Georgetown University Fellowship for the Common Good 2027: Leadership Opportunity in Washington, DC
Overview
The Georgetown University Fellowship for the Common Good is a year-long, in-person, non-degree programme for experienced professionals who want to redirect their talents toward societal challenges. The inaugural cohort begins in August 2027 at Georgetown's Capitol Campus in Washington, DC. It combines reflection, policy briefings, mentoring and immersive experiences, and each Fellow develops a Purpose Plan to turn their experience into action. The programme is grounded in Georgetown's Jesuit tradition and welcomes people of all religious and cultural backgrounds.
Who can apply
The Fellowship is for professionals with 20 or more years of work experience who are considering what comes next. Applicants should show curiosity, openness to reflection, generosity toward peers, willingness to learn from others and commitment to mentoring the next generation. They should be interested in a societal issue such as education reform, affordable housing, public health, sustainability, democracy, ethics or racial justice. Selection is holistic and includes an application, an interview and one reference.
What you get
Fellows have a dedicated workspace and attend core classes at 111 Mass Ave, near Georgetown Law, the McCourt School of Public Policy and the U.S. Capitol. There are two core courses: Fruit That Will Last: Meaning and Purpose, which draws on Ignatian values and other faith traditions, and Strategies for Addressing Societal Challenges, which introduces organizing and leadership methods. Fellows attend biweekly briefings led by Washington policy leaders and Georgetown scholars, join Policy in Practice visits to NGOs, think tanks, government agencies and advocacy groups, and mentor Georgetown undergraduate and graduate students. They may also audit approved Georgetown courses.
The Purpose Plan is a practical roadmap developed over the year with the Faculty Director and advisers. It might involve founding an organization, joining a board, volunteering, changing a current role or pursuing personal growth, with no required size or scale.
Requirements
The flat tuition fee is $75,000, covering the core courses, briefings, immersion trips, mentorship, course auditing and Purpose Plan support. Limited merit aid is available through Georgetown's Fellowship team. The programme cannot be completed remotely, and Fellows arrange their own housing in Washington, DC.
Key dates
Applications open on October 1, 2026. There are four rounds, with deadlines of December 15, 2026, January 15, 2027, March 15, 2027 and May 3, 2027. Applying earlier leaves more time to prepare.