The fellowship places accomplished professionals within local government agencies where they work alongside public leaders to develop innovative solutions to pressing community challenges. Fellows contribute expertise in areas such as housing, education, climate resilience, economic development, healthcare, transportation, food systems, youth development, homelessness, renewable energy, public health, and community engagement.

Unlike traditional internships or volunteer programs, the FUSE Executive Fellowship is a professional, full-time leadership opportunity designed for individuals who already possess significant career experience and want to create measurable public impact.

About FUSE

FUSE is a national nonprofit organization committed to helping local governments become more effective by increasing their capacity to engage communities and solve complex public problems. The organization brings together experienced professionals and government agencies to accelerate systems change and improve outcomes for communities across the United States.

Its model centers on embedding Executive Fellows within city or county governments to work on strategic initiatives that deliver long-lasting public value.

Rather than serving as consultants, Fellows become integrated members of government teams, bringing private-sector expertise, innovative thinking, collaborative leadership, and project management skills into public service.

What is the FUSE Executive Fellowship?

The FUSE Executive Fellowship is a 12- to 24-month, full-time public service leadership program that places experienced professionals inside local government agencies to address major community priorities.

Executive Fellows partner directly with city and county leaders to:

• Solve complex public challenges
• Improve government operations
• Build sustainable systems
• Strengthen community partnerships
• Deliver measurable public impact
• Develop innovative policies
• Improve service delivery
• Support long-term institutional change

Throughout the fellowship, participants receive training and capacity building in areas including:

• Change management
• Human-centered design
• Government operations
• Cross-sector collaboration
• Leadership development
• Public sector innovation

The fellowship combines practical implementation with professional development, enabling fellows to maximize their effectiveness while working on transformational projects.

Why Apply for the FUSE Executive Fellowship?

The fellowship provides experienced professionals with the opportunity to transition their leadership experience into meaningful public service while working on projects that directly improve communities.

Participants become trusted advisors to government leaders while developing innovative solutions that continue benefiting communities long after the fellowship concludes.

Areas of Work

FUSE Executive Fellows contribute to a wide range of public sector priorities, including:

• Affordable housing
• Community development
• Economic mobility
• Workforce development
• Education systems
• Public health
• Behavioral health
• Climate resilience
• Renewable energy
• Transportation
• Infrastructure
• Food systems
• Agriculture
• Flood resilience
• Environmental sustainability
• Homelessness services
• Youth development
• Family wellbeing
• Criminal justice reform
• Data systems
• Government modernization
• Community engagement
• Public policy
• Strategic planning

Fellowship Locations

The 2026 fellowship includes opportunities in numerous locations across the United States, including:

• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Bentonville, Arkansas
• Birmingham, Alabama
• Centerton, Arkansas
• Dayton, Ohio
• Fresno, California
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Los Angeles, California
• New York City, New York
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Richfield, Utah
• Rochester, New York
• Rogers, Arkansas
• Sacramento, California
• San Francisco, California
• Spartanburg, South Carolina
• Springdale, Arkansas

In addition, applicants may submit a General Application for future fellowship opportunities based on project availability.

Types of Fellowship Projects

Each fellowship addresses a unique local government priority. Examples include:

Housing and Urban Development

• Affordable housing delivery
• Mixed-income housing
• Housing policy analysis
• Lease-up process modernization
• Single-room occupancy housing sustainability

Climate and Environmental Sustainability

• Renewable energy affordability
• Solar street lighting
• Stormwater management
• Flood resilience
• Forest health
• Biomass utilization
• Climate adaptation

Public Health

• Population health management
• Healthcare coordination
• Behavioral health services
• Public health systems integration

Economic Development

• Downtown revitalization
• Commercial corridor development
• Workforce development
• Economic mobility
• Agricultural development

Youth and Education

• Children’s Cabinets
• Cradle-to-career initiatives
• Career pathways
• Community partnerships
• Education systems coordination

Community Services

• Homelessness response
• Resident engagement
• Community connectivity
• Government modernization
• Public service delivery

Each fellowship is tailored to the specific needs of the host government agency while contributing to long-term systems improvement.

Benefits of the Fellowship

Successful FUSE Executive Fellows will receive numerous professional and leadership benefits, including:

• Full-time executive fellowship placement
• Opportunity to work directly with city and county governments
• Real-world leadership experience
• Professional training and development
• Change management training
• Human-centered design training
• Cross-sector collaboration experience
• Public policy exposure
• Opportunity to solve major community challenges
• National professional network
• Long-term career development
• Opportunity to create measurable social impact

What Makes the FUSE Fellowship Unique?

Unlike many leadership fellowships, FUSE emphasizes implementation rather than research.

Participants spend their fellowship:

• Working inside government agencies
• Leading strategic initiatives
• Coordinating stakeholders
• Developing sustainable systems
• Delivering measurable community outcomes

This hands-on model enables Fellows to leave behind lasting institutional improvements rather than short-term recommendations.

How the Fellowship Works

The FUSE Model follows three major phases:

1. Placement within a city or county government.
2. Strategic project implementation in partnership with government leaders.
3. Delivery of sustainable systems and long-term organizational capacity improvements.

How to Apply

Interested professionals should:

1. Visit the FUSE Executive Fellowship application portal.
2. Review available fellowship openings.
3. Select the fellowship opportunity that best aligns with their expertise.
4. Submit the required application materials.
5. Consider submitting a General Application if no current opening matches their background.

APPLY HERE

Is There an Application Deadline?

The current fellowship listings do not specify a single universal application deadline. Applications are tied to individual fellowship opportunities, and positions may close as they are filled.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible for positions of interest.

Why You Should Apply

The FUSE Executive Fellowship is ideal for experienced professionals who want to leverage their expertise to strengthen local governments and improve the lives of communities across the United States.

Whether your background is in business, nonprofit leadership, policy, engineering, healthcare, planning, education, finance, sustainability, or technology, the fellowship offers an opportunity to translate your experience into meaningful public impact while expanding your leadership capabilities.

 Visit HERE to learn more about the FUSE Executive Fellowship 2026 in the USA

Conclusion

The FUSE Executive Fellowship 2026 provides a rare opportunity for accomplished professionals to transition into impactful public service while working on some of the most pressing issues facing American communities. Through placements in local government agencies, fellows help drive transformational change in areas ranging from affordable housing and climate resilience to education, public health, and economic development.

With extensive professional development, collaborative partnerships, and the opportunity to create lasting systems change, the fellowship is an outstanding opportunity for experienced leaders who are passionate about making a difference through public service. Since fellowship opportunities are offered on a rolling basis and individual positions may close when filled, interested applicants should submit their applications as soon as possible.

For more global Fellowship opportunities visit OFY HERE