Apply

2026-27 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 EPLF participants are required to attend all program-hosted sessions throughout the academic year to complete the program. By submitting your application, you are committed to attending all five 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 11:00am-1:00pm on scheduled Thursdays and Fridays.  

Session 1 | November 5-7, 2026 in Sacramento, CA (in-person)  

Session 2 | December 3-4, 2026 in Zoom (virtual)   

Session 3 | February 11-12, 2027 in Zoom (virtual)  

Session 4 | March 11-12, 2027 in Zoom (virtual)  

Session 5 | April 29-May 1, 2027 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. Click Here to download the Supervisor Endorsement Form. 

Program Costs

Participation in the CA Education Policy Leadership Fellows Program requires a $1,000 program fee, which may be paid by fellows or their employers. Fellows or their employers are also responsible for all travel expenses associated with attending the two required in-person sessions in Sacramento. A payment link for the program fee will be provided upon acceptance into the program.   

The program will provide the following meals during each in-person session:   

November Session  

  • Thursday: Dinner    
  • Friday: Lunch and dinner    
  • Saturday: Breakfast and lunch    

April Session  

  • Thursday: Dinner    
  • Friday: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner   
  • Saturday: Breakfast and lunch 

Scholarships

Program Fee Scholarships:   

To help reduce financial barriers to participation, the program offers a limited number of scholarships that will cover the full program fee for fellows with demonstrated financial need. To be considered for a scholarship to cover the program fee, 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 EPLF 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 EPLF? 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. 

Applications for the 2026-27 CA EPLF cohort are now open.  

Timeline: Apply by Friday, July 31, 2026 @ 11:59 PM (PST).   

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

Apply Now!