John Gardner Public Service Fellowship 2026-27
The John Gardner Public Service Fellowship provides opportunities for graduating seniors and coterms to invest their talent, energy and training in public service. Six fellows, three from Stanford and three from UC Berkeley, are selected each spring. Fellows work full-time for ten months with a government or nonprofit agency of their choice in the continental United States.
Placements are made through a facilitated process during spring quarter. Each fellow is matched with a placement organization and a mentor there who is a distinguished leader in the fellow's field. The mentor agrees to guide the fellow's professional growth and development and to provide opportunities and exposure that exceed what is normally available to a recent graduate.
Each fellow is provided with a $52,000 award. Placements begin no later than October 1 after graduation. The fellowship also provides, when needed, health insurance reimbursement; often, this is covered by the placement organization. The Gardner Fellowship cannot be combined with other awards or employment or be used to start an organization.
To be eligible for a Gardner Fellowship, you must be a current graduating senior or co-term at Stanford University or University of California, Berkeley. Applicants are encouraged from any academic major and public service background.
Application materials:
Through SOLO, applicants should submit an application (including uploaded PDFs of their resume and unofficial transcript). Applicants must also solicit two letters of recommendation: one must be from a faculty member who is familiar with their college level work and the second should be from a professional reference.
Evaluation criteria:
Applicants are selected based on the following criteria:
- Commitment to public service;
- Demonstrated leadership incorporating the Principles of Ethical and Effective Public Service;
- Readiness for fellowship experience;
- Record of academic accomplishment;
- Quality and content of written statements.
The selection committee reviews applications and develops a list of finalists to be interviewed. Awards are offered on the basis of interviews. Awardees must commit by Monday, March 3, 2025. Fellowships will begin between September 1 and October 1. Placements must be located within the continental United States.
Post-selection fellowship requirements:
Placements and mentors are determined through a deliberative spring quarter process. Gardner Fellows must agree to fulfill the following requirements before, during, and after their Gardner placement:
- Interview with prospective mentors prior to or shortly after graduation;
- Complete a workshop in Principles of Ethical and Effective Public Service;
- Serve full time for 10 consecutive months at the placement. Start date should be in fall 2026, to be determined by the fellow and mentor. The fellow can be given time off in accordance with the organization’s regular personnel policies.
- Design a personal learning plan in conjunction with the placement mentor;
- Attend Gardner Welcome Reception (April) and Cardinal Careers New Fellows Orientation (late May);
- Participate in a mid-year meeting and an end-of-fellowship evaluation meeting with fellowship cohort;
- Write and submit a year-end report and stewardship letters;
- Assist the program in future years by nominating applicants, identifying potential mentors, and by participating in information and training sessions.
