Paragon Policy Fellowship Summer 2026: Remote Tech Policy for Students
Imagine gaining hands-on experience in tech policy while working remotely with real government partners. The Paragon Policy Fellowship Summer 2026 offers students and recent graduates a chance to tackle issues like AI governance and data privacy. This part-time program runs from May 27 to August 14, 2026, and requires about 8-10 hours per week.
Program Overview
The Paragon Policy Fellowship Summer 2026 is fully remote and focuses on technology policy and government innovation. Organized by Paragon, it pairs fellows with state and local governments across the U.S. to solve real-world problems. Key topics include artificial intelligence governance, broadband access, data privacy, cybersecurity, and digital public services.
Fellows research, analyze, and create policy solutions that governments can use right away. The program mixes independent work with team meetings and collaboration. Note that this summer cohort is unpaid due to funding changes, making it a volunteer opportunity.
Why This Opportunity Matters
Governments depend more on technology for services and rules every day. The Paragon Policy Fellowship fills a gap by training early-career people in both policy and tech. It helps students and grads break into tech policy, a field that often needs experience to enter.
By working with government partners, fellows see how decisions get made. Their ideas can improve public services and help communities. This is great for careers in public policy, civic tech, digital governance, or social impact. Diverse views make policies better and more inclusive.
What You’ll Gain
Fellows work on actual policy challenges that affect people. They learn how governments handle new tech issues and shape rules. Skills in research, writing, and analysis come from real government tasks.
Workshops, speaker sessions, and mentors from tech policy guide participants. Fellows build networks with peers, alumni, and leaders. This opens doors for future jobs, research, or media work through the Paragon network.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply, meet these rules:
- Be in a degree program (undergrad, grad, J.D., or Ph.D.) or graduated within the last year.
- Live mainly in the U.S. with work authorization, like U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, F-1 OPT, CPT, STEM OPT, or J-1 visa.
- Commit 8-10 hours weekly and join virtual meetings.
- Not have done this fellowship before.
- Be free for the full program and group interviews from May 17-20, 2026.
Application Process and Deadline
Apply online via the Paragon platform. Share personal and school info, answer short essay questions, and send a 3-5 page writing sample. Cover your availability, experience, and tech policy interests.
Selected applicants do a group trial interview May 17-20, 2026. Prove work authorization if picked. Deadline is April 30, 2026, at 8:59 PM PT (11:59 PM ET). Submit early; no late apps.
Visit the official application page to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Paragon Policy Fellowship Summer 2026?
It’s a fully remote, part-time program for students and recent grads to work on real tech policy issues like AI governance and data privacy with U.S. governments. It runs from May 27 to August 14, 2026, and takes 8-10 hours per week.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
You must be in a degree program or graduated within the last year, live mainly in the U.S. with work authorization, commit to the time schedule, and not have done the fellowship before.
Is the fellowship paid?
No, this summer 2026 cohort is unpaid due to funding changes, so it’s a volunteer opportunity.
What is the application deadline?
Applications are due by April 30, 2026, at 8:59 PM PT. Submit early through the official Paragon platform with essays and a writing sample.