Pennsylvania fellowship programs aim to fill STEM-related state government roles

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration on Monday announced the state’s 2025 cohort of fellows, 13 individuals who will be matched with state agencies to work on science, technology and policy-related projects.

Each fellow will take part in one of two programs: the Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship or the William & Hannah Penn Fellowship. The programs are designed to strengthen policymaking and bring cutting-edge research and innovation to the commonwealth government. Fellows with master’s, doctorates or other advanced degrees will be matched with agencies where they have a potential pathway to a career in state government.

The Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship is a one-year program in which fellows are matched with agencies to work on projects based on specific fields of study. They’ll work at the the Departments of Community & Economic Development, Conservation & Natural Resources, Environmental Protection, Health and Transportation. They will work on projects focused on improving data insights, visualization and decision-making, along with modernizing technology to improve program management and efficiency. 

The William & Hannah Penn Fellowship is a two-year program that partners participants with the state’s top executive leaders within state agencies, where they will work on a variety of policy projects. This year’s cohort will serve in the Departments of Agriculture, Community & Economic Development, Environmental Protection, General Services, Health, Military and Veteran Affairs, Revenue, and the Commission on Crime and Delinquency. Fellows will focus on policy topics that include artificial intelligence, gun violence, surplus property, land use and zoning, and regulations for medical facilities.

In a news release, the Shapiro administration said these programs are just part of the governor’s effort to attract and retain talent in Pennsylvania’s state government. Last May, Shapiro signed the Hire, Improve, Recruit, Empower, or HIRE, executive order, which aims to strengthen the workforce across state agencies through strategic initiatives that include expanding internship, apprenticeship and fellowship opportunities.

The administration has rolled out other efforts to improve its talent pipeline. In July, Pennsylvania announced it had reduced the average time to fill a vacant position from 90 day to 54 days, partially by using generative artificial intelligence. The technology helped the state’s Office of Administration evaluate more than 3,600 open positions’ descriptions and job classifications for accuracy, and the state is currently exploring other ways to use the tech in the hiring process.

“The Commonwealth’s fellowships bring some of the best and brightest minds to state government to help us address real-world challenges that affect people and communities across Pennsylvania. This is hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves work that will make a real difference,” Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver said in the news release. “We look forward to seeing what they accomplish during their time with the Commonwealth.”