IEEE USA Government Fellowship Program 2027 for International Students
Applications are now open for the IEEE USA Government Fellowship Program 2027. Eligible IEEE-USA members are invited to apply for this prestigious fellowship, which provides a unique opportunity to combine technical expertise with public policy and government service. Selected fellows will work full-time in Washington, D.C., for 12 months, from September 1, 2027, to August 31, 2028, gaining firsthand experience in the policymaking process while contributing their engineering knowledge to national issues.
The IEEE-USA Government Fellowship Program 2027 offers a unique opportunity for engineers and technology professionals to spend a full year working within the U.S. Congress or the U.S. Department of State. Fellows contribute technical expertise to areas such as technology policy, energy security, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, innovation, and international affairs while gaining firsthand experience in the U.S. policymaking process. Since its launch in 1973, the program has become one of the most respected public policy fellowships for engineering professionals in the United States.
Unlike traditional research fellowships, the IEEE-USA Government Fellowship places participants directly in government offices, where they work alongside legislators and policymakers to evaluate emerging technologies, develop policy recommendations, and support evidence-based decision-making. Over 150 IEEE members have participated in the program, bringing expertise in fields including telecommunications, semiconductor policy, AI, energy systems, and cybersecurity. The fellowship provides an exceptional platform for engineers to expand their leadership skills while helping shape policies that influence technology, innovation, and society.
IEEE USA Government Fellowship Program 2027 Details
| Offered by: | IEEE-USA Government |
| Scholarship coverage: | Funded |
| Eligible nationality: | All Nationalities |
| Award Country: | United States |
| Last date: | Not Specified |
Benefits of IEEE USA Government Fellowship Program
- A relocation payment of US$5,000
- An annual fellowship stipend of about US$95,000
- A total of about $100,000 in funding
- Training in professional policy
- Possibilities for networking with high-ranking government figures
- Direct involvement in federal and congressional policymaking
- Participation in the alumni network of IEEE-USA Government Fellows
- Depending on placement and experience, the Congressional Electric Grid Policy Fellowship may pay more.
IEEE USA Government Fellowship Tracks
Depending on their skills and the needs of the organization, applicants may be given consideration for one of the following fellowship pathways.
1# Congressional Fellowship
Fellows in this premier program are assigned to committees or offices in Congress, where they support lawmakers by:
- Creating legislation
- Getting committee hearings ready
- Performing research on policy
- Creating technical policy summaries
- Counseling Congressmen on matters pertaining to science and technology
- Converting intricate engineering ideas into useful policy suggestions
2# Engineering & Diplomacy Fellowship
Selected Fellows support U.S. foreign policy efforts involving science and technology while serving in the U.S. Department of State. Work areas could be:
- Diplomacy in science
- International collaboration in technology
- New technologies
- Policy for cybersecurity
- International collaborations for innovation
- International standards for engineering
3# Congressional Electric Grid Policy Fellowship
America’s electric power infrastructure is the subject of one of IEEE-USA’s most recent specialized fellowships. Fellows may influence policy in the following areas:
- Modernization of the electric grid
- Integration of renewable energy
- Resilience of the grid
- Planning for transmission
- Laws pertaining to energy infrastructure
- Cybersecurity for grids
- Programs for federal energy
- Policy for the power market
Although further graduate degrees may be taken into consideration, applicants for this fellowship are typically required to have about seven years of relevant professional experience.
Eligible Academic Fields
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Robotics
- Cybersecurity
- Telecommunications
- Energy Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Environmental Engineering
- Technology Policy
- Other engineering and applied science disciplines
Objectives
Instead of being observers during the fellowship year, participants actively participate in government offices. Typical duties consist of:
- Assessing suggested laws
- Meetings with lawmakers and high-ranking officials
- Making briefings for Congress
- Investigating new technologies
- Creating policy documents
- Advising committees on engineering matters
- Supporting stakeholder gatherings and hearings
- Converting technological data into practical public policy
What are the Eligibility Criteria for USA Government Fellowship
- Applicants must have a current IEEE membership.
- For the duration of the fellowship, you must be able to move to Washington, D.C.
- Applicants should be highly skilled in science, technology, or engineering.
- Applicants must have excellent verbal and writing communication abilities.
- Applicants must genuinely be interested in government issues and public policy.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the IEEE USA Government Fellowship Program 2027 for international students is not specified. Applicants can apply several months before starting the fellowship on 1st September 2026.
How to Apply for the IEEE USA Government Fellowship Program?
Applications normally open several months before the fellowship’s start date of September 1, 2027, so interested candidates should keep a close eye on the official IEEE USA Government Fellowship Program portal.
