Policy Fellows Program: Developing Minnesota's Leaders

Designed for emerging and mid-career professionals, the Policy Fellows program is one of the nation’s most esteemed public affairs leadership experiences. Over nine months, participants engage with public officials, receive leadership training, and collaborate with a diverse group of peers. Fellows have the opportunity to undertake impactful projects that benefit the wider community.

Rooted in Minnesota’s civic tradition, the Policy Fellows program embraces the values of bipartisanship, inclusivity, and the pursuit of common-good solutions to public challenges. Fellows are driven leaders who demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and a commitment to problem-solving in their work and communities.

Each year, 35 leaders from government, business, and nonprofit sectors statewide are selected through a competitive application process. Fellows from the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota come together monthly as a cohort and participate in a multi-day study trip to Washington, D.C.

An initiative of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance (the Center), the program is led by Professor Larry Jacobs, a nationally recognized expert in public affairs and political studies.