Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs

The Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs is a nine-month, full-time, post-graduate leadership training program in civic engagement. It is a national fellowship that equips emerging leaders with hands-on experience across sectors—government, business, nonprofit, labor, and media—to prepare them for effective careers in public affairs. Rather than academic study, Coro is an experiential program: Fellows rotate through high-impact projects and internships in different organizations and receive intense training in leadership and communication. The program has operated for over 75 years and is known for producing civic leaders (including many prominent public officials).

Role Description: Coro Fellows function as a cohort of approximately 12 fellows in one of five cities (New York, San Francisco (Northern California), Los Angeles (Southern California), Pittsburgh, or St. Louis). They start in late summer with an orientation and then embark on a series of project placements (typically 4–6 weeks each) in various institutions: e.g., a city government agency, a business corporation, a nonprofit organization, a campaign or labor union, and a media outlet. In each rotation, Fellows take on an intern/consultant role, tackling real assignments and learning about that sector’s role in public affairs. Alongside rotations, Fellows convene for weekly training seminars and workshops in leadership skills (negotiation, public speaking, critical thinking), and they complete group projects and interviews with community leaders. They often do an independent “Focus Week” to explore a specific policy issue in depth. The fellowship is very demanding (often 50+ hours/week). There is no traditional stipend (some centers offer a modest stipend or housing support), but the value is in the network and skill-building. After the program (which ends in late spring), Fellows join the Coro alumni network and typically move into roles in government, policy, nonprofit management, or related fields, armed with a broad understanding of how different sectors interconnect in civic leadership.

Application Cycle: Annual (Applications open in fall, deadline in January; finalists interviewed in February/March; programs begin in August/September). Selection is competitive—usually about 60 fellows are chosen nationwide.

What You’ll Need:

• • A bachelor’s degree in any field (required). You can be a recent graduate or early-career professional.
  • Proven interest in public affairs or civic engagement. This could be evidenced by campus leadership, community service, campaign work, student government, advocacy or any cross-sector involvement.
  • Flexibility, curiosity, and desire to work in ambiguous, challenging environments. The Coro application will ask for examples of your resilience, leadership, and ability to work with diverse viewpoints.
  • No specific GPA or academic prerequisite (Coro is not academic). More important is your personal statement and interviews showing you are driven to make a positive change and open to introspective learning.

Preferred or Required Qualifications:

• • Required: Full-time commitment from August to May – one cannot hold another job or be in school concurrently. Fellows must be able to dedicate themselves fully and live in the cohort city for the program duration.
  • Preferred: Some leadership experience (formal or informal). Coro looks for individuals who have taken initiative – whether you led a student club, organized community events, or excelled in a workplace setting. Teamwork skills are also crucial since much of Coro is group-oriented.
  • An open mind and nonpartisan outlook. The fellowship values exposure to all perspectives in public affairs (for instance, you might be placed in a Democratic mayor’s office and later in a Republican-led business group). Adaptability to different organizational cultures is key.

Benefits and Perks:

• • Intensive leadership development training—essentially a “boot camp” for civic leadership. Fellows graduate with sharpened skills in project management, public speaking, consensus-building, and analytical thinking. Alumna Dianne Feinstein (former U.S. Senator) credited Coro training for much of her skill and resilience in politics
  • Unparalleled networking across sectors in the fellowship city. During the program, Fellows meet hundreds of influential stakeholders (through interviews and placements). These contacts often open doors to job opportunities post-fellowship. Coro’s alumni network of 15,000+ is very strong in civic circles.
  • Broad exposure to career paths in public service. By rotating through government, business, nonprofits, etc., Fellows gain insight into how to effect change from different angles. It’s common for a Fellow to discover a passion or make a connection that launches their career (e.g., getting hired by one of the host organizations).
  • Stipend/financial: The fellowship is tuition-free. Some Coro centers provide a modest living stipend (approximately $Corola/NY: around $6,000-$8,000 total; others may provide housing or host family assistance). Fellows often fund living costs via savings or modest outside scholarships. (Need-based financial aid may be available in certain cities.)
  • A certificate of completion and the prestige of being a Coro Fellow, which is well-recognized in public affairs circles and can be a stepping stone to grad programs (MPA/MPP) or leadership roles.

Where and How You Can Apply:

Official Website: corofellowship.org – Application Info – The application includes: a resume, short answer essays (why you want to be a Coro Fellow, an example of your leadership or problem-solving), and letters of recommendation. After initial review, select applicants are invited to a day-long assessment interview (often called Selection Day) in a Coro city, where they participate in group exercises, problem-solving tasks, and personal interviews. Final selections are made shortly after. Applicants should indicate city placement preferences in their application. Keep in mind the deadline (Jan 12, 2026) and that you must be ready to relocate by late summer if accepted. Each Coro center’s website (e.g., Coro New York, Coro SoCal) also offers specific details and contact info for questions.