The Catherine Hinman Memorial Fellowship was established in 2023 to create career pathways for graduate students from across the country to pursue public policy careers. Entering its fourth year in the Summer of 2026, the Fellowship is open to graduate students with backgrounds in economics, applied sciences, and international affairs with little or no prior experience working and living in Washington DC. Silverado helps these students gain practical professional experience and build a network in Washington DC. Fellows develop technical writing and research skills, become immersed in federal and international policy-making, and sow the seeds of career growth for years to come.
The Catherine Hinman Memorial Fellowship is hosted by the Silverado Policy Accelerator, a bipartisan geopolitical think tank focused on American prosperity and global competitiveness through investment in economic, strategic, and technological policy solutions.
Silverado introduces Fellows to multiple career paths by facilitating networking with DC-based professionals from across the U.S. Government, non-profit organizations, business, and academia. Throughout the course of the Fellowship, we work with each Fellow to complete a final research project based on their area of interest.
Program Details
- Overview
- Compensation
- Duration
- Qualifications
- How to Apply
- Application Deadline
- Fellowship requirements once selected
Overview
- In-person work at Silverado Policy Accelerator’s DC office, alongside Silverado professionals
- Guidance on policy-making in DC
- Networking with professionals in government, non-profits, business, and academia
- Weekly career seminars with current DC policy leaders
- Mentoring in the professional field of interest
- Group visits to famous DC landmarks
- Research project presented at a capstone event with the Silverado team
Testimonials
The Catherine Hinman Memorial Fellowship allowed me to collaborate with leading professionals, research a topic of international relevance, and expand my network within one of the world’s most influential political hubs, Washington, D.C. It enhanced my understanding of the intersections between research and U.S. policy and inspired me to contribute to practical, knowledge-based approaches to global challenges.
As a Catherine Hinman Memorial Fellow, I was introduced to leading industry experts who not only shared their insights but also took the time to meet one-on-one, offering invaluable conversations and career guidance. The people at Silverado are truly exceptional, and sharing this experience with my fellow Fellows is something I will always cherish. At the same time, the Fellowship gave me the opportunity to study critical supply chains in depth, focusing on rare earth permanent magnet manufacturing capacity and ownership at the global scale. This combination of mentorship, collaboration, and hands-on research provided me with professional and technical experiences that were both eye-opening and transformative, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity.
I am so grateful for the time I spent as a Catherine Hinman Memorial Fellow. Silverado provided the perfect environment for practicing research and analysis skills while learning about critical and timely policy issues. The mentorship I received and the skills I developed enabled me to establish a solid foundation for a career in policy. The connections I made during the fellowship have also helped me network with experts in the field and identify specific roles that would best suit me. The experience was a truly pivotal turning point in my life and career!
As a Silverado Policy Fellow, I gained solid experiences focusing on the intersection of technology, and U.S.-China competition. The Silverado team provided great support and access. Since completing the Fellowship, I’ve gained even more clarity on my career direction, specifically regarding national competitiveness issues of the day.
The Catherine Hinman Memorial Fellowship was an amazing experience learning to navigate the DC policy environment, while building new skills through technical research. I learned so much from the incredibly supportive staff, the other fellows, and the many experienced professionals Silverado introduced us to. Applying to this program was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, I strongly recommend it!