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 is now closed.

Compensation

Fellows will earn an annual salary of $55,000 and receive a generous benefits package. 

How to Apply

The 2025-26 Garden State Fellowship applicationis now closed.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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

Princeton University is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination. To maximize excellence, we seek talent from all segments of American society and the world, and we take steps to ensure everyone at Princeton can thrive while they are here. That is the sole rationale and purpose of our diversity and inclusion programs, all of which are voluntary and open to all, and which comply with federal and state non-discrimination laws. Princeton does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic, and Princeton does not provide special benefits or preferential treatment on the basis of a protected characteristic.