For over 75 years, Coro’s Fellows Program in Public Affairs has transformed emerging leaders through immersive experiences, cross-sector connections, and a powerful alumni network to drive lasting impact in communities nationwide.
The Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs is a nationally recognized, full-time fellowship that launches the next generation of civic leaders into careers of impact and purpose. Designed for early-career professionals, the Fellows Program combines immersive training, hands-on projects, access to influential change-makers, and cross-sector exposure.
The Fellows Program is the gold standard in public affairs training, with an over 80-year track record of advancing civic engagement and accelerating the careers of remarkable leaders. Fellows gain the skills, networks, and real-world experience needed to lead effectively and ethically, whether in government, business, labor, or the nonprofit world.
The Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs is a full-time immersive leadership development program for emerging leaders. In Southern California, St. Louis, and New York, it runs annually from September through May; in Northern California, from September through March.
Participants can look forward to:
Leadership Forums: Expert-led sessions on effective and ethical leadership practices. Fellows learn and apply strategies in systems thinking, adaptive leadership, communication, critical inquiry, stakeholder analysis, and more.
Focus Weeks: In-depth explorations of pressing regional issues. Through site visits, interviews, and independent research, Fellows take ownership of the learning process and build a deeper understanding of regional challenges.
Leadership Interviews: Closed-door conversations with influential cross-sector leaders provide candid insight into how they navigate challenges and opportunities throughout their careers.
Professional Placements: Fellows gain direct exposure to institutions, build strong networks, and create tangible organizational impact through hands-on, high-level assignments.
Spring Projects: In many Centers, individually-curated projects for partner organizations serve as the Fellowship’s culmination, giving Fellows the opportunity to apply their skills and strategies to high-impact, real-world deliverables.
The Fellows Program in Public Affairs has a two-step application process: a written application due on January 11, 2026 and a full-day, immersive judging event called Selection Day.
Each Coro Center operates its own Selection Day. After the written applications are submitted and reviewed, each Center will invite Finalists to participate in Selection Day. In most cases, selected Finalists will be invited to attend Selection Day at the location indicated as their first preference on the application.
Interested in learning more? Submit an interest form today and a representative from one of the Coro Centers will contact you shortly.
Learn More: https://corofellowship.org/