Fellowship

Bryce Harlow Fellowship

Since 1985, the Foundation has awarded fellowships to highly motivated students pursuing a career in professional advocacy through government relations and lobbying. The Foundation considers its Bryce Harlow Fellows to be the future of professional advocacy—those committed to practicing the art and science of lobbying with the highest level of integrity.

Is the Bryce Harlow Fellowship Right for You?

You are a Bryce Harlow Fellowship candidate if you:

• Seek a challenging career advocating policy positions to government officials on behalf of a client, corporation, trade association, or interest group to influence legislation or regulation.
• Understand that sound, truthful, and sometimes technical arguments play a vital role in the development of good public policy.
• Enjoy monitoring and interpreting policy developments within the executive and legislative branches of government that may be of future interest to your company or organization.
• Believe that professionalism, subject matter expertise, integrity, and compliance with the law are the fundamental tenets of a successful career in lobbying.

Fellowships are awarded to individuals who work full-time and undertake graduate-level studies on a part-time basis. Graduate programs may include, but are not limited to, public policy, law, and business. The $9,000 award will help defray tuition costs and will be paid directly to the university in two installments.

In addition to the monetary award, fellows also have a unique opportunity to participate in the Bryce Harlow Foundation Mentoring Program, which pairs a fellow with one of the Foundation’s board members. Board members are highly visible in the Washington public policy arena and are successful business-government relations professionals. Past mentors have included senior executives at Target, Google, the National Restaurant Association, and Holland & Knight LLP. Mentors offer diverse expertise and provide invaluable professional development and career-specific networking opportunities in the business-government relations field.

Bryce Harlow 2023-24 Fellows

Students selected as Bryce Harlow Fellows are encouraged to re-apply for the award during consecutive years in which they are eligible. The process begins early each year with the availability of online application materials and ends in August with the announcement of the new class of fellows.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Bryce Harlow Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be accepted for admission to a graduate degree program at an accepted university. Students attending a different university who meet all other criteria may contact the Foundation by email for consideration.
• Plan to be enrolled in part-time graduate studies for credit at the participating university for the next academic year.
• Be employed full-time throughout the Fellowship year. Temporary work, part-time work, and internships do not qualify.
• Demonstrate strong interest in and ability for a career in government advocacy and lobbying.
• Grant the Foundation permission to publish their names, photos, and employers.
• Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Students who have been accepted to an accredited graduate program but have not yet started their first year may also apply. They must include a letter of acceptance to graduate school in place of their graduate transcripts.

Application Deadline

We are now accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year. The deadline for applying is May 4, 2025.

Selection Process

The Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship Committee will review all applications received by the deadline. Finalists will be interviewed, and final fellowship decisions will be made for the new class of Bryce Harlow Fellows.

Selection Criteria

Strong applicants will demonstrate:

• Strong and sincere interest in a career in government advocacy and lobbying.
• Professional achievement and leadership potential.
• Academic achievement and potential.
• Knowledge of the advocacy process and Bryce Harlow himself.
• Financial need.

Notification

Applicants whose files have been received by the deadline will be notified of the Foundation’s decision by early August. The first installment of funds will be paid directly to the university in mid-August. The second installment of funds will be paid in December/January.

Learn more here