Wilson Center Congressional Fellowship Program 2026: Six-Week Foreign Policy Fellowship for Congressional Staff

The Wilson Center Congressional Fellowship Program (CFP) is a six-week professional development fellowship designed for current Congressional staff who want to deepen their understanding of global affairs, debate major foreign policy issues, and connect with leading experts and policymakers.

The programme brings together Congressional staffers from across the political aisle and creates an environment where participants can exchange ideas, examine complex international issues, and develop stronger professional networks. Throughout the six-week seminar, Fellows engage with leading foreign policy thinkers and practitioners. Sessions are designed to encourage analytical thinking, fresh perspectives, and informed debate around important international issues. The programme also includes an interactive simulation intended to encourage Fellows from across the political aisle to network, collaborate, and work together.

Participants who attend at least five of the six required sessions will receive a certificate of completion from the Wilson Center and join the Woodrow Wilson Congressional Fellowship Alumni Network, which consists of approximately 1,000 members. Alumni gain access to exclusive briefings, study trips, high-level roundtables, and ongoing connections with policymakers and academic experts.

Sessions take place on Fridays from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Wilson Center or on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.