Home Programs Apply Leadership Apply Now
Programs & Fellowships

Programs & Fellowships

Everything Polaris offers – from first-year foundations to selective fellowship tracks.

Programs
Fellowships
First Year

Discovery Program

Semester-long professionalization cohort – the skills, network, and campus footing you need to compete in public service careers.

Apply via Google Form →

What You'll Develop

  • Professionalization bootcamp: resume, LinkedIn, and networking etiquette
  • Introduction to the DC career landscape and key institutions
  • 1-on-1 mentorship with an executive board member
  • Campus org and honors program placement guidance

Eligibility

  • UGA First-Year student
  • Enrolled in SPIA, Grady, Terry, or Franklin College
  • Genuine interest in public service careers
32
Max Cohort
2×/wk
Meetings
1 Semester
Duration
Aug & Jan
Recruitment
Recruitment Opens

Late August · Fall Cohort

January · Spring Cohort

Second Year

Catalyst Program

Year-long career acceleration cohort – DC and Atlanta office exposure, career niche development, and competitive opportunity prep before junior year.

Apply via Google Form →

What You'll Develop

  • DC and Atlanta office and firm exposure through curated visits
  • Career niche development and professional specialization
  • Competitive internship and fellowship application support
  • 1-on-1 mentorship with a mentor aligned to your career track

Eligibility

  • UGA Sophomore student
  • Enrolled in SPIA, Grady, Terry, or Franklin College
  • Prior involvement in public service or campus leadership preferred
30–40
Max Cohort
1–2×/wk
Meetings
Full Year
Duration
Late Aug
Recruitment
Recruitment Opens

Late August · Annual Cohort

Fellowship · 2nd or 3rd Year

Foreign Policy & Security Fellowship

Selective cohort for students pursuing careers in diplomacy, international security, and foreign affairs – built around rigorous analytical writing and policy fluency.

Apply via Google Form →

Skills & Training

  • Foreign policy analysis and geopolitical research methods
  • Briefing memo and intelligence summary writing
  • Area studies and language preparation strategy
  • Foreign Service and think tank application coaching

Career Focus

Diplomacy Foreign Service International Security State Department Think Tanks

Eligibility

  • 2nd or 3rd year UGA student
  • Enrolled in SPIA, Grady, Terry, or Franklin College
  • Demonstrated interest in international affairs or security
4–8
Fellows Selected
Selective
Admissions
2nd–3rd Yr
Eligibility
October
Recruitment
Recruitment Opens

October · Fall Recruitment Cycle

Fellowship · 2nd or 3rd Year

Legislative Policy Fellowship

Rigorous preparation for Capitol Hill careers – from policy memo writing and legislative research to the procedural mechanics of Congress.

Apply via Google Form →

Skills & Training

  • Congressional policy memo writing and legislative research
  • Constituent communication and correspondence drafting
  • Markup and floor procedure fluency
  • Hill internship and staffing application support

Career Focus

Capitol Hill Congressional Staffing Policy Advocacy Legislative Affairs

Eligibility

  • 2nd or 3rd year UGA student
  • Enrolled in SPIA, Grady, Terry, or Franklin College
  • Demonstrated interest in policy or government service
4–8
Fellows Selected
Selective
Admissions
2nd–3rd Yr
Eligibility
October
Recruitment
Recruitment Opens

October · Fall Recruitment Cycle

Fellowship · 2nd or 3rd Year

Intelligence & Criminal Justice Fellowship

Structured preparation for careers in the intelligence community and national security – analytical rigor, OSINT methodology, and clearance readiness.

Apply via Google Form →

Skills & Training

  • OSINT methodology and open-source research tradecraft
  • Analytical writing and structured argumentation
  • Security clearance preparation and background review
  • Case analysis and evidence-based reasoning

Career Focus

Intelligence Community National Security Federal Investigations DHS / FBI / CIA

Eligibility

  • 2nd or 3rd year UGA student
  • Enrolled in SPIA, Grady, Terry, or Franklin College
  • Demonstrated interest in intelligence or criminal justice
4–8
Fellows Selected
Selective
Admissions
2nd–3rd Yr
Eligibility
Feb
Recruitment
Recruitment Opens

Early February · Spring Recruitment Cycle

Fellowship · 2nd or 3rd Year

Gov. Public Service Consulting Fellowship

Preparation for public sector consulting and federal agency advisory roles – case frameworks, stakeholder communication, and policy memo fluency.

Apply via Google Form →

Skills & Training

  • Case interview preparation using public sector frameworks
  • Policy memo writing and executive briefing formats
  • Client and stakeholder communication strategy
  • Federal agency and public management advisory exposure

Career Focus

Federal Agencies Public Management Policy Advisory Government Consulting

Eligibility

  • 2nd or 3rd year UGA student
  • Enrolled in SPIA, Grady, Terry, or Franklin College
  • Interest in public management or policy consulting
4–8
Fellows Selected
Selective
Admissions
2nd–3rd Yr
Eligibility
Late Mar
Recruitment
Recruitment Opens

Late March · Spring Recruitment Cycle

The Right Track Starts in Fall 2026.

Applications open late August. Seats are limited by design.

Apply Now Meet the Team