Are you interested in K-20 Education Policy? Do you work to grow and/or sustain public education at the school, district, community, county, postsecondary, state, or national level and work for a school district, a nonprofit, intermediary, university, government, or philanthropy? Then, our Education Policy Fellowship Program™ (EPFP) opportunity is for you!
We are excited that you are interested in the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP), IEL’s 60+ year-old program designed to build policy, advocacy, and coalition-building capacities to drive educational change.
About EPFP:
This 8-week online program will equip you with the skills necessary to:
- create systemic change in your community
- engage in root cause analysis to determine policy solutions, and
- understand how to develop a dynamic advocacy plan.
The program consists of:
- 8 asynchronous modules
- 4 synchronous sessions
- 1 Washington Policy Seminar (Capstone event of Federal Policy)
- 1 policy strategy project
Applications now open for EPFP: Community Schools Cohort 2026!
Save the Date: June 15th, 2026 – EPFP: CS info session
Applications close: July 10, 2026
Full payment due: July 31st, 2026
Schedule
- Orientation: July 28th, 2026
- August 3 to August 14 (weeks 1 and 2): On-Demand Sessions: Everyone: An Advocate Modules with Online Discussions (note: these sessions are go at your own pace)
- August 18 from 7-8:00 pm EDT (week 3): Virtual Synchronous Session: Identifying Policy Goals and Developing Strategies
- August 25 from 7-8:00 pm EDT (week 4): Virtual Synchronous Session: Developing the 4 Ps of Policy Advocacy
- August 31 to September 11 (weeks 5 and 6): Virtual Peer-Learning Sessions: Vetting and Refining Your Policy Strategy
- September 15: Hybrid Washington Policy Seminar (virtual option available for those unable to travel to D.C.)
- September 16: Hill Day (virtual option available for those unable to travel to D.C.)
- September 22 from 7-8:00 pm (week 8): Virtual Synchronous Session: Putting it All Together: Everyone: An Advocate Reflections
Admissions will be made on a rolling basis, and applicants will be evaluated on their ability to articulate their goals for participating in the modules, how they can contribute to the peer learning to take place in the cohort, and how they hope to support, sustain, and advance their policy goals in their home state.
To obtain a certificate of completion:
- all participants will be expected to complete all on-demand modules;
- participate in the online discussions;
- attend all synchronous learning modules;
- complete any and all reading or assignments related to the module content;
- participate in the Washington Policy Seminar;
- and honor IEL’s Gracious Space Learning Norms (more details will be provided during the first module).
Additionally, all the EPFP modules and content are owned by IEL and may not be shared with those who have not been accepted in a cohort.
Cost
The cost of the Fellowship is $749. Payment will be made via Stripe once applicants are notified of their acceptance into their program. Payments are due before the start of the first session, and may be made in one full payment or two payments. All participants must be paid in full to be able to participate in the program. Travel and accommodations for the hybrid WPS and Hill Day are not included in the tuition price.
Education Policy Fellowship Program™ (EPFP) is IEL’s long-standing nationally-recognized program, designed to activate leaders for equity, and develop a diverse and collaborative community of strategic leaders for effective public policy. With over 10,000 alumni from across the country, EPFP’s mission is to engage a diverse and collaborative community of strategic leaders to promote equitable education policy. Our alumni are leaders across PreK-higher education pathway and complementary sectors.
We are excited that you are interested in Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP), IEL’s 60+ year old program designed to build policy, advocacy, and coalition-building capacities to drive educational change. To apply, click here.
The 3 Pillars:
Now in its 61st year, the program content explores three core elements of professional development – policy, leadership, and networking – which are built on a foundation of equity.
Fellows are provided a unique professional development laboratory in which Fellows come to understand, strengthen, and apply fellowship-acquired knowledge and skills to prepare and make a significant policy change within or areas adjacent to P-20 education.
Learn more:
The Education Policy Fellowship Program™ (EPFP) has evolved over time since its creation in 1964 with funding from the Ford Foundation. The program began as a response to the explosive growth of the federal government’s role in education as a result of the enactment of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and related legislation. The transformed role of the federal government generated a need for education professionals in the states who understood the content of legislation, the policy process, and the complex changes that state systems were undergoing as a result.
EPFP alumni
There are over 12,000 alumni across 50 states! The Education Policy Fellowship Program™ is pleased to offer continuous learning and professional development opportunities to alumni and partners. Click here to learn more about our Spring ’26 alumni and here for our Fall ’25 alumni!
Washington Policy Seminar (WPS)
The Washington Policy Seminar (WPS) is the capstone event of the IEL’s Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP), the Fellows’ front row seat to inside the beltway look at federal education policy and national landscape. The 2026 year marked our 62nd annual WPS!
Learn more about WPS below:
EPFP Impact
Evidence from national assessments confirms that EPFP Fellows become informed and skilled leaders and a part of a network that provides long-term benefits to their careers.
