Bryce Harlow Fellowship Program

Bryce Harlow Fellows at the 30th Annual Bryce Harlow Award Dinner

Since 1985, the Foundation has awarded fellowships to highly motivated students who are pursuing a career in professional advocacy through public affairs, government relations or lobbying. The Foundation considers its Bryce Harlow Fellows to be the future of professional advocacy — those who are committed to practicing the art of lobbying with the highest level of integrity.

Is the Bryce Harlow Fellowship Right for You?

You are a BRYCE HARLOW FELLOWSHIP candidate if you:

1. Seek a challenging career advocating policy positions to government officials on behalf of a client, corporation, trade association or interest group in an effort to influence legislation or a regulation;
2. Understand that sound, truthful, and sometimes technical arguments play a vital role in the development of good public policy;
3. Enjoy monitoring and interpreting policy developments within the executive and legislative branches of government that may be of interest in the future to your company or organization; and
4. Believe that professionalism, honesty, integrity and compliance with the laws are the basic tenets of a successful career in lobbying.

Benefits

Alumni and fellows meet to discuss mentoring opportunities

Fellowships are awarded to individuals who undertake graduate level studies on a part-time basis and work full-time. Graduate programs may include, but are not limited to, public policy, law, and business. The $6,000 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 Mentorship Program, which pairs the fellow with one of the Foundation's board members. Board members are recognized business/government professionals, and are highly visible in the D.C. community as advocates of professional integrity in government relations. Past mentors have included senior executives at Microsoft, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Textron. Mentors offer a diverse portfolio of expertise and are invaluable resources for past fellows. Mentors champion fellows' career aspirations, providing professional development and career-specific networking opportunities in the business-government relations field.

Students selected as Bryce Harlow Fellows are encouraged to re-apply for the award during consecutive years in which they are eligible. The process begins each year in January with on-line application materials and ends in July with the announcement of the fellows.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for the Bryce Harlow Fellowship:

1. Students must be accepted for admission to a graduate degree program at a participating university. Those students attending a different university who meet all other criteria may email the Foundation to be considered for the fellowship.
2. Students must plan to enroll in part-time graduate studies for credit at the participating university for at least two semesters of the next academic year.
3. Students who are accepted to an accredited graduate program but have not yet started their first year are allowed to apply for the fellowship.
4. Applicants must demonstrate an interest and strong ability for a career in public affairs, government relations or lobbying.
5. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Application Checklist

Submit your application materials (in the following order) in one packet to your university contact.

• APPLICATION
  The application must be typed and signed. Please do not use staples.
• APPLICATION QUESTIONS (4)
  Complete the four application questions (attached to the application) and submit with your application packet.
• RESUME
• RECOMMENDATION LETTERS (2)
  Download and complete the recommendation request form(s). Two letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant are required.
• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
  Include all of your official transcripts. Official transcripts from all undergraduate universities should be requested and included in their sealed envelopes.

All application materials must be returned to the appropriate university contact by the deadline date.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 6, 2012

The application and all supporting materials must be received by the university contact by April 6, 2012. Materials submitted after this date will not be considered.

Selection Process

Each university is allowed to recommend up to ten applicants for the Bryce Harlow Fellowship. If more than ten applications are received by a university, a school-based committee will select the applications to be forwarded to the Foundation. The Bryce Harlow Foundation Fellowship Committee will review and select finalists from applicants recommended by participating universities. The committee will then interview the finalists, and make final fellowship decisions for the 2012-2013 Bryce Harlow Fellows.

Selection Criteria

Strong applicants will demonstrate:

• Strong interest in a career in public affairs, government relations or lobbying (30%)
• Professional achievement and leadership potential (25%)
• Academic achievement and potential (20%)
• Financial need (15%)
• Knowledge of the advocacy process and Bryce Harlow himself (10%)

Notification

Applicants whose files are completed by the deadline will be notified of the Foundation's decision by August 10, 2012. The first installment of funds will be paid directly to the university in mid-August.

Fellowship brochure (PDF version)
Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions or concerns about your own eligibility, please contact us.