Apply to PIF
Thanks for your interest in becoming a Presidential Innovation Fellow (PIF)! Applications are currently closed, but we recruit annually and will be opening applications for the 2026 cohort in late summer 2025.
Selection Timeline and Process
Here is a tentative timeline so you can know what to expect.
Be sure to apply before the application deadline! Late applications will not be accepted. All applications submitted before the application deadline will be considered equally.
Qualification
Once the application window closes, our multi-hurdle qualification process will begin. Only candidates who move through all hurdles and are deemed qualified will be considered for conversations with agency partners.
Resume review
The first hurdle of qualification is the GSA HR team conducting eligibility and resume review. Please review the specialized experience and IT competencies listed on the now-closed job posting. Candidates who make it past initial review will move on to the written assessment stage of qualification.
Written assessment
All candidates who meet initial qualification will receive one week to complete a written assessment consisting of scored and unscored questions. Submissions will be reviewed and scored by subject matter experts.
PIF interviews
As the final hurdle in our qualification process, candidates who score highly on the written assessment will advance to PIF interviews which include questions regarding skills (your self-identified area of expertise), core competencies (behavioral questions, leadership, and/or navigating ambiguity), and core values (including diversity, equity, and inclusion). The PIF team will provide questions in advance of interviews to allow candidates time to prepare.
All interviews occur virtually and are typically scheduled for 1 hour. We offer live captioning and other accessibility assistance to all candidates upon request.
Accessibility: If you are selected to interview, a member of our Talent Team will be in touch to ensure any accessibility considerations are covered. We typically conduct interviews as video calls, however, we realize that this option may not accommodate everyone’s needs. Throughout the hiring process, please don’t hesitate to let us know if you have a preferred method of communication and we will work with you to create a positive experience. If you require accommodations, please contact us directly at pif-application@gsa.gov at least 24-48 hours in advance of your scheduled interview.
Once interviews are completed, our HR team will review all qualification scores and issue a certificate of qualified candidates who can be considered for agency projects.
Only qualified candidates (see above) may have an opportunity to speak with PIF host agencies and project teams based on mutual interest and alignment of skill sets. Candidates at this stage will receive additional information about specific agency projects. Please note: NOT all qualified candidates will receive the opportunity to speak with agencies due to volume and skill alignment.
Upon consultation with host agencies, we will finalize agency placements and offers. As PIF operates within the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the GSA HR team will make tentative offers to selected candidates. Tentative offers are contingent on passing a background check.
The PIF team will also set up calls with each incoming PIF to welcome them into our program and community, and answer any questions!
Once you accept your tentative offer, you will receive an email from the HR onboarding system. You will need to login and accept your tentative offer. You will be asked to complete a series of forms and receive a USAaccess email requesting you to schedule a time to provide your fingerprints for your security clearance and complete a security questionnaire.
Once security has been initially cleared, a GSA HR specialist will call you with a final offer. At this stage, GSA HR and the PIF team will confirm your start date.
Note: We do not recommend you give notice or resign from your current employer (if applicable) until you receive your final offer with a confirmed start date from HR.
We are targeting a June 2025 start for Fellows. The exact start date will be announced during the selection process.
PIF augments GSA onboarding with PIF-specific programming during the first week of employment, followed by each PIF onboarding at their respective agencies.
Public service has always been a dream of mine. Seeing the team that the President assembled and the Administration’s mandate for racial justice and equity inspired me to apply to join the PIF program.