Horizon Fellowship 2027 in the USA | Paid Fellowship for Emerging Technology Experts

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The Horizon Fellowship 2027 is now open for applications for individuals interested in building careers in technology policy and public service in the United States. Offered by the Horizon Institute for Public Service, this paid fellowship places experts in artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies in federal agencies, congressional offices, and leading think tanks in Washington, DC.

The fellowship combines policy training with full-time professional placements to help participants apply their technical expertise to public policy challenges. Before starting their placements, selected fellows complete several months of remote training covering the U.S. federal government, policy analysis, memo writing, and other practical policy skills. Fellows are then matched with host organizations based on their expertise, career goals, and interests.

The Horizon Fellowship provides competitive salaries based on experience, along with additional financial support for benefits, professional development, and relocation. The program welcomes applicants from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, including engineering, computer science, medicine, law, economics, and public policy. Previous policy experience is not required, making the fellowship accessible to professionals who want to transition into technology policy.

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Quick Overview of Horizon Fellowship 2027

Host Country: United States
Program Location: Washington, DC
Host Organization: Horizon Institute for Public Service
Program Type: Paid Fellowship
Training Starts: January 2027 (Remote)
Placement Starts: Summer 2027
Duration:
- Junior Fellows: 6 months
- Fellows: 12 months
- Senior Fellows: 12 months (with possible renewal)
Application Deadline: August 30, 2026

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Benefits of the Horizon Fellowship 2027

Selected fellows will receive a comprehensive financial package throughout the program.

The fellowship benefits include:

Junior Fellows: $78,000 annual base salary
Fellows: $130,000 annual base salary
Senior Fellows: $190,000+ annual base salary
$17,000 benefits-equivalent stipend
$3,000 professional development stipend
Up to $3,000 relocation support for moving to Washington, DC
Part-time remote policy training before placement
In-person networking events in Washington, DC
Career mentoring from policy experts
Individualized placement support
Access to Horizon’s network of more than 100 fellows and alumni

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Fellowship Tracks

Applicants may apply for one of the following placement tracks:

Executive Branch
U.S. Congress
Think Tanks

Applicants should note that Junior Fellows are only eligible for Think Tank placements, while Fellows and Senior Fellows may be considered for all three tracks depending on their qualifications.

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Host Organizations

Previous Horizon Fellows have worked with leading U.S. government institutions and policy organizations, including:

U.S. Department of Commerce
U.S. Department of State
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Senate Commerce Committee
House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
Foundation for American Innovation
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

The fellowship focuses on matching participants with organizations where their technical knowledge can contribute to public policy and emerging technology initiatives.

Eligibility Criteria

The Horizon Fellowship welcomes applicants from interdisciplinary backgrounds who have demonstrated expertise in emerging technologies.

Competitive applicants may have experience in:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Biotechnology
Cybersecurity
Computer Science
Software Engineering
Data Science
Electrical Engineering
Medicine
Law
Economics
Public Policy
Scientific Research
Other technology-related disciplines

Applicants can demonstrate their expertise through:

Professional work experience
Academic research
Relevant coursework
Publications
Policy writing
Independent study

Previous experience in government or public policy is not required.

Fellowship Levels

The program offers three fellowship levels based on professional experience.

Junior Fellow

Applicants generally:

Have less than three years of full-time professional experience
Do not hold a PhD
May be current students or recent graduates
Are eligible for Think Tank placements

Fellow

Applicants generally:

Have at least three years of relevant full-time professional experience, or
Hold a PhD in a related field

Senior Fellow

Applicants generally:

Have at least 12 years of professional experience
Possess significant leadership experience
May be placed in senior advisory or leadership roles

Program Structure

The Horizon Fellowship follows three main phases before fellows begin their placements.

Training Phase (January to March 2027)

Selected fellows complete part-time online training while continuing their current work or studies. Training includes:

Understanding the U.S. federal government
Policy analysis
Memo writing
Policy communication
Networking with technology policy professionals

The training concludes with an in-person weekend event in Washington, DC.

Matching Phase (April to May 2027)

After completing the training, fellows participate in a personalized matching process.

Horizon provides:

Introductions to host organizations
Resume and application support
Interview preparation
Career guidance

Participants typically receive multiple placement opportunities before selecting the organization that best matches their interests.

Placement Phase (Summer 2027)

Following successful matching, fellows begin full-time placements with their host organizations. Placement start dates are coordinated directly with the host organization.