Civil Service Defense and Innovation Fellowship: Frequently Asked Questions

Thank you for your incredible interest in the Civil Service Defense and Innovation Fellowship. This program is dedicated to defending, restoring, and reimagining a non-partisan, effective civil service. We are inspired by the caliber of professionals who have expressed interest in joining this mission.

We have compiled answers to the most common questions we've received to provide clarity as you prepare your application.

Submit your application here: The Civil Service Strong Defense and Innovation Fellowship

I. The Fellowship's Vision & Goals

Q: What is the core focus of the fellowship: restoration or reimagination?
A: The fellowship is designed to address both. We must first defend and restore the foundational elements of our civil service. We need to document the impact of the massive cuts to the federal workforce on communities around the country. At the same time, we must innovate and reimagine how government can better serve the American people in the 21st century. Fellows will work on both—capturing the harms that massive workforce cuts are causing while working with networks and coalitions to design forward-looking proposals for a more modern, effective, and responsive government.

Q: Is the focus on workforce reform, policy, or implementation?
A: The fellowship encompasses all three. Effective and lasting change requires a holistic approach. We expect fellows to explore the intersections of workforce capacity, policy design, and practical implementation. Your work might focus on one area more than others, but the strongest proposals will understand and address workforce capacity and these interconnected domains.

Q: What kind of deliverables are expected from fellows?
A: Fellows will produce a variety of practical, action-oriented materials. The emphasis is on creating usable resources. Outputs may include policy papers, implementation playbooks, strategic recommendations for government leaders, and frameworks for workforce reform. We will work with fellows to provide guidance and templates to shape these deliverables.

Q: How will the fellowship's outputs be used or operationalized?
A: Outputs are designed for immediate and future impact. They will be used to inform policymakers, equip advocacy organizations (including our staff at Democracy Forward), and provide actionable roadmaps for future leaders to implement upon entering government service. The goal is to ensure this work is not just theoretical but serves as a sustainable foundation for action.

Q: Are you looking for ideas that engage the public and legislators?
A: Yes, a large part of this role will be to build and support a coalition. While the core focus is on the internal structures and policies of government, we recognize that public and legislative engagement is critical for rebuilding trust and enacting change. We welcome proposals that thoughtfully incorporate strategies for building external support and coalitions and educating legislators.

II. Eligibility & The Ideal Candidate

Q: Who is the ideal candidate for this fellowship? What level and type of experience are you looking for?
A: We are seeking experienced leaders with a proven track record of impact. The ideal fellow typically has 10+ years of professional experience and is a recognized "doer" and thought leader in their field. We have seen strong interest from former Senior Executive Service (SES) members, political appointees, and established leaders with significant policy, implementation, or convening experience. We value both breadth of government knowledge and deep subject-matter expertise across sectors within a specific vertical.

Q: Are you also looking for early-career talent?
A: While this fellowship is designed for seasoned professionals, we encourage individuals with exceptional potential to apply. We are always looking for talent to support our mission. We may flag promising applications for future roles or other opportunities within our coalition efforts.

Q: I am a current federal employee, recently retired, or on administrative leave. Am I eligible?
A: Yes. Current federal employees, recent retirees, and individuals on administrative leave are all encouraged to apply.

Current Federal Employees: Please note that you cannot hold a full-time federal position concurrently with the fellowship.

Administrative Leave: If selected while on administrative leave, you are responsible for seeking and complying with all necessary approvals and ethics guidance from your agency.

III. Logistics & Time Commitment

Q: What is the time commitment for the fellowship? Is it a full-time position?
A: The fellowship is not a full-time position. It is a contract role and it will require a significant and consistent time commitment. We expect fellows to be deeply engaged in their vertical, lead research and convenings, and produce high-quality deliverables. The flexible structure is designed to accommodate seasoned professionals, but applicants should plan for a substantial workload.

Q: Is the fellowship remote, or will I be expected in the office?
A: The fellowship is fully remote. On occasion, we may organize optional in-person meetings at the Democracy Forward office in Washington, D.C. For fellows who are local, requests to use DF office space for stakeholder meetings may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability.

Q: Is the start date of September 29th flexible?
A: All fellows will begin as a cohort on September 29, 2025, to foster collaboration from the start. However, an exemption on the start date may be made for an exceptional candidate under unique circumstances.

Q: Do you offer part-time fellowships or accept joint submissions?
A: At this time, we are not considering part-time arrangements or joint submissions. 

IV. Fellowship Structure & Collaboration

Q: How many fellows will be selected?
A: The final number will depend on the strength of the applicant pool. 

Q: How are the issue "verticals" used in the selection process?
A: We aim to select at least one fellow to lead the work within each key vertical.

My agency/vertical isn't listed: The list provided is not exhaustive. Please identify your proposed area of focus in your cover letter.

Can I select more than one vertical? We expect each fellow to be the primary lead for one vertical. However, your expertise is not siloed. We strongly encourage cross-collaboration, and you will have many opportunities to contribute your experience to other verticals and work with other fellows.

Q: Can fellows collaborate with each other and with Democracy Forward staff?
A: Absolutely. Collaboration is a core component of the fellowship. Fellows will work together as a cohort, sharing insights and strategies. Fellows will also work with Democracy Forward staff consistent with the scope of their work

V. The Application Process

Q: What is the recommended length for the cover letter? Should it include a proposal?
A: It's OK to go beyond one page in your cover letter. Your cover letter should serve as a preliminary proposal and address the following prompts. 

• A brief overview of your government experience–including which agencies you have worked with, which programs you have deep experience with, and what additional skills and experience you bring to the program
• The agencies and programs you think are most important to focus on 
• The biggest risks to federal programs or services caused by attacks on the workforce in your issue area you think are most important to focus on 
• Your initial hypothesis on specific opportunities to rebuild government capacity that excite you the most.

Q: I’ve already submitted my application. Can I change it?
A: Thank you for the time and care you have already invested in your application. We are not able to accept revised materials at this time. Please be assured that your application will be evaluated on the merit of your experience and perspective as submitted. You will have opportunities to expand on your ideas throughout the review process. 

VI. Other Opportunities

Q: If I am not selected, will there be other ways to contribute?
A: Yes. The fellowship is just one part of a broader coalition effort. We are exploring ways to engage the incredible expertise of those who apply, potentially through volunteer roles or as subject matter experts. We are grateful for your interest and will provide updates on any future opportunities.

We look forward to receiving your application and learning more about how you can contribute to this vital work.

Warmly,
The Civil Service Strong Team powered by Democracy Forward