Civic Bridgers Fellowship

A year of service for visionaries who rise above polarization to strengthen the future of our democracy.

The Civic Bridgers Fellowship immerses emerging professionals in a year of bridge-building service at a nonprofit or public agency. Every assignment is different, but one thing holds true: Fellows model, apply, and transfer bridging skills in service of their communities.

The 2026-2027 Fellowship begins August 2026 and ends August 2027. The Fellowship offers an uncommon opportunity for rising leaders to launch into a life of impact by bridging cultural and ideological differences.

The Fellowship begins with a one-week retreat in August 2026. Fellows learn the foundations of bridging, including evidence-based approaches to building understanding, fostering cooperation, and catalyzing community-driven change. Following the retreat, Fellows move into a year of service at their Hosts where they apply bridging mindsets, skills, and practices in service of their communities.

We treat our candidates like the humans they are! 
For this reason, our application is simple (no uploading your resume and then copying it over section by section) and all candidates receive a personalized response within 48 hours of applying. Candidates move forward on a rolling basis, so submit your application today!

STAGE 1: FEBRUARY 1 - MAY 29, 2026
Application and Screening

STAGE 2: ONGOING - JUNE 30, 2026
Interview & Offer 

STAGE 3: JULY 1 - AUGUST 31, 2026
Match & Onboard

ELIGIBILITY

Must be 18 years old by service start date.

Must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or DACA recipient. 

Must be able to commit to a year-long program from August 2026 - August 2027, with a full-time work week (a typical workweek is 35 hours per week daytime hours, Monday-Friday, but individual host sites may have their own guidelines).

Live and work in Minnesota during the 2026-27 term of service

QUALIFICATIONS

Academic Requirement: Applicants must have earned (or will earn by the start of the Fellowship) an associate’s or bachelor’s degree or trades certification from a recognized institution. In the absence of a degree or certification, equivalent workforce experience will be considered.

Eligible Degrees: This includes a wide range of academic disciplines and trades.

Leadership: The Fellowship looks for applicants who have demonstrated leadership abilities in their academic, professional, or extracurricular pursuits. This can include leadership in student organizations, professional work, social impact projects, or other leadership roles where you made a meaningful difference.

Language: Applicants must be fluent in English, as all programs are conducted in English. This is a general requirement for our programs.