TechCongress Congressional Innovation Fellowship 2026: Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Policy

Applications for the 2026 fellowship cycle at the moment are open, providing early- and mid-career technologists a chance to carry their experience to the coronary heart of American democracy: the United States Congress. This prestigious fellowship locations professionals with backgrounds in expertise, knowledge science, engineering, cybersecurity, and associated fields in congressional places of work to function advisors on urgent expertise coverage points.

The digital world is evolving sooner than most establishments can adapt. From synthetic intelligence and knowledge privateness to cybersecurity and digital infrastructure, right this moment’s coverage selections require knowledgeable, up-to-date technological perception. That’s precisely the place the TechCongress Congressional Innovation Fellowship steps in.

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Fellowship Overview

Launched in 2016, the TechCongress Fellowship is a nonpartisan program that goals to equip Members of Congress with the technical perception wanted to legislate successfully in a digital age. The program has positioned over 119 technologists into the legislative course of since its inception, considerably influencing tech-related coverage selections on encryption, synthetic intelligence, election safety, facial recognition, and extra.

For the January 2026 cycle, the program is seeking to place as much as 20 fellows—10 in Democratic places of work and 10 in Republican places of work. Applicants could also be early-career professionals with 2–6 years of expertise, or mid-career technologists with at the very least 8 years of related expertise.

Notably, TechCongress is increasing its definition of “technologist” for this cycle. In addition to conventional roles like software program engineers and knowledge scientists, the 2026 cohort will even think about candidates from specialised domains resembling digital service supply, local weather tech, legal justice, and house. If you’ve labored in technical or analysis capacities in these sectors—whether or not via journalism, authorized work, scientific analysis, or engineering—you’re inspired to apply.

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What Fellows Do

Once chosen, every fellow works with TechCongress to discover a host workplace in Congress—both a Member’s workplace or a committee—based mostly on mutual pursuits and experience. Fellows report back to senior workers, resembling Legislative Directors, and tackle a spread of tasks, together with:

• Researching and drafting laws on technology-related points.

• Advising Members and their groups on subjects like AI regulation, web privateness, well being IT, and disinformation.

• Preparing supplies for committee hearings and markups.

• Building bipartisan coalitions on tech coverage points.

• Participating in occasions, workshops, and coverage briefings.

In addition, fellows are inspired to doc and share their expertise, contributing thought items or taking part in public discussions about the intersection of tech and authorities.

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Duration, Benefits, and Support

There are two tracks accessible relying on the applicant’s profession stage:

Early-Career Fellows (Congressional Innovation Fellows)

• Duration: January to October 2026

• Eligibility: 2 to six years of expertise (or at the moment finishing a graduate technical diploma by Jan 2026)

• Stipend: $73,500 (annual equal)

Mid-Career Fellows (Senior Congressional Innovation Fellows)

Both tracks embody a number of advantages to help the fellows’ transition to Washington, D.C.:

• Up to $2,000 for relocation bills

• $2,000 for short-term housing in the first month

• Health insurance coverage complement of as much as $425 per thirty days

• $500 skilled apparel allowance

• Up to a few periods with knowledgeable profession coach

• $2,000 in official journey help, together with a visit to the fellow’s home district

This beneficiant help construction ensures that fellows can absolutely give attention to their coverage work whereas constructing networks and getting ready for future management roles in authorities or advocacy.

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Who Should Apply?

Ideal candidates are enthusiastic about public service and enthusiastic about shaping nationwide insurance policies on points at the intersection of expertise and society. If you’ve gotten experience in digital techniques, knowledge coverage, rising applied sciences, science communication, or any of the newly included thematic areas (e.g. local weather or legal justice), your insights are critically wanted.

You don’t want earlier coverage expertise to apply—only a sturdy technical background and a need to make an impression. Applicants should be eligible to work in the United States, however citizenship is just not required.

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How to Apply

Applications are due by July 2, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. You can submit your application via the TechCongress web site and entry useful assets resembling an offline application kind, testimonials from previous fellows, and particulars about upcoming info periods.

Visit the official fellowship web page HERE.

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This is extra than simply an internship or a coverage tour—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime likelihood to assist information how the U.S. authorities understands and governs new applied sciences. Whether you’re a software program engineer, a analysis scientist, or a tech-savvy social innovator, TechCongress welcomes your voice in the rooms the place selections are made.

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For extra world alternatives like this, be sure you go to Opportunities for Youth.