Civic Future Fellowship
The limits of the possible are too often defined by the edges of conventional wisdom. This is the case in British public life, where short-term gains eclipse long-term vision.
Part of the solution is encouraging highly talented people to enter into public life.
We are looking for exceptional people with less than a decade of career experience who want to transform systems of governance and drive Britain towards prosperity and abundance.
Applications are open now and close at 10pm on Sunday 16 March 2025.
The Programme
We need bold, highly talented people to be the next generation of MPs, advisers, civil servants, commentators, or something else entirely.
The Fellowship programme is aimed at those with less than 10 years of career experience. It is a unique year-long programme designed to fit around the demands of a full-time job.
Across the year, Fellows will:
- Meet once a week in central London for high-level evening sessions with subject area experts: philosophers, technologists, economists, former diplomats, politicians, and policymakers
- Join two weekend retreats, focusing on cutting edge governance challenges and leadership skills
- Take part in a week-long international field visit in April 2026 to broaden their perspective on leadership, governance, and global political challenges
Fellows will gain fresh insight into how our system works – and doesn’t. We will answer questions like:
- How do we build more housing and infrastructure?
- Why can’t we control immigration?
- How can we significantly increase economic growth?
- Why is liberalism such a contested idea in the modern world?
- What are the major threats to British security and influence abroad?
This is a chance to gain the skills and knowledge needed to prepare you for public life, build a network of like-minded individuals, and make clear decisions about your future career.
Learn More
“The Civic Future Fellowship has been, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most formative and valuable experiences of my life.” Former Civic Future Fellow
Who are we looking for?
Applications to the Fellowship programme are very competitive. Our ideal Fellow has less than a decade of career experience.
Previous participants have included software engineers, lawyers, think tank researchers, teachers, and physicists. We’re looking for talent and aptitude, not a specific CV. Applications close Sunday 16 March.
If you are interested but are later in your career the Public Leadership Programme may be better for you.
Don’t be deterred by thinking you’ll be different – or see the world differently – from other applicants (or those currently in politics).
If you’re a highly driven individual who desires to break Britain out of stagnation, then apply. It is easy to do so and the potential upside for you – and the country – is very high.
We can also arrange full-time, paid, London-based professional work placements in relevant organisations for a select number of applicants.
Programme Overview
What does the Fellowship involve?
The Fellowship is provided at no cost to participating Fellows. Fellows receive a small stipend to cover study costs.
Fellows’ total time commitment is 45 hours over the year plus two weekends and a week-long overseas trip.
- Three ten-week terms, running from September 2025 to June 2026
- The programme is designed to accommodate people in full-time employment. We can also arrange full-time, paid, London-based professional work placements in relevant organisations for a select number of applicants
- Terms will feature one 90-minute evening session each week, on a weekday evening
- Sessions will be led by subject area experts; each term a couple of sessions are held over dinner
- There will be around 20-50 pages of reading set for each week
- Two residential across the year
- A week-long overseas visit in April 2026