Yes! GFA helps you get hired into a full-time, paid government position with a minimum two-year commitment, and your day-to-day work will be managed by your government supervisor. Your job title, compensation, and benefits are determined by your agency and will vary by state and agency.

The GFA Fellowship is a two-year leadership development program that supplements your government job with training, support, and a professional network of other government changemakers. Since GFA is not your employer, many of these activities occur outside of normal work hours.

GFA offers civil service, unclassified, and contract roles. The type of job depends on which pathway your role falls in. The four main pathways we place in are the Policy Pathway, Data Pathway, Health Policy Pathway, and Environmental Policy Pathway.

Our Partnerships team invests a lot of effort into selecting the agencies they partner with. They prioritize agencies that appreciate the perspectives of young talent, create a supportive work environment, and provide full-time salary and benefits for our Fellows. For more details on GFA’s Partnerships, please see our “GFA Explains” story highlight on our Instagram page @govforamerica.

Fellows are government employees and their salaries range from $45,000 to $75,000 annually. Benefits vary but typically include paid time off and insurance, plus any other benefits dependent on the agency. Salaries depend on a number of factors including but not limited to location, agency, cost of living, and your level of experience.

Our list of government partners grows every year! Fellows are placed all over the country in cities and states with a high need for entry-level talent. Locations are selected on an as-needed basis within national regions. Current placements include the Northeast, West, and Midwest in states such as Connecticut, Colorado, Maryland, and Michigan. You can also view a map with all current and past placements on our webpage. Once you are selected as a Finalist, we will share more information about the 2025 placement opportunities. 

Please note that the more open you are to working in multiple places, the more likely you are to be matched.

Our Fellowship program is structured around 9 Leadership Competencies. Over the course of the two-year program, we focus on trainings intended to provide you with the tools and resources for early career success particularly in public sector work. These training sessions occur quarterly in a virtual format, with 1-2 in-person events each year. For instance, we invite new Fellows to attend a 7-day in-person Summer Institute event each year to kickstart their Fellowship. For more details on our Fellowship curriculum, please visit our "GFA Explains" story on our Instagram page @govforamerica, where our Program Managers provide in-depth explanations of our programming.

Summer Institute is an intensive 7-day in-person training experience meant to provide incoming Fellows with an orientation to government service and develop skills and leadership competencies that the Fellowship builds on over the course of the two years. Summer Institute takes place at the start of the Fellowship program, usually before a Fellow begins their government role.

Some of GFA’s supports include quarterly skill-building sessions, one-on-one coaching, mentorship opportunities, optional classes, peer coaching, and more. We are constantly looking for ways to improve our programming and we consider our Fellows to be co-creators in this process. Fellows are encouraged to participate in the Fellow Advisory Board and committees for priority topics. We are excited to work with next-generation changemakers who want to give input and take charge of their experience.

Yes! You have some flexibility in negotiating a start date but are expected to begin your Fellowship and job in July. Most Fellows start their roles right after Summer Institute (late June or early July). Please answer all questions about your availability openly and honestly on your application and let us know if there are extenuating circumstances that could impact your start date. If your availability changes, please inform your GFA contact as soon as possible. Regardless of start date, you are committing to a minimum of two years in your agency (with the possibility of extension).

Fellows should expect to work in person unless otherwise outlined in their agency’s policies. Most state agencies have returned to in-person or hybrid operations. GFA requires Fellows to live in the state they are matched.

GFA does supply relocation assistance for Fellows on a case-by-case basis. You may also reach out to your host agency to check the procedures of your new workplace for relocation assistance. We can work with you to determine the need once you have accepted a Fellowship placement.

Not necessarily! The Fellowship and the job are separate, so while the Fellowship ends after two years, the job match can continue as long as you and the agency you work with are interested in extending your contract.

One of the core benefits and strengths of GFA is its active alumni network. GFA facilitates alumni engagement through: quarterly newsletters to stay updated on current cohorts and other alumni; opportunities to volunteer with GFA as program advisors, trainers, and mentors; and alumni-specific events.