The Capitol Hill Fellows Program is a year-long program that places Teach For America alumni in full-time, paid congressional staff positions on Capitol Hill. Fellows gain incredible insights into the legislative process and experience in policy and politics at the national level.
About the Capitol Hill Fellows Program
Fellows are paired with a member of the House or Senate or a congressional committee and spend a year working on congressional issues in Washington, D.C.
Fellows represent many states and political parties and reflect the diversity of TFA's alumni. They do not lobby on behalf of or work on issues related to Teach For America during the fellowship.
Meet the 2021 fellows
The fellowship provides:
Legislative Experience
Gain incredible insights into the legislative process, engage in national affairs, and contribute important perspectives to policy debates in Washington, D.C.
Professional Development
Attend monthly professional development sessions to help Fellows succeed on the Hill and grow as leaders. Sessions cover an array of topics, such as practical skills for working on the Hill, public policy issues (e.g., the federal budget, student loan policy), and career advice. Topics are tailored to the needs and interests of each cohort of fellows.
Mentorship
Be matched with a Teach For America alumni mentor on Capitol Hill.
Networking Opportunities
Build relationships with members of Congress, congressional staff, their cohort, and other policy professionals in Washington, D.C.
Stipend
Receive a $67,000 stipend, paid over 12 months.
“I arrived on the Hill intellectually curious, but timid and unaware of the power in my own opinions. I am leaving this experience with a thorough understanding of the levers of power and with the confidence to be able to advocate effectively for students.”
Eligibility & Requirements
Ideal candidates will show an interest in government and policy and a desire to create a more equitable society. Outstanding applicants may gain admission without substantial policy experience.
While the profiles of individual fellows vary, applicants will be evaluated based on:
- Professional work experience
- Demonstrated interest and focus on a career in politics or policy
- Research, writing, analysis, and communication skills
- Experience successfully working independently and with teams
- Track record of increasing responsibility and success
Application Process
1. Initial Application
The initial application will open via a link on this website on Friday, November 19, 2021 @ 12 noon EST, and will close on Monday, January 10, 2022 @ 12 noon EST.
2. Second Round
Applicants who move forward from Round One will complete Round Two activities from January 28, 2021 to February 7, 2022.
3. Third/Final Round
Applicants who move forward from Round Two will be interviewed by former Hill Fellows and members of the TFA Hill Fellow Program team. Selected applicants will be invited to join the 2022 Hill Fellow Cohort in the second half of March, and each invited applicant must accept or decline the invitation by the end of March. No extensions are possible, and all applicants are advised that if you are accepted as a 2022 Hill Fellow, we cannot offer deferrals to future years.
4. Final Interview with Congressional Offices
In April/May 2022, Fellows will conduct interviews with offices on Capitol Hill to determine office placements. These interviews may be in-person or virtual. Office placement interviews will be assigned based on how the applicant's beliefs, skills, and interests align with the needs of potential placement offices on Capitol Hill. The office placement for each Fellow will be determined no later than early June 2022.
Each Fellow will begin work on Capitol Hill in late summer 2022 and work for one year. The precise start date will be determined by each Fellow and Hill placement office.
Application process may be subject to change.
2021 Capitol Hill Fellows
The 2021 fellows represent an outstanding group of alums who reflect the diversity of the TFA alumni network. Meet the 2021 fellows.
Projects & Placement Offices
The program consists of three major components:
1. Research
Preparing background reports, organizing hearings, arranging for expert consultation and testimony.
2. Legislation
Supporting the legislative process by conducting legislative research, drafting language for bills, tracking legislation, and serving as policy liaisons between Congress and federal agencies.
3. Congressional Projects
Responding to constituent questions, meeting with constituents, and handling projects for the Member’s home state or district.
Examples of Past Fellow Projects
- Writing a bill on improving teacher and principal leadership and retention
- Working on issues outside of education policy, such as juvenile justice and assisting a working group on child poverty
- Conducting research on the effectiveness of how the federal government spends money to support schools through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
- Identifying opportunities to spur musical education
- Assist coordination of COVID relief funding to schools and communities in member’s home state/district
We try to secure placements with congressional offices that have capacity to host a fellow, and offices fellow candidates have identified throughout the application process that align with where they are from or their areas of interest. Fellows should not expect that their placement office will hire them permanently upon completion of the fellows program.
In the past, Hill Fellows have served in the following offices:
- Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Chairman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
- Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA)
- Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO)
- Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
- Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)
- Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC)
- Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)
- Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)
- Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN)
- Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA)
- Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
- Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
- Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
- Rep. Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH)
- Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)
- Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA)
- Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
- Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Chairman, House Democratic Caucus
- Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA)
- Rep. John Kline (R-MN), Chairman, House Education and the Workforce Committee
- Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
- Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
- Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
- Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-IA)
- Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA)
- Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
- Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair, Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
- Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA)
- Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL)
- Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (R-TN)
- Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
- Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
- Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE)
- Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI)
- Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Chair, House Education and the Workforce Committee
- Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC)
- Rep. GT Thompson (R-PA)
- Rep. Niki Tsongas (D-MA)
- Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
- Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY)
- Tina Smith (D-MN)
- Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
Contact
Contact CapitolHillFellows@teachforamerica.org with any questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While ideal candidates will have 2-3 years of work experience outside of being a TFA corps member and have demonstrated an interest in politics and policy, outstanding applicants may gain admission without substantial policy experience. Alumni from all political affiliations and backgrounds, including independents, are encouraged to apply.
Prior work experience in a government agency or government-related work is helpful, but not required.
Ideally, opportunities that enable you to strengthen and build on the following skills are recommended:
- Research
- Leadership Policy Analysis
- Understanding of American politics and Congress
- Oral and written communication
We also recommend candidates have:
- An ability to articulate their own ideas on current public policy issues
- Knowledge of current events
- A compelling set of personal and professional goals
Candidates must be able to clearly articulate how their participation in the Capitol Hill Fellows Program will help them advance towards their goals.
Your resume provides us with more details about your professional experience. Please include your relevant public policy and/or other professional experience and make an effort to keep your resume as concise and relevant to the Capitol Hill Fellows Program as possible. Resume length is limited to a maximum of one page.
Candidates are evaluated and selected based on the following criteria:
- Professional work experience
- Demonstrated interest and focus on a career in politics or policy
- Experience using research, writing, analysis, and communication skills
- Experience successfully working independently and with teams
- Track record of increasing responsibility and success
Fellows have successful track records, either as educators or in some other field. Many TFA alums become Fellows after substantial accomplishments at their placement school.
Candidates that advance to the last interview round participate in a series of interviews with congressional offices to determine placement.
The Capitol Hill Fellows Program works to secure interviews with congressional offices that candidates have identified throughout the application process and that are in alignment with their areas of interest.
Teach For America does not provide housing, health insurance, or other employee benefits for Fellows. Housing in Washington, D.C. and other benefits are the responsibility of the Fellow. Fellows are eligible to purchase health insurance through the D.C. Health Insurance Exchange that was created by the Affordable Care Act. Details about the health plans available can be accessed on the D.C. Heath Benefit Exchange Authority website. Fellows may also purchase insurance in the private health insurance marketplace.
This varies among placement offices. Most Fellows do work on educational issues. However, many Fellows have the opportunity to work on projects that align with their areas of interest outside of education, as well as the agenda of their placement offices.
Two-Year Commitment. Lifelong Impact.
Apply today to be part of the 2022 Teach For America corps.