The Bush Fellowship is an annual leadership development program run by the Bush Foundation. Each Fellow designs a plan to build their capacity to lead equitable, large-scale change in the region; up to 30 are selected each year.
Applicants may come from any sector. A Fellowship lasts up to two years and opens with a required in-person retreat. Applications for the 2027 cohort closed on October 6, 2026; the next round is expected around September 2027.
Benefits & funding
- Up to $150,000 per Fellow for a self-designed leadership plan, used over up to two years.
- Funds cannot be transferred, fund a business or program, repay debt, or pay for lobbying, political contributions or campaigns.
- Covered government and elected officials may use the Fellowship only for a degree-granting program.
Eligibility
- At least 24 years old by the application deadline.
- Resident of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or one of the 23 Native nations sharing that geography, living there continuously for at least one year before applying; no citizenship requirement.
- Past recipients of a Bush Fellowship, Bush Artist, Leadership or Medical Fellowship, or Enduring Vision Award cannot apply.
- Family members of current Bush Foundation staff or board, as the Foundation defines them, cannot apply.
- Open to any sector and education level.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
USA
Age requirement
≥ 24 yrs
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Application process
- 1Write six responses (the first may be a two-minute audio or video) and add a résumé and legal-history disclosures.
- 2Name two primary references (one who led you, one you led, at least one living in the region) and one alternate.
- 3Submit a new online application each year by the deadline (noon CT, October 6, 2026 for the 2027 cohort).
- 4Semifinalists go through references; finalists face background checks and an in-person panel interview.
Program timeline
October 6, 2026, noon CT
2027 applications closed
Semifinalists notified
December 1–4, 2026
Finalists notified
March 10–15, 2027
Required retreat
May 19–21, 2027
June 2027
2027 Fellows announced