Amid ongoing federal layoffs, new fellowships offer opportunities for affected employees

Harvard University is the latest institution to offer a fellowship for federal employees who have been impacted by the Trump administration’s government workforce cuts. 

The university’s Kennedy School of Government recently announced a new fellowship that will provide full scholarships for at least 50 public servants and veterans to enroll in a one-year master’s degree program starting fall 2026. 

“In this moment of political division and major challenges in America, it’s never been more important to invest in the next generation of public servants,” said Jeremy Weinstein, dean of Harvard Kennedy School, in a statement. “That’s what this fellowship is all about: helping train the current and future leaders of America, who have demonstrated throughout their lives that they are ready and willing to lead their communities and our country into the future.” 

Individuals with at least seven years of experience in the following areas can apply for the American Service Fellowship: 

• federal, state or local government, including teachers and law enforcement. 
• U.S. armed forces, including veterans or active-duty military. 
• Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other full-time civilian service programs. 

No-fee applications will open in September, and fellows will be selected in spring 2026. Harvard said that the spots would be split evenly between those with public service and military backgrounds. 

The Kennedy School has previously offered career development resources and coaching to alumni affected by the federal layoffs. 

Georgetown University also recently launched a fellowship program for former federal employees who are in tech specialties. Georgetown and George Washington University are both providing discounts on master’s degree programs for recently separated government workers. 

Democracy Forward, a legal and public policy nonprofit that has spearheaded several lawsuits against the Trump administration, this month also launched a fellowship for former federal employees and political appointees. The Civil Service Defense and Innovation Fellowship Program will support research and analysis into the extent and ramifications of Trump’s cuts to agency workforces and chart a path to restore government capabilities. 

“Amid a growing threat to the integrity and capacity of our federal government, this fellowship program will help ensure that those who’ve spent their careers serving the public are heard,” said Rob Shriver, managing director of Democracy Forward’s Civil Service Strong initiative and former acting Office of Personnel Management director under President Joe Biden, in a statement. “Through this fellowship, experienced public servants will help us tell the real story of what happens when government is dismantled, and the urgency of rebuilding it so it can deliver for the American people.”

The fellowship, which is remote and runs for a year starting in September 2025, provides a $100,000 stipend for selected individuals to examine how agency workforce reductions under Trump are impacting specific policy areas. Fellows will be selected based on their expertise and experience in issues like energy and environment, health care and public health as well as national security and international affairs. 

The deadline to apply is Friday. 

Several organizations have put out resources for federal employees to find new jobs and learn new skills.