The Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES), housed within the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), is now accepting applications for its highly competitive OES Evaluation Fellowship 2026. This prestigious one-year fellowship offers researchers, evaluators, academics, nonprofit professionals, and government experts a unique opportunity to work directly on some of the most important policy challenges facing the United States.
Beginning in Fall 2026, selected fellows will join a team of interdisciplinary experts dedicated to helping federal agencies build and use evidence to improve government programs, increase efficiency, strengthen accountability, and deliver better outcomes for millions of people.
Unlike traditional academic fellowships, the OES Evaluation Fellowship places participants at the center of real-world policymaking, where they design and implement large-scale evaluations, collaborate with senior government leaders, and apply cutting-edge social science methods to improve public services.
Application Deadline: June 24, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
About the Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES)
The Office of Evaluation Sciences is a specialized team within the U.S. General Services Administration that partners with federal agencies to generate actionable evidence and improve government performance.
OES helps agencies answer critical questions such as:
- Which government programs are most effective?
- How can services be improved for citizens?
- What interventions produce measurable outcomes?
- How can public resources be used more efficiently?
- What evidence should guide future policy decisions?
The organization brings together experts from a variety of disciplines, including:
- Economics
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Public Policy
- Statistics
- Data Science
- Evaluation Research
- Sociology
Through rigorous scientific methods and evidence-based approaches, OES supports government agencies in making better-informed decisions that positively impact millions of Americans.
Why the OES Evaluation Fellowship Stands Out
The OES Fellowship is unlike many traditional research fellowships because fellows work directly on real government challenges while applying rigorous scientific evaluation methods.
Since its establishment, OES has:
- Completed more than 130 government collaborations.
- Conducted over 100 impact evaluations.
- Worked with dozens of federal agencies.
- Influenced policies affecting millions of people.
- Developed innovative approaches to evidence-based governance.
The fellowship combines the intellectual rigor of academic research with the practical impact of public service.
Fellowship Overview
Selected fellows will join OES as Evaluators and collaborate with federal agencies to improve programs through evidence generation and policy evaluation.
The fellowship will begin in Fall 2026 and generally lasts one year, although candidates interested in serving longer may have opportunities to continue their work.
Importantly, all fellowship positions are:
- Fully remote
- Location-flexible within the United States
- Embedded in high-impact federal projects
- Focused on evidence generation and policy improvement
This arrangement allows fellows to contribute meaningfully while maintaining flexibility in where they work.
What Fellows Will Do
Fellows serve as Evaluators and work directly with government agencies to address important policy questions.
Key responsibilities may include:
- Designing Impact Evaluations
Fellows develop rigorous evaluation frameworks that help determine whether government programs are achieving intended outcomes.
Activities include:
- Developing research questions
- Designing evaluation methodologies
- Building measurement frameworks
- Establishing causal inference strategies
- Implementing Evidence-Based Interventions
Participants help agencies test and implement interventions designed to improve outcomes.
Examples include:
- Increasing participation in government programs
- Improving service delivery
- Enhancing program efficiency
- Supporting vulnerable populations
- Data Analysis
Fellows use large-scale administrative datasets to:
- Measure program effectiveness
- Identify policy improvements
- Generate actionable insights
- Inform decision-making
- Policy Collaboration
Participants work closely with:
- Federal agency leaders
- Program managers
- Policymakers
- Researchers
- Behavioral scientists
This direct engagement ensures that evidence is translated into practical action.
- Publications and Knowledge Sharing
Fellows contribute to:
- Academic publications
- Policy reports
- Evaluation summaries
- Government guidance documents
- Evidence-building resources
Real-World Impact of OES Projects
The Office of Evaluation Sciences has partnered with agencies across the federal government to tackle major challenges such as:
Government Efficiency
Projects focus on helping agencies deliver better services while maximizing public resources.
Improper Payment Reduction
OES works to identify methods that reduce errors and improve accountability in government spending.
Veteran Support
Research collaborations help improve services and outcomes for veterans.
Public Program Improvement
Evidence generated through OES collaborations helps agencies redesign and strengthen programs for greater impact.
International and Domestic Policy Challenges
OES applies behavioral science and rigorous evaluation methods to address complex issues both in the United States and abroad.
Fellowship Structure
For Academic and Nonprofit Professionals
Individuals from universities, research institutions, nonprofits, and government organizations may participate through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program.
Under this model:
- Fellows remain affiliated with their home institution.
- Participants join OES on loan.
- Appointments may be reimbursable or non-reimbursable.
Previous fellows have come from institutions such as:
- Harvard University
- Reed College
- Miami University
- University of California San Diego
For Federal Employees
Federal employees may join through:
- Temporary detail assignments
- Inter-Agency Agreements (IAA)
- Rotational opportunities
- Presidential Management Fellow rotations
Previous participants have joined from agencies including:
- U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Forest Service
- National Science Foundation
- U.S. Department of the Treasury
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
Benefits of the OES Evaluation Fellowship
Successful fellows will gain access to numerous professional benefits, including:
Professional Development
- Hands-on experience with federal policymaking
- Exposure to large-scale impact evaluations
- Advanced evidence-building expertise
- Opportunities to shape national policies
Research Opportunities
- Conduct rigorous evaluations
- Work with large administrative datasets
- Publish research findings
- Apply leading social science methods
Networking and Collaboration
- Collaborate with senior government leaders
- Work alongside interdisciplinary experts
- Engage with federal agencies across government
- Build a national professional network
Career Advancement
The fellowship provides a highly respected credential for careers in:
- Public policy
- Government leadership
- Academia
- Evaluation research
- Behavioral science
- Data science
- International development
- Program management
Why Researchers Should Consider This Fellowship
The OES Evaluation Fellowship offers a rare combination of:
- Academic rigor
- Policy influence
- National-scale impact
- Professional flexibility
- Cross-sector collaboration
Few fellowships provide the opportunity to directly influence federal programs while simultaneously advancing research and evidence generation.
Participants gain experience that is highly valued across government, academia, think tanks, foundations, and nonprofit organizations.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit their applications through the official OES application portal.
The application process includes:
- Completing the online application form.
- Submitting required supporting materials.
- Providing a writing sample.
- Demonstrating qualifications and relevant experience.
Applicants unable to access the online form may request a PDF application by contacting OES directly via email.
Application Deadline
Deadline: June 24, 2026
Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
Late applications will not be considered.
Final Thoughts
The OES Evaluation Fellowship 2026 presents an exceptional opportunity for researchers, evaluators, academics, nonprofit professionals, and government experts who want to use evidence to improve public policy and government effectiveness.
By joining the Office of Evaluation Sciences, fellows gain unparalleled access to federal decision-making processes, contribute to high-impact evaluations affecting millions of people, and help shape the future of evidence-based governance in the United States.
For professionals seeking a fellowship that combines research excellence, public service, and measurable societal impact, the OES Evaluation Fellowship stands among the most influential opportunities available in 2026.
Learn More
- For more information about this opportunity, Click here
- More global Fellowship opportunities for youth, visit the OFY website: Click here
