Aaron Bailey
Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Morgan Conville
Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Laura Fairman
University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
Meet our 2025 & 2026 Fellows
The RFG Fellows are among the most promising students from some of America’s leading schools of public service, policy and administration.
Forrest Gatrell
Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
Nicholas Grempler
University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
Javier De Leon
University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
Julia Liebell-McLean
Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
Anna Misenti
University of California, San Diego, School of Global Policy & Strategy
Yolanda Nosakhare
University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
Samuel Park
Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Eugene La’mont Parrish
University of California, San Diego, School of Global Policy & Strategy
Mael-Sanh Perrier
Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
Zoe Prin
Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
Jackson Rice
University of California, San Diego, School of Global Policy & Strategy
Emma Viquez
Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Kaela Werchniak
University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
Brooke Wright
Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Rene Zeevat
University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
Benefits of Being a RFG Fellow
RFG Fellows share in a collegial cohort experience and participate in professional development programming during their Master’s degree studies and beyond.
The Fellowship significantly impacts career trajectories and expands circles of influence through academic support for two-year Master’s degrees and career-long professional development and networking opportunities.
By supporting the education of these students through academic fellowships and funding for professional development, RFG enables fellows to emerge from graduate school with lower to no financial burden so that they may pursue federal careers with complete dedication. Recipients of the Fellowship must commit to serving within the Federal Government for at least three years within the first seven years after graduation.
RFG Fellows receive:
- PAID TUITION FOR A MASTER’S DEGREE AT ONE OF FOUR RFG-AFFILIATED UNIVERSITIES
- ANNUAL STIPEND FOR BOOKS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, TRANSPORTATION, AND LIVING EXPENSES
- PAID TRIP TO WASHINGTON, DC FOR ANNUAL RFG FELLOWS’ GATHERING AND MEETINGS WITH POLICY EXPERTS
- $5,000 STIPEND FOR A SUMMER INTERNSHIP WITH A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENTITY AND SUPPORT TO PURSUE INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- GUIDANCE FROM AN EXPERIENCED GOVERNMENT CAREER ADVISOR
Application & Eligibility
The RFG Fellowship program funds Master’s degrees in international relations, policy, and related fields at the following four select partner universities.
- Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
- On Campus Contact: Cory J. Meyers, Director of Enrollment Management | MaxEnroll@syr.edu
- Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
- On Campus Contact: Matthew Upton, Assistant Dean, Graduate Career & Student Services | mupton@tamu.edu
- University of California, San Diego, School of Global Policy and Strategy
- On Campus Contact: Sonja Steinbrech, Director of Degree Program Enrollment | ssteinbrech@ucsd.edu
- University of Maryland, School of Public Policy
- On Campus Contact: Bryan Kempton, Director, Career Services & Alumni Relations | bkempton@umd.edu
Individuals interested in the RFG Fellowship must apply to one or more of
RFG’s partner schools. Each school has its own application process and admission
requirements for general acceptance. When applying, potential candidates should
indicate in their application that they would like to be considered for the Robertson
Foundation for Government Fellowship. During the admissions review process, a potential candidate will be evaluated for receiving the RFG Fellowship.
Those selected to receive the RFG Fellowship will be notified ahead of their
graduate degree program’s acceptance deadline.
When applying to one of RFG’s partner schools, a potential candidate for
the Fellowship must meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrate leadership potential.
- Show a sincere commitment to a public service career in the federal government.
- Convey a genuine focus on foreign policy, international relations, or national security.
- Exhibit excellent communication skills.
- Have functional fluency in a foreign language (or attain one by graduation from their Master’s degree program).
- Hold U.S. citizenship.
- Agree to the fellowship requirement to work for the federal government for a minimum of three years within the seven years after graduation.
