State Policy Fellowship

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a high-caliber strategic policy institute that informs and shapes public policies to reduce poverty, promote equity, and build opportunity. It has a national reputation for conducting rigorous research and analysis, developing evidence-based policy ideas and strategies, shaping a broad array of policy debates at the federal and state levels, and influencing policy outcomes on a range of critical issues. It focuses on improving the lives of people with low or moderate incomes and examines how policies affect particular groups, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. The Center is known for its unique capacity to blend rigorous, timely analysis with effective communications that enable policymakers and the media to make use of its work.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is seeking applicants for the State Policy Fellowship Program to work as analysts on budget and public policy issues affecting low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color.

To expand the diversity of voices that speak with authority in state policy debates, the program identifies highly motivated candidates – with particular attention to candidates who have experience with communities underrepresented in state policy debates – with a demonstrated interest in working on public policies that affect low-income and diverse communities and have implications for racial equity. Fellows are placed with influential state policy organizations across the country.

The fellowship is a project of the State Priorities Partnership, a national network coordinated by the Center.

Position: Working in independent, highly respected policy organizations located across the country, State Policy Fellows analyze the impact of state budget and tax policy choices on low-income residents and communities of color and promote positive reforms.

The State Policy Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity to develop in-depth policy expertise. Fellowship responsibilities include tracking and analyzing legislative proposals and state budgets as well as conducting research and analysis on state budget, tax, and other issues to improve the lives of families from all backgrounds. Fellows will also produce reports and other materials for use by policymakers, journalists, advocacy groups, and civic organizations and collaborate with community-based advocates to engage the public on the impacts of public policies on their communities.

Additionally, Fellows will participate in training and career development opportunities, work with mentors, and have access to ongoing training and opportunities for professional growth.

Fellowship Responsibilities

State Policy Fellows will work as research analysts as they:

• Develop expertise in issues such as state budget and tax policies, health care, housing, immigration, education finance, tribal policy, family economic security, economic development, and criminal legal reform. 
• Produce reports and other materials for use by policymakers, journalists, advocacy groups, and civic organizations. 
• Track and analyze legislative proposals and state budgets. 
• Advance effective policy recommendations. 
• Engage with media, policymakers and their staffs, and a broad array of state and community organizations.
• Collaborate with community-based advocates to engage the public on the impacts of public policies on their communities. 

Core Requirements

• A college degree plus two years of relevant research experience OR a graduate degree in a related field.  
• Strong quantitative, writing, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated interest in working on state-level public policies affecting low-income communities, communities of color, and LGBTQ communities, and policies with implications for racial equity. 
• A commitment to understanding and undoing systemic racial inequities. 
• The ability to work on multiple tasks both independently and as part of a highly collaborative team, often on a time-sensitive basis. 
• Familiarity with state tax and budget policy issues and concepts or a willingness to learn on the job. 
• A two-year commitment— candidates must be eligible to work full time in the United States for the duration of the program. 
• The ability and willingness to relocate to the state(s) they select.  

Fellowship Locations

• Arizona Center for Economic Progress
  • Policy Focus: Tax and Budget, Immigration, and/or Tribal
• Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families
  • Policy Focus: Education
• DC Fiscal Policy Institute
  • Policy Focus: Tax and Budget
• Missouri Budget Project
  • Policy Focus: Tax and Budget
• New Jersey Policy Perspectives
  • Policy Focus: Health, Economic Opportunity, Tax and Budget

Applicants may select up to two locations or state organizations. Please list your top preference as “location preference 1.” Applicants must include a few sentences about their connection to or interest in each location. Applicants must be willing to relocate to the selected location.