The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program offers an unparalleled academic and professional experience to University of Texas System graduate and medical students from all academic disciplines. To ensure you have a strong application, please read and follow the application guidelines below.
The Summer 2026 Graduate Archer Fellowship application is now closed. The Summer 2027 Graduate Archer Fellowship application will open in September 2026.
The Summer 2026 Graduate Archer Fellowship application is now closed. The Summer 2027 Graduate Archer Fellowship application will open in September 2026.
Archer Center generative AI usage statement and guidance
Statement of values regarding the use of generative AI
The Archer Center values reflection, authenticity, and the distinct qualities and talents that individuals bring to collective challenges. These qualities emerge only through the difficult work of self-reflection and thoughtful consideration of complex issues. While AI tools may offer convenience for everyday life, they are no substitute for the vital practice of writing and thinking. As we navigate the changing AI landscape, we will identify effective uses that support--not erode--your capacity to flourish in your academic and professional life. However, we strongly discourage the use of generative AI for your Archer Fellowship Program application, internship search, or academic work.
Application guidance on the use of generative AI
When reviewing applications, selection committee members value your voice, your self-reflection, and your ability to apply critical thought to difficult questions and your own personal growth. For this reason, the Archer Center strongly discourages you from using generative AI when preparing your application. Our application essays are meant to prompt thoughtful reflection on your personal and professional goals, core values, and dedication to public service. Generative AI tools cannot replace the meaningful introspection these questions ask of candidates.
Remember, we value your voice; an AI tool cannot generate you. Whatever the outcome of your application, we hope that true engagement with the Archer Fellowship application will help you clarify your own priorities and goals.
Privacy guidance
Using AI tools can introduce cybersecurity and privacy risks, such as exposing sensitive data and creating inaccurate or manipulated outputs that could mislead decisions. Exercise caution and ensure your use complies with institution policies and applicable laws.
The Archer Center values reflection, authenticity, and the distinct qualities and talents that individuals bring to collective challenges. These qualities emerge only through the difficult work of self-reflection and thoughtful consideration of complex issues. While AI tools may offer convenience for everyday life, they are no substitute for the vital practice of writing and thinking. As we navigate the changing AI landscape, we will identify effective uses that support--not erode--your capacity to flourish in your academic and professional life. However, we strongly discourage the use of generative AI for your Archer Fellowship Program application, internship search, or academic work.
Application guidance on the use of generative AI
When reviewing applications, selection committee members value your voice, your self-reflection, and your ability to apply critical thought to difficult questions and your own personal growth. For this reason, the Archer Center strongly discourages you from using generative AI when preparing your application. Our application essays are meant to prompt thoughtful reflection on your personal and professional goals, core values, and dedication to public service. Generative AI tools cannot replace the meaningful introspection these questions ask of candidates.
Remember, we value your voice; an AI tool cannot generate you. Whatever the outcome of your application, we hope that true engagement with the Archer Fellowship application will help you clarify your own priorities and goals.
Privacy guidance
Using AI tools can introduce cybersecurity and privacy risks, such as exposing sensitive data and creating inaccurate or manipulated outputs that could mislead decisions. Exercise caution and ensure your use complies with institution policies and applicable laws.
Applicants are required to submit the following application materials:
Recommendation Letters
Provide two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be an academic recommendation. The academic recommendation must be from a UT System professor or lecturer in whose course you have been enrolled (letters from teaching assistants, graduate students, or anyone without a faculty appointment will not be accepted). The second letter may also be from a UT System professor (following the same criteria as above) or a professional recommendation from a supervisor (on or off campus) who can speak to your professional qualifications. We discourage recommendation letters from family members or personal friends. Together, your two recommendation letters should address your academic skills and qualities such as responsibility, analytic ability, leadership, maturity, work ethic, commitment to public service, and ability to work well with others. Letters should be addressed to the Archer Fellowship Program Selection Committee.
We recommend that you create your application account and enter your recommender information long before the deadline so that your recommenders have ample time to complete the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program student evaluation survey and upload a letter on your behalf. Once you submit your recommender information through the online application, we encourage you to confirm with your recommender that they received an email with instructions for completing the recommendation. If your recommender does not receive a confirmation email, please verify that you submitted the correct email address on the application portal. If problems persist, contact the Archer Center.
Resume
Please submit a resume in PDF format that describes your education, employment history, leadership experiences, publications, and volunteer activities. The resume must NOT be more than two pages, front only, and should be reviewed by the Career Services office on your campus. We encourage you to use one of the following resume templates for your application:
Provide two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be an academic recommendation. The academic recommendation must be from a UT System professor or lecturer in whose course you have been enrolled (letters from teaching assistants, graduate students, or anyone without a faculty appointment will not be accepted). The second letter may also be from a UT System professor (following the same criteria as above) or a professional recommendation from a supervisor (on or off campus) who can speak to your professional qualifications. We discourage recommendation letters from family members or personal friends. Together, your two recommendation letters should address your academic skills and qualities such as responsibility, analytic ability, leadership, maturity, work ethic, commitment to public service, and ability to work well with others. Letters should be addressed to the Archer Fellowship Program Selection Committee.
We recommend that you create your application account and enter your recommender information long before the deadline so that your recommenders have ample time to complete the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program student evaluation survey and upload a letter on your behalf. Once you submit your recommender information through the online application, we encourage you to confirm with your recommender that they received an email with instructions for completing the recommendation. If your recommender does not receive a confirmation email, please verify that you submitted the correct email address on the application portal. If problems persist, contact the Archer Center.
Resume
Please submit a resume in PDF format that describes your education, employment history, leadership experiences, publications, and volunteer activities. The resume must NOT be more than two pages, front only, and should be reviewed by the Career Services office on your campus. We encourage you to use one of the following resume templates for your application:
Transcript
Instructions:
If you have difficulty obtaining an unofficial transcript, please contact the Archer Center at [email protected].
Personal Statement
Write an original personal statement (maximum of 500 words) that explains why you seek to be a Graduate Archer Fellow by addressing the following prompts:
Please submit in PDF format.
Policy Research Prospectus
Students accepted into the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program are required to write a policy research paper during their fellowship that: (1) analyzes a current challenge that federal policy can address and (2) advances a specific policy recommendation for addressing the challenge. Students are encouraged to select a topic that is important to them, draws on their professional and/or academic work, and is relevant to their academic and professional aspirations.
For this application, please write a short prospectus (maximum of 500 words) for the policy research paper that includes the following information:
The prospectus must include supporting evidence with properly formatted citations (such as MLA, APA, or Chicago). Citations are not included in the 500-word limit for the policy paper.
Please refer to the Policy Research Prospective Guidance sheet for guidance and tips on preparing your prospectus.
Please submit in PDF format.
Instructions:
- Attach an unofficial transcript (or academic summary for UT Austin students) from your UT System home institution.
- Attach an unofficial transcript from all previous colleges and universities attended, including undergraduate and graduate coursework.
- If your current university transcript contains all course information from past institutions, you only need to submit your current transcript.
- Please ensure that all of your academic coursework is included on your submitted transcripts.
- Screenshots of course records or course summaries will not be accepted.
- Please submit all transcripts as a single PDF document.
If you have difficulty obtaining an unofficial transcript, please contact the Archer Center at [email protected].
Personal Statement
Write an original personal statement (maximum of 500 words) that explains why you seek to be a Graduate Archer Fellow by addressing the following prompts:
- Elaborate on your commitment to public service, policy, and/or politics, including any background, training, and/or skills that have prepared you to be a Graduate Archer Fellow.
- Elaborate on how this program will advance your educational and professional goals. Why do you want to live, learn, and intern in Washington, D.C.?
- The Graduate Archer Fellowship Program is a cohort-based learning experience where students are encouraged to learn from each other through academic discourse and fellowship. What qualities, experiences, and perspectives would you bring to the cohort learning environment?
- How would you contribute to the Archer Center's mission and vision?
Please submit in PDF format.
Policy Research Prospectus
Students accepted into the Graduate Archer Fellowship Program are required to write a policy research paper during their fellowship that: (1) analyzes a current challenge that federal policy can address and (2) advances a specific policy recommendation for addressing the challenge. Students are encouraged to select a topic that is important to them, draws on their professional and/or academic work, and is relevant to their academic and professional aspirations.
For this application, please write a short prospectus (maximum of 500 words) for the policy research paper that includes the following information:
- Describe the federal policy challenge you wish to solve, identify the stakeholders, and explain why it is important.
- Articulate a policy recommendation that would effectively address this challenge.
- Describe how you would approach researching the policy challenge while in Washington, D.C.
- Explain how you would use this policy research project to support your academic and professional aspirations after the fellowship.
The prospectus must include supporting evidence with properly formatted citations (such as MLA, APA, or Chicago). Citations are not included in the 500-word limit for the policy paper.
Please refer to the Policy Research Prospective Guidance sheet for guidance and tips on preparing your prospectus.
Please submit in PDF format.
List of Potential Internship Sites
Research and compile a list of three potential internship sites in Washington, D.C., that align with your academic and professional goals (maximum of 250 words). Include a paragraph for each internship opportunity explaining why you have chosen it and how you would benefit from interning there as a Graduate Archer Fellow. Please note that if you are selected as an Archer Fellow, you are not required to intern at one of these three sites. The selection committee seeks to understand what types of internships interest you.
Please submit in PDF format.
To explore potential internship sites, visit our internship webpage.
Disclosure Statement
Please disclose the following:
NOTE: Disclosure of this information does not automatically disqualify you from the Archer Fellowship Program; however, nondisclosure of this information is considered a falsification of your application.
If you have nothing to disclose, you must indicate this on the online application. More information regarding the disclosure statement can be found on the online application.
All application materials must be submitted in PDF format.
Research and compile a list of three potential internship sites in Washington, D.C., that align with your academic and professional goals (maximum of 250 words). Include a paragraph for each internship opportunity explaining why you have chosen it and how you would benefit from interning there as a Graduate Archer Fellow. Please note that if you are selected as an Archer Fellow, you are not required to intern at one of these three sites. The selection committee seeks to understand what types of internships interest you.
Please submit in PDF format.
To explore potential internship sites, visit our internship webpage.
Disclosure Statement
Please disclose the following:
- Criminal convictions and/or deferred adjudications, as well as any pending criminal charges against you. A conviction includes the initial plea, verdict, or finding of guilt, a plea of no contest, or pronouncement of sentence by a trial court, even if that conviction may not be final or the sentence actually imposed until appeals are exhausted. Only minor traffic infractions may be excluded.
- Student disciplinary actions which have been imposed against you in the past, and any current or pending student disciplinary actions at a UT System institution or any other institution of higher education that you have attended.
NOTE: Disclosure of this information does not automatically disqualify you from the Archer Fellowship Program; however, nondisclosure of this information is considered a falsification of your application.
If you have nothing to disclose, you must indicate this on the online application. More information regarding the disclosure statement can be found on the online application.
All application materials must be submitted in PDF format.
