Thank you for your interest in becoming an Archer Fellow. The Archer Fellowship Program offers unparalleled academic and professional experiences to University of Texas System students. To ensure your application is strong for the program, please read and follow all application guidelines below.
Candidates can access and edit their applications as often as they wish until the deadline or until their application is submitted, whichever comes first. Please see our recommended application timeline for more guidance on completing this application.
The 2026 – 2027 Archer Fellowship Program application is now open. The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST
Candidates can access and edit their applications as often as they wish until the deadline or until their application is submitted, whichever comes first. Please see our recommended application timeline for more guidance on completing this application.
The 2026 – 2027 Archer Fellowship Program application is now open. The deadline to apply is Sunday, February 15, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST
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.
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.
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 it may be 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 as well as qualities, such as responsibility, analytic ability, leadership, maturity, work ethic, commitment to public service, and your 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 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 at [email protected].
Resume
Please submit a resume in PDF format that describes your education, employment history and leadership, volunteer, and extracurricular activities. Resume must NOT be more than one page, front side only and should be reviewed by the career services office on your campus prior to submission. 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 it may be 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 as well as qualities, such as responsibility, analytic ability, leadership, maturity, work ethic, commitment to public service, and your 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 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 at [email protected].
Resume
Please submit a resume in PDF format that describes your education, employment history and leadership, volunteer, and extracurricular activities. Resume must NOT be more than one page, front side only and should be reviewed by the career services office on your campus prior to submission. We encourage you to use one of the following resume templates for your application:
Transcript
Instructions:
- Attach an unofficial transcript (or academic summary for UT Austin students) from your UT System home institution.
- Attach an official transcript from all previous colleges and universities attended.
Please note:
- If your current university transcript contains all course information from past institutions, you only need to submit your current university transcript.
- If any academic work is not included on your current transcript, you must submit an additional transcript that reflects this coursework.
- Screenshots of course records will not be accepted.
- Please submit all transcripts as a single PDF document
If you have difficulty obtaining an official transcript, please contact the Archer Center at [email protected]. If obtaining an official transcript places an undue financial burden on you, please email the Archer Center at [email protected].
Personal Statement
Write an original personal statement (maximum of 500 words) that explains why you seek to be an Archer Fellow and addresses the following prompts:
- Elaborate on your commitment to public service, policy and/or politics, including any background or training, and/or skills that have prepared you to be an 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 Archer Fellowship Program is a cohort experience where students learn from each other in addition to their coursework and internships. What qualities, experiences, and perspectives would you bring to the cohort learning environment and how do these align with the Archer Center’s mission and vision?
Policy Memo
Write a memo (maximum of 500 words) in response to the scenario below:
You work in the executive or legislative branch of the federal government. You must write a memo to leadership about an important domestic or foreign policy challenge facing our nation. In this short policy memo, please briefly describe the policy challenge, explain why it is important, identify the stakeholders, and recommend a policy solution. Your memo should be addressed from you to a specific U.S. policymaker who has the authority and capacity to address the challenge. Examples of such a policymaker include: a legislator or chief of staff in the U.S. House or Senate, a senior official in a federal executive agency, or a White House staff member.
Your essay must include supporting evidence using APA, MLA, or Chicago citation styles. Footnotes or endnotes are not included in the 500-word limit for the policy memo. You may submit extra pages to accommodate your citations. Do not include a bibliography.
Additional guidance on writing a policy memo is available below.
| Archer Fellowship Program Policy Memo Guidance |
List of Potential Internship Sites
Research and compile a list of three potential internship sites in Washington, D.C., that align with your personal and professional goals. Include a short paragraph for each internship opportunity explaining why you have chosen it and how you would benefit from interning there as an Archer Fellow. Please note that if selected as an Archer Fellow you are not required to intern at one of these three sites. The selection committee wants to understand what types of internships interest you. Please submit in PDF format.
The list of potential internship sites should not exceed 350 words.
To explore potential internship sites, please 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 falsification of your application.
If you have nothing to disclose, you must still indicate this on the Archer Fellowship Program 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 personal and professional goals. Include a short paragraph for each internship opportunity explaining why you have chosen it and how you would benefit from interning there as an Archer Fellow. Please note that if selected as an Archer Fellow you are not required to intern at one of these three sites. The selection committee wants to understand what types of internships interest you. Please submit in PDF format.
The list of potential internship sites should not exceed 350 words.
To explore potential internship sites, please 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, plea of no contest, or pronouncement of sentence by a trial court, even if that conviction may not be final or 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 falsification of your application.
If you have nothing to disclose, you must still indicate this on the Archer Fellowship Program application.
All application materials must be submitted in PDF format.
1750 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 900 | Washington, D.C. 20006
202.955.9091 (p) | 202.955.9039 (f)
202.955.9091 (p) | 202.955.9039 (f)