The OES Evaluation Fellowship 2026 offers a unique chance for researchers and policy experts to directly influence government programs. This one-year, fully remote fellowship places participants at the heart of federal agencies, allowing them to design and conduct evaluations that can improve services for millions of Americans. It’s an opportunity to bridge the gap between academic rigor and real-world policy impact.
What is the OES Evaluation Fellowship?
The Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES), part of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), runs the OES Evaluation Fellowship. This program is designed for individuals with backgrounds in research, evaluation, academia, nonprofit work, or government. The fellowship aims to help federal agencies use evidence to make their programs more effective, efficient, and accountable. Fellows work on pressing policy challenges, applying social science methods to improve public services.
Who is the OES Evaluation Fellowship For?
This fellowship is ideal for professionals who want to see their research translate into tangible policy changes. It’s open to:
- Researchers: Those with a strong foundation in social sciences, statistics, or data analysis.
- Policy Experts: Individuals who understand the complexities of government programs and policy development.
- Evaluators: Professionals skilled in designing and conducting rigorous program evaluations.
- Academics: University faculty or researchers looking to apply their expertise in a practical government setting.
- Nonprofit Professionals: Individuals from non-governmental organizations who want to contribute to public service.
- Government Experts: Current federal employees seeking to deepen their evaluation and evidence-building skills.
The OES brings together experts from fields like economics, psychology, behavioral science, public policy, statistics, data science, evaluation research, and sociology.
What Do Fellows Do?
Fellows, serving as Evaluators, work directly with federal agencies on critical policy questions. Their responsibilities include:
Designing Impact Evaluations
Fellows develop frameworks to determine if government programs are achieving their intended results. This involves defining research questions, choosing evaluation methods, creating measurement systems, and establishing strategies for causal inference.
Implementing Evidence-Based Interventions
Participants help agencies test and put into practice new approaches designed to improve outcomes. Examples include efforts to increase program participation, enhance service delivery, boost efficiency, or better support vulnerable populations.
Data Analysis
Using large datasets, fellows measure program effectiveness, identify areas for policy improvement, and generate insights to guide decision-making. This analytical work is central to understanding what works and why.
Policy Collaboration
Fellows collaborate closely with federal agency leaders, program managers, policymakers, and other researchers. This direct engagement ensures that research findings are understood and can be acted upon.
Publications and Knowledge Sharing
Contributions may include academic publications, policy reports, evaluation summaries, and guidance documents. Sharing findings helps build a broader base of knowledge for evidence-based governance.
The Impact of OES Projects
The OES has a proven track record of partnering with federal agencies to address significant challenges. Their work has focused on:
- Government Efficiency: Helping agencies deliver better services while using public resources wisely.
- Improper Payment Reduction: Developing methods to reduce errors and improve accountability in government spending.
- Veteran Support: Conducting research to improve services and outcomes for veterans.
- Public Program Improvement: Using evidence to help agencies redesign and strengthen programs for greater impact.
- International and Domestic Policy: Applying behavioral science and evaluation methods to complex issues.
Fellowship Structure and Benefits
The fellowship is typically one year long, starting in Fall 2026, with potential for extension. All positions are fully remote and location-flexible within the United States.
Structure Options
- For Academic and Nonprofit Professionals: Participants can join through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program, remaining affiliated with their home institution while on loan to OES.
- For Federal Employees: Federal workers can join through temporary detail assignments, Inter-Agency Agreements (IAA), or rotational opportunities.
Key Benefits
- Professional Development: Gain hands-on experience in federal policymaking, learn
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OES Evaluation Fellowship?
The OES Evaluation Fellowship is a one-year program run by the Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES) that places researchers and policy experts within federal agencies to improve government programs through evaluation and evidence-based practices.
Who is eligible for the fellowship?
The fellowship is open to researchers, policy experts, evaluators, academics, nonprofit professionals, and government experts with backgrounds in social sciences, statistics, data analysis, or policy development.
What do fellows do during the fellowship?
Fellows design impact evaluations, implement evidence-based interventions, analyze data to measure program effectiveness, collaborate with agency leaders, and contribute to publications.
Is the fellowship remote or in-person?
The fellowship is fully remote and location-flexible within the United States, typically lasting one year and starting in Fall 2026.
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