2026 BLC Congressional Fellowship

The Bipartisan Learning Communities (BLC) Congressional Fellowship is a nonpartisan, no-cost professional development program for current congressional staff. Developed in partnership with senior Hill staff, policy experts, and adult-learning experts, the fellowship equips participants with practical, Hill-relevant skills and networks to navigate complex health policy challenges.

We are currently accepting applications for the 2026 BLC Fellowship. Apply below to join a growing bipartisan community of rising health policy leaders.

“This fellowship highlighted for me the importance of bipartisanship and the similarities between people across the aisle and allowed me to identify spaces where progress is possible.” – Siobhan Murray, 2025 BLC Fellow, and Legislative Correspondent to Sen. Tim Kaine

“This bipartisan fellowship program provides not only context and knowledge about health care issues, but also skills for staffers to learn how to become leaders in the field.” – Cynthia Rice, MPP, Head of Patient Advocacy and Alliance Development, UCB, and Alliance Board Member

About the 2026 Fellowship

We’re proud to build on a successful first year by expanding the 2026 program to focus on what fellows valued most:

• Rich, expert-led education on foundational and emerging health policy topics
• Practical skill-building that reflect the realities of congressional work
• In-person experiences that deepen cross-aisle understanding and peer relationships
• Opportunities for connection with a growing bipartisan network of fellows, alumni, and policy leaders

Over the next year, fellows will participate in monthly sessions, interactive workshops, small-group discussions, and curated networking opportunities designed to build confidence, competence, and community that benefits their day-to-day work on the Hill and beyond.

“The fellowship invests in congressional staffers and their professional development in a way that was lacking on Capitol Hill. These are critical positions that are influencing health policy for hundreds of millions of people in the U.S.” – Alyson Northrup, Senior Policy Officer at RWJF

Eligibility

The BLC Congressional Fellowship is open to:

• Early-to-mid career congressional staff, typically with 1-5 years of full-time experience
• Staff serving in House, Senate, and Committee offices, across both parties
  • Common job titles include: Legislative Aide, Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Assistant, Senior Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, Policy Adviser, Professional Staff Member
• Staff with any policy background (prior health policy experience is not required)

Applicants must be currently employed in a congressional office at the time of application.

“It’s rewarding to see how many young staffers care a lot about the future of health care in our country. Whether it’s access to care, rural health care, everyone kind of had a specific passion that they brought to the table.” – Leah McPherson, 2025 BLC Fellow, and Senior Legislative Assistant to Rep. Ashley Hinson

How to Apply

Please direct questions or referrals to the Alliance at congressionalfellowship@allhealthpolicy.org.

“If a colleague of mine were considering applying for the fellowship, I’d tell them, be prepared to become the person you want to be on the Hill.” – Ornella Musinguzi, 2025 BLC Fellow, and Legislative Correspondent to Sen. Van Hollen

Key Dates

• Call for Applications Opens: December 18, 2025
• Application Deadline: February 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
• Applicant Interviews & Notifications: February-March 2026
• Fellow Orientation: March 2026

Dates are subject to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

For more information about applying for the BLC Fellowship and tips for what makes a strong application, download this FAQ document:

This program is made possible by generous support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.