Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs' Garden State Fellowship (GSF) is conceived to simultaneously launch young practitioners into public policy careers and enhance capacity in New Jersey’s public interest sector to address critical systemic issues.

GSF is a post-graduate opportunity awarded to undergraduate seniors across majors through a competitive application process. Fellows will dedicate their fellowship year to research, advocacy, and other activities related to policy-making with their host organization. Concurrently, Fellows will participate in programming – skill-building workshops, topical conferences, and excursions statewide – to enhance their experience and build their capacities.

SPIA will select up to three fellows who will put their training to work at the frontier of policy making, building on their skills of social science research and effective writing while developing experience in policy advocacy, organizing, and implementation within a given policy domain. 

Applicants will indicate their preference among policy areas: housing, health, climate, education, criminal justice, immigration, economic justice, and the economy. Fellows will be selected by a competitive process. A committee of public servants, policy experts, change-makers, and scholars will review applications. Final employment decisions will be made by the nonprofit or agency.

Beyond their posted position, fellows will participate in extracurricular convenings and workshops.

Eligibility

• Graduating senior - all majors welcome
• Demonstrated interest in domestic public service and public policy
• Authorized to work in the US for the duration of the fellowship year 

Application Timeline

The 2025-26 Garden State Fellowship application opens January 2025.

Compensation

Fellows will earn an annual salary of $55,000 and receive a generous benefits package. SPIA will cover the cost of the fellows’ salaries plus $10,000 to compensate organizations for their brick-and-mortar expenses, IT, as well as staff supervision and professional development.

How to Apply

The 2025-26 Garden State Fellowship application opens January 2025. 

Applicants who identify as members of historically marginalized groups which include but are not limited to African American, Latinx, AAPI; women; people with disabilities; and gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender persons are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Admin: Cara Carpenito, Program Manager, Scholars in the Nation's Service Initiative (SINSI)