Fellowship Details

When is the Fellowship?

The Urban Leaders Fellowship runs in in-person for seven consecutive weeks in the summer, typically during the months of June through August.

Below are the projected region fellowship dates, targeted policy levels of focus, and applicant preferences below. Please note that while regions have a preference for local talent, it doesn’t mean that non-local talent cannot apply. We encourage all strong candidates to apply and state their connections, experience, and knowledge of the region in which they desire to be placed. Full complete programming and scheduling details will be made available through regional directors.

  • Atlanta

    Level of Policy: County Commission,
    Applicant preferences: *Preference for Atlanta local-based applicants
    Date: On pause for 2026

  • Dallas

    Level of Policy: Local School Board and City Council,
    Applicant Preferences: Local to Dallas, DFW areas
    Date: June 1st-July 18th

  • Denver

    Level of Policy: State Legislature
    Applicant Preferences: Local
    Date: Starts on June 22nd


  • Indianapolis

    Level of Policy: State Equity Office
    Applicant Preferences: Local applicants based in Indiana
    Date: On pause for 2026


  • Kansas City, MO

    Level of Policy: City Council
    Applicant Preferences: KCMO based, national applicants

    Date: On pause for 2026

  • Nashville

    Level of Policy: Local school board
    Applicant Preferences: Local based, national applicants
    Date: Starts June 22nd

  • New Orleans

    Level of Policy: Local/state school board
    Applicant Preferences: Local applicants
    Dates: June 8th-July 24th


  • Oakland

    Level of Policy: City Council
    Applicant Preferences: *Preference for Oakland based applicants
    Date: On pause for 2026

  • Tulsa

    Level of Policy: Mayor of Tulsa
    Applicant Preferences: Local talent
    Date: Starts June 15th

  • Washington D.C

    Level of Policy: DC City Council
    Applicant Preferences: *Preference for DMV area-based applicants
    Date: June 15th-July 31st

Kindly Note

ULF is a FULL-TIME fellowship and it is expected that fellows commit for the duration of the fellowship. However, we recognize that the summer can be a busy time for weddings and family events, and sometimes jobs and school don't follow the same calendar. We ask that you communicate any conflicts prior to accepting our offer and we'll work with you on a case by case basis to determine if those conflicts will still allow you to join the fellowship. For more guidance on preparing for the summer fellowship, please download this one-pager for review.

How does the Fellowship work?

Though no two days are the same for Fellows, these short videos offer a glimpse into what our fellowship is all about.

Who are the Fellows?

We look for applicants who are diverse, in every sense of the word. We bring together a cohort of fellows in each region who come from different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, gender identity and sexual orientation, and have wide-ranging experiences in the topics they've studied, the places they've lived, and the work that they've done. We believe that diversity matters and will bring about better solutions.

You don't need specific background in legislative policy to join our fellowship, just a passion to learn about policy and how it can impact the lives of those in your community.

While the program is designed to assemble a unique and diverse cohort of individuals, ULF fellows most successful in the fellowship share certain characteristics:

  • Motivated, self-starter who takes initiative with experience driving and sustaining both short and long-term projects

  • Seeks collaboration to problem-solve and navigate ambiguity including the ability to govern work independently and manage up to accomplish outcomes

  • Actively seek perspectives that are different than their own operating with in a mindset of humility

  • Professionals with at least 2 years of professional experience with excellent written and oral communication skills

  • Committed to personal reflection and professional development with a desire to transform the community through partnerships

  • Looking to accelerate their leadership through fellowship with a focus on policy and practice

  • Team player that can build relationships with a variety of stakeholders (i.e., cohort, elected official, partnering organization, community members, etc)

Applications are closed for the 2026 cohort.

Apply Today!

Below are the most frequently asked questions we hear from interested applicants

ULF staff will be holding live webinars throughout the application process to answer questions for individuals who have started their application and are in need of clarity on how to make their application stronger. Please visit our application guidance page for more information and to sign up for an upcoming webinar.

  • The Urban Leaders Fellowship is a full-time paid summer fellowship for professionals who are already leaders in their own right and are looking to accelerate their leadership through fellowship with a focus on policy and practice. Fellows are expected to be available full-time for seven consecutive weeks typically between the hours of 8 am-7 pm. Fellows work half-time on high-level policy projects with an elected official in the afternoons and half-time alongside partner organizations in cities in the mornings across the country. Applicants should consult their personal schedules, full-time work obligations, finances, conflicts, and commitments to determine if the ULF fellowship is the right fit at this time before applying. We ask any candidate with additional commitments totaling more than 10 hours a weeks not to apply at this time. Learn more about ULF here.

  • Yes. Fellows receive a minimum base stipend of $3,500 with opportunities for additional cost of living adjustments and individual need-based scholarships. If you are accepted to ULF, our staff will work with you to determine if you qualify for additional funds. Fellows are independent contractors and not full-time employees at their placement organizations. Successful contract completion does not guarantee full-time job placement after the fellowship. Please note that ULF is not responsible for securing housing, living expenses, job transitions, student loan payments, loss of wages or other personal circumstances of fellows coming to the fellowship. Fellows must secure their own housing and transportation prior to the start of the summer fellowship. All fellows should assess and evaluate their financial ability to participate in the fellowship prior to applying.

  • Yes, The ULF fellowship application asks for two references. The ULF fellowship application is comprised of an online application, uploading a resume, 300 word statement of interest, listing two references, and a critical thinking exercise.

  • The ULF fellowship requires that candidates meet ONE of the TWO criteria: 1) Have a minimum of 2 years or the equivalent of 2 years professional experience and a bachelors degree. 2). Have 5 years or the equivalent of 5 years of professional experience without a bachelor’s degree. Professional experience is defined as full-time working experience.

  • The ULF Fellowship prioritizes the safety and health of all stakeholders and partners across the country. The ULF Fellowship considers a variety of factors when determining the model (in-person or virtual) of the fellowship in the given year. These decisions are communicated prior to the start of the ULF fellowship.

  • The 2026 application opened on November 30, 2025, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will close on February 20, 2026. Please note that applicants preferencing Washington DC will complete an additional questionnaire before their final interviews. NOLA applicants should factor in completing their applications prior to February 15th (Mardi Gras). Due to a high volume of applications, we are unable to give feedback.

  • We work in ten cities: Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Kansas City, MO, Nashville, New Orleans, Oakland, Tulsa, and Washington, D.C.

  • Our fellowship runs for 7 weeks Monday-Friday, typically during the months of June and July. Please note that these dates are not finalized until early spring as we consult the elected/appointed officials and partnering organizations across our 10 regions to determine the fellowship dates. Please visit the fellowship dates page for additional information.

  • In each city, we partner with one or more elected or appointed official on the local and/or state levels. Here is more information on our partners.

  • United States citizens or international candidates that have a current and valid visa to the U.S. may apply to the program. (Please note that as of July 2022, ULF no longer accepts international candidates that do not possess a current and valid visa or citizenship to the U.S.)

  • Fellows have helped to conceive and design over 150 pieces of policy across the local and state levels of government. Learn more about policy here, and read about our prior policy work here.

  • Policy projects are determined by the elected/appointed officials of each region. Please note that the partnering organization projects may not necessarily align to the policy projects within each region. Partnering organization projects and policy projects are different.

  • ULF does not provide or guarantee full-time employment upon satisfactory completion of the program nor assist with visa, citizenship, sponsorship, or other long-term circumstances. Upon satisfactory completion of the fellowship (both the partner organization placement and the policy team placement), the ULF staff is willing to act as a reference for future employment or graduate school, at the discretion of the regional and national team.

Join a live webinar for application guidance.

Learn more