Bryce Harlow Fellowship Program

Application Deadline: May 3, 2026

Since 1985, the Bryce Harlow Foundation has awarded fellowships to highly motivated students in pursuit of 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 who are committed to practicing the art and science of lobbying with the highest level of integrity.

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, an offering that pairs a fellow with one of the Foundation’s board members.

Students selected as Bryce Harlow Fellows are encouraged to re-apply for the award during consecutive years in which they are eligible. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Students must be accepted for admission to a graduate degree program at GW.
• Students must plan to be enrolled in part-time graduate studies for credit at GW for the next academic year.
• Students who are accepted to an accredited graduate program but have not yet started their first year are also allowed to apply for the fellowship. (Please include a letter of acceptance to graduate school in place of your graduate transcripts.)
• Students must be employed full-time throughout the Fellowship year. Temporary work, part-time work, and internships do not qualify.
• Applicants must demonstrate strong interest in and ability for a career in government advocacy and lobbying.
• Applicants must grant the Foundation permission to publish their names, photos and employers.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

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

Application Requirements

1. Application form: Please gather the necessary information to efficiently fill in this form in one sitting.
2. Written statements: This is the heart of the fellowship application.  Thoughtfully compose your essays in Microsoft Word and when you are ready to apply, simply cut and paste your statements into the application.  Be mindful of the maximum word usage.
3. Letters of recommendation: Please scan and upload two letters from people who know you and your work well.
4. Resume: Upload your one-page resume. You must be able to demonstrate full time employment.
5. Undergraduate and graduate transcripts: Scan and upload your complete undergraduate transcript and your most current graduate transcript.  If you have not yet started your graduate study, please upload a letter (or other evidence) of your acceptance to graduate school for this fall.  If you attended multiple undergraduate universities, please submit them all, although you will need to combine the multiple transcripts into one file before uploading.  You do not need to copy the back side of the transcript or the page explaining the university’s grading system.

Selection Process & Notification

The Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship Committee will review and select finalists from all of the applications received by the deadline. The committee will then interview the finalists, and make final fellowship decisions for the class of Bryce Harlow Fellows.

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.

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