Newpoint Viewpoint: White House Fellowships 2026-27

Once again, we invite Newpoint’s clients and friends to nominate an emerging leader with “a record of remarkable professional achievement, evidence of leadership skills, and a demonstrated commitment to public service” for a Presidential appointment as a White House Fellow. This non-partisan program selects a dozen or so exceptional leaders, most in their 30’s, for a one-year term as a full-time, paid special assistant to a cabinet secretary, senior White House advisor, or other policy official. Applications are due January 3, 2026.

You need not hesitate to put forward your most promising individuals! Virtually all my classmates returned to the organizations they served before the Fellowship. President Johnson supported this objective from the beginning, urging his Fellows to “complete your mission by continuing to work as private citizens.” George W. Bush was more direct, “We expect you to go back…. and leave! Set high standards to set a good example and to serve something greater than yourself.”

After completing my own Fellowship I returned directly to my firm and applied the experience to benefit our clients and community. More than a quarter-century later, I still apply the learning from that experience as we advise Newpoint’s healthcare clients.

Pending activation of the online application by the White House, we recommend that you review the resources summarized below – including selection criteria, sample questions, an overview of the intensive interview process, and a brief video describing the program. The foundation advises that developing your application may take 25 hours or more, so it recommends getting a strong head start on the January 3 deadline for the Fellowship year that starts in August.

I invite you or your nominees to call me directly with questions about the program or my experience as a Fellow. Please help us encourage the next generation of leaders to step forward with a commitment to the common good.

And that’s our Viewpoint.

Joe Lupica, Chair|Managing Principal

Selection is based on a combination of these core criteria

• A record of remarkable professional achievement early in one’s career.
• Evidence of leadership skills and the potential for further growth.
• A demonstrated commitment to public service.
• The skills to succeed at the highest levels of the Federal government, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

The White House Fellows Foundation notes that the selection process is “very competitive.” Former Fellows screen the applications to identify the most promising candidates and, in consultation with the staff of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships, select approximately 100 of the most qualified applicants as Regional Finalists, who are then interviewed by eight to ten Regional Panels across the country.

This highly competitive selection process calls for a well-prepared, thorough and pointedly clear application to reach the regional stage. The candidate must request recommendations from carefully selected references with the normal courtesy of advanced notice. The President’s Commission estimates that developing a clear, comprehensive, and competitive application backed by solid recommendations will take at least 25 hours, and so encourages candidates to start the process as soon as possible.