- Policy analysis: Temple’s lab frames its work as studying public policies and their consequences, so comfort with evidence and research methods matters for that route.
- Public presentation: Workshops and public talks are part of the Temple fellowship.
- Stakeholder communication: Dissemination to lawmakers, media and the public is built into the research route.
- Interviewing for a department: City applicants face second-round interviews with host departments, so be ready to explain why a given department’s work interests you.
Government fellowships and nonprofit policy roles
Government fellowships place you in a public agency, while nonprofit and policy-organization roles sit in a separate category. George Washington University’s directory organizes fellowships by sector: Federal Government, State, Local and County Government, Policy/Nonprofit, International, Health, and Research/University. In Philadelphia, a city fellowship puts you inside a municipal department, and a policy lab places you in research.
The practical differences show in structure. City positions are entry-level jobs with interviews run by host departments. Leadership programs like the Education Policy Fellowship are designed for people already employed elsewhere. Match the route to whether you need a first job, a research platform or professional development.
Policy interests often overlap with other fields. If classrooms are your focus, see our guide to a teaching fellowship philadelphia. If health systems are your focus, see the guide to a public health fellowship philadelphia.
Frequently asked questions
Does the City of Philadelphia offer paid fellowship placements?
The City runs the Public Service Fellows program with entry-level positions. Pay terms are set by the program, so confirm them on the City’s application page.
Can a recent graduate join the Pennsylvania Education Policy Fellowship?
It is aimed at people who usually already hold full-time positions, so it fits working professionals better than new graduates. Details are on the program announcement.
What should I prepare before the City cycle opens?
Have a current resume and a drafted personal statement ready. Then watch for the spring opening and use the online interest form.
Is a Mayor’s Office fellowship a separate application?
The City’s Public Service Fellows page describes placement with host city departments. Check that page for the current list of hosts rather than assuming a separate Mayor’s Office application exists.
