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https://www.pmf.gov/academia/overview/

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An Official Web Site of the United States Government

Academia

Overview

Brief Description of the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program

The mission of the PMF Program is to recruit and develop tomorrow’s Federal Government leaders from all segments of society. Since 1977, the program has delivered on that mission by matching outstanding graduate students with exciting Federal opportunities.

The PMF Program is a great leadership training ground, whether graduate students want a career in public service or elsewhere. Based on current PMF Program regulations and policies, eligible individuals apply and participate in a rigorous application and assessment process, which typically opens annually in the fall. Additional details on the application and assessment process can be found under Become a PMF. Those ultimately selected as Finalists seek appointments as PMFs (Fellows). PMFs perform valuable service to the American people while jump-starting their careers, and receive full salary and benefits as well as challenging assignments, formal training and development, rotations to other parts of government, feedback on their work, and an opportunity to make government run more efficiently. The two-year fellowship is a full-time, paid appointment at a Federal agency.

The two-year fellowship includes:

  • Challenging work assignments that have a broad impact on the American public
  • Full-time salary and benefits paid by the appointing agency – Initial appointment at the GS-9, GS-11, or GS-12 levels (or equivalent)
  • Individual Development Plan that puts Fellows on leadership trajectory
  • 160 hours (i.e., 80 hours/year) of formal, interactive training on functional/technical and leadership competencies, including the PMF Leadership Development Program
  • At least one 4-6 month developmental assignment, and optional short-term rotations
  • A senior-level mentor to assist the Fellow with their journey/career path
  • Upon completion, potential conversion to a permanent or term position
  • The prestige that goes with being a Fellow, which will follow throughout their career

Additional details can be found under The Opportunity.

What's New for 2023?

Below is a summary of the changes effective with the PMF Class of 2023 Application. Additional details can be found under 2023 Application.

  • Updated Application and Assessment Process: Changes are made to the application and assessment process periodically to more efficiently and effectively achieve the program goal of recruiting and identifying a qualified, diverse group of applicants who will become Finalists and Fellows. At a high level, these changes are outlined below.
    • The assessment process will consist of three distinct parts: (1) Fellows Behavioral Assessment Tool (FBAT), (2) Fellows Situational Assessment Tool (FSAT), and (3) Fellows Structured Interview (FSI).
    • The assessment process will be carried out in two stages: (1) the Online Assessment stage (which includes the FBAT and FSAT), and (2) the Semi-Finalist stage (which includes the FSI). Those applicants who are found eligible, submitted complete applications, and scored well may be selected as Semi-Finalists and invited to participate in the FSI.
    • The competencies on which applicants will be evaluated consist of: Attention to Detail, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Oral Communication, Reasoning, Self-Management, and Supporting Diversity.
    • Finalists will be selected from Semi-Finalists based on assessment results and the total number of Finalists authorized.
  • Application Criteria: We have added new degrees, additional skills, and Swahili to languages effective with the 2023 application. To see a full list, please refer to the Application Criteria
  • PMF Subscriber Lists: The PMF Program has launched “Subscriber Lists” for individuals who would like to stay informed on the PMF Program. To learn more and to sign up, visit the Apply Site.

Visit the next section to view information on Advising Students.

UPDATED: 10-07-2022