2012 Presidential Management Fellows Program

Since 1977 the PMF Program has matched outstanding graduate students with exciting Federal opportunities.

This rigorous, two-year paid fellowship includes challenging assignments, potential for accelerated promotions, developmental assignments, and networking opportunities. Finalists appointed as PMFs are hired by Federal Agencies and engage in solving domestic and/or international issues in areas such as public administration, engineering, technology, science, criminal justice, health, and financial management, to name a few.

The PMF Program seeks eligible graduate students every year who want to make a difference through public service. For the PMF Class of 2012, students who complete a graduate degree (master's, law, or doctoral-level degree) during the 2011-2012 academic year (September 1, 2011 - August 31, 2012) from a qualifying college or university are eligible for consideration.

The selection process for the Presidential Management Fellows Program consists of four parts:

1.    Application

2.    Nomination

3.    Assessment and Finalist Selection

4.    Agency Placement as a Fellow

1. Application

The PMF Program uses USAJOBS External Link Icon and USAStaffing for its application process. Students will be able to apply to the PMF Program via the USAJOBS website or via a link to the job announcement posted on the PMF website. During the application process, students create an on-line account in Application Manager (a USAStaffing system).   The application period is September 15-25, 2011. 

2. Nomination

In addition to applying to become a PMF, students must be officially nominated by the Dean.  Once you have completed your online application, you will be able to print a Nomination Form. All Nomination Forms are due to the Career Planning Office by September 26th. Please include an updated copy of your resume along with your Nomination Form.

3. Assessment and Finalist Selection

There are two phases to the assessment process. In the first phase, students who are nominated and found to be eligible will be invited by email to take an online, un-proctored assessment. The invitation will include specific instructions on how to complete the assessment. Individuals will be required to take it without the help of others and it is timed.

The second phase is an in-person assessment. If the student scores sufficiently high on the online assessment, he or she will be invited to one of the assessment center locations to participate in an in-person assessment. The invitation will contain detailed information on the date, time, and location of the in-person assessment. An "Assessment Preparation Guide" is available under the "Become A PMF\Assessment Process" section on this website.

This year, PMF expects to host the in-person assessments from mid-November to mid-December, 2011 (excluding the week of Thanksgiving). The tentative locations are:

    Atlanta, GA

    Boston, MA

    Chicago, IL

    Denver, CO

    San Francisco, CA

    Washington, DC

The final locations will be listed in the announcement for applicants to choose their preferred in-person assessment center location.

Students who are among the highest scoring on the in-person assessment will become "Finalists" and move to the next phase of the process.

4. Agency Placement as a Fellow

Finalists can apply to openings at specific Federal Agencies as a Presidential Management Fellow. Finalists who receive a job offer from an agency, subject to a background investigation, must be appointed within twelve months of the official announcement of their selection as a Finalist.

More information about application, nomination, and selection is available on the PMF website, at www.pmf.gov.