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2025-26 CA EPFP Program

Who Should Apply

Individuals who have demonstrated long-term interest in developing and implementing policy that affects student success.
Individuals who have demonstrated interest in promoting education equity and racial and social justice.
Individuals who demonstrate strong leadership potential through their work in K-12, higher education, and/or education policymaking.
Individuals with a desire to expand their network in California and across the nation to accomplish their professional goals.
Individuals with a bachelor’s/graduate degree, a full-time professional position, and demonstrated work experience.

Requirements and Expectations

CA EPFP participants are required to attend all program-hosted sessions (sessions 1-3 & 5) throughout the academic year to complete the program. By submitting your application, you are committed to attending all four sessions, so please ensure your availability. The two in-person sessions in Sacramento will require out-of-town travel beginning on a Thursday and ending on a Saturday. The virtual, Zoom-hosted sessions will require availability from 10:00am-1:00pm on scheduled Thursdays and Fridays.

Session 1 | October 9-11, 2025 in Sacramento, CA (in-person)
Session 2 | November 13-14, 2025 in Zoom (virtual)
Session 3 | February 5-6, 2026 in Zoom (virtual)
Session 4 | IEL-Hosted in Washington, DC (Date TBA)
Session 5 | April 30-May 2, 2026 in Sacramento, CA (in-person)

We ask employers to commit to allowing release time for participants to attend the seminars. Please attach a signed and completed Supervisor Endorsement Form. Download the Supervisor Endorsement Form here.

Costs

The program fee is approximately $745 and can be paid by the fellow or their employer. Funding from the State of California and philanthropic grants cover most of the other program costs for participants, including transportation, meals, and lodging for the two in-person sessions in Sacramento. However, participants are expected to cover their own costs for travel and accommodation in Washington, DC (requesting monetary sponsorship from their employer is encouraged).

Scholarships

Need-Based Scholarships:

Need-based scholarships to cover the program fee and/or partial travel expenses to attend the session in Washington D.C., are available to participants who cannot pay on their own or do not receive financial support through their employer. Our goal is that no deserving applicant be unable to participate due to financial limitations. To be considered for a need-based scholarship to cover the program fee and/or partial travel expenses, applicants must provide a scholarship statement (details below). Upon acceptance into the program, applicants will be notified of their scholarship award.

Scholarship Statement Requirements (If Applicable):

A clear and concise need-based scholarship statement (approximately one page) that highlights the reasons for seeking additional financial support. You may include your organization’s policy or a description of your organization’s policy on funding professional development, as well as any other relevant information to support your need-based scholarship statement.

Application Requirements:

To complete and submit the application, you will need to ensure that the following materials are compiled into a single, uploadable PDF document:

A resume that includes your work and education experience, as well as three (3) up-to-date references;

A signed supervisor endorsement form;

Scholarship Statement (if applicable, see description above)

Three short essay responses to the following questions (please do not exceed 2.5 double-spaced pages total)

CA EPFP brings together cohorts of education professionals to explore critical issues in public education, with a focus on creating more equitable opportunities and outcomes for students. Our program connects K-12 and higher education, and state policy development and implementation.

How would you benefit from participation in CA EPFP? What interests you most with regard to our program? What can you contribute to the program?
Please describe one intersegmental major policy issue in California that impacts equitable student success about which you are concerned or could use support. What would you change?
Describe how you integrate concepts of equity, race, and social justice within education into your work.

Download the application requirements checklist here.

Timeline:

Apply by Thursday, July 31, 2025 @ 11:59 PM (PST).

For any questions regarding the application process, please reach out to us at epfp@csus.edu.

APPLY HERE