CRCD D.C. Fellowship for Civic Renewal 2027 (Fully-funded)

Overview

The D.C. Fellowship for Civic Renewal, run by the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy (CRCD), is a competitive programme for about a dozen high-achieving students aiming for careers in law, public service, policy research or related fields. The 2027 fellowship centres on lively discussions of pressing challenges in modern governance, including political division, post-liberalism, rising antisemitism, attacks on the free market, and the state of religious institutions and families. Prominent scholars, lawyers and members of the federal judiciary lead these discussions.

Outside the sessions, fellows build relationships with First Liberty staff and alumni of CRCD programmes at meals and networking events. Guided tours of venues such as the United States Capitol, the Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims reinforce the themes of the programme. Over more than a decade, alumni have gone on to clerk at the United States Court of Appeals, work as civil servants at the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture, serve as congressional staffers and join leading think tanks.

What you get

The programme is fully funded for selected participants.

Who can apply

The fellowship suits high-achieving undergraduate students who aspire to careers in law, public service, policy or related fields. Fellows often come from law, history, philosophy and political science programmes, but students from every discipline are welcome.

How to apply

The application consists of a completed online form, a resume, a cover letter, a letter of recommendation and a writing sample. Cover letters and writing samples must be original work, not prepared using generative artificial intelligence.

Key dates

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until November 13, 2026.