2026–2027 New Mexico Fellowship – Institute for Policy Studies

The Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) invites applications for the 2026–2027 New Mexico Fellowship, an 18-month paid public policy fellowship designed to cultivate progressive leadership rooted in New Mexico. The fellowship combines policy research, public scholarship, and movement-based advocacy, with the goal of strengthening social justice efforts both nationally and within New Mexico.

IPS is a progressive organization dedicated to building a more equitable, ecologically sustainable, and peaceful society. Working in partnership with social movements, IPS transforms bold policy ideas into actionable strategies for systemic change.

Fellowship Duration

June 1, 2026 – December 31, 2027

Location

Washington, D.C. (June 2026 – May 2027)
New Mexico (July 2027 – December 2027)

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Fellowship Structure

The New Mexico Fellowship is structured in two phases:

Phase One: Washington, D.C. (12 months)

During the first year, the Fellow is based at the IPS Washington, D.C. office and works closely with IPS public scholars and staff. The Fellow gains hands-on experience in public scholarship, defined as the integration of policy research, writing, and grassroots activism.

Fellows are typically paired with one to two IPS projects for two six-month segments. Assignments are tailored to the Fellow’s interests, skills, and long-term goals, allowing them to become a contributing member of each project’s team.

In addition to project-based work, Fellows engage with IPS development and communications teams to gain exposure to nonprofit fundraising, strategic messaging, and organizational operations.

The fellowship begins alongside the Henry A. Wallace Fellowship Program, a leadership development cohort that includes more than twelve workshops focused on progressive policy frameworks, research, writing, and movement strategy.

Work at IPS is hybrid, with a combination of in-office and remote work.

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Phase Two: New Mexico Placement (6 months)

Following the Washington, D.C. placement, the Fellow returns to New Mexico for a six-month paid placement at a nonprofit or social change organization. The placement is selected in collaboration with the Fellow and an advisory board that includes former New Mexico Fellows.

This phase is designed to ensure that skills gained at IPS directly support public scholarship, advocacy, and movement-building efforts in New Mexico.

Past placement organizations have included policy institutes, legal advocacy groups, education-focused nonprofits, and environmental justice organizations.

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Potential Areas of Work

Fellows may work with IPS programs such as:

• Global Economy Program: Supports economic justice movements by providing research and communications that challenge extreme economic and racial inequality, corporate concentration, and Wall Street power.

• Project on Trade and Mining: Partners with grassroots organizations to advance alternative trade and investment policies and to support resistance to harmful extractive industry practices, particularly in Latin America.

• Climate Policy Program: Focuses on transitioning from a fossil fuel–dependent economy to a just, regenerative economic system through research, policy development, and strategic dialogue.

• National Priorities Project: Analyzes federal spending priorities to advocate for reduced militarization and increased investment in peace, shared prosperity, and economic security.

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Eligibility and Qualifications

Applicants must be residents of New Mexico and fall into one of the following categories:

• Recent college graduates (BA or MA) seeking mentorship and experience in public policy and advocacy

• Members of activist or community-based organizations for whom training in public scholarship would strengthen their work

The ideal candidate demonstrates:

• Strong commitment to social, economic, racial, gender, and climate justice

• Interest in building analysis across multiple issue areas

• Strong writing, reading, and critical thinking skills

• Ability to balance detailed research work with fast-paced campaign environments

• Initiative, problem-solving ability, and willingness to define personal learning goals

• Capacity to work independently and collaboratively

• Desire to build relationships within a learning-oriented organizational community

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Compensation and Benefits

• Full-time fellowship position

• Annual compensation of $57,000 during the IPS portion of the fellowship

• Compensation of $25,000 for the six-month New Mexico placement

• Three weeks of paid vacation and twelve days of sick leave

• Full medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage

• Travel expenses covered for relocation to and from Washington, D.C. and New Mexico

• Access to professional development, networking opportunities, and staff-wide activities

The fellowship position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement with the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

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Application Process

Applications are due by Friday, March 6, 2026.
Interviews will be conducted on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Applicants must submit a single PDF containing:

• A cover letter addressing interest in IPS issue areas, relevant experience, movement involvement, and learning goals

• A resume

• A two- to four-page writing sample

• Contact information for three professional or academic references

Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

APPLY HERE

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Commitment to Equity

The Institute for Policy Studies values diversity across race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, and lived experience. Applications are strongly encouraged from individuals from communities that have historically faced discrimination and exclusion in policy and advocacy spaces.

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