Civil Service Defense and Innovation Fellowship Program

The Civil Service Defense and Innovation Fellowship Program is a flagship initiative of Civil Service Strong (CSS) at Democracy Forward. Designed in response to escalating threats to the professional, nonpartisan civil service, the fellowship activates former federal employees and political appointees as researchers, storytellers, and strategic organizers.

Each of the Civil Service Defense and Innovation Fellows will focus on a specific issue vertical, aligned with their expertise and agency experience.

Fellows will organize key actors to:

● Document what has happened to the civil service and tell the story of how it has impacted the American people

● Elevate the stories and expertise of federal civil servants

● Lay the foundation for the next phase of government reform by identifying the capacity needed to rebuild and modernize the government to deliver for the American people

In doing so, fellows will play a critical role in surfacing the evidence needed for reform and helping set the national agenda for rebuilding effective, democratic government.

Issue Verticals Include:

Agriculture and Food Safety 

Education

Labor and Workers

Energy and Environment

Government Management

Health Care and Public Health

Veterans

Science and Technology

Justice and Public Safety

Emergency Management and Disaster Response

Economic Development, Community Development, and Infrastructure 

National Security and International Affairs

Housing and Homelessness

Economic Security and Benefits 

Civil Rights

Tax Enforcement and Consumer Protection