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Application Period

The application period for the WA Institute for a Democratic Future (WAIDF) Class of 2025 is now closed. Thank you for your interest! Application period ended 11:59pm Tuesday, November 19. Financial assistance is available for those who need it. 

About the Program

WAIDF is a six-month fellowship from January through June, occurring over ten intensive weekends, plus a week in Washington, DC. Programming for these weekends focuses on a diverse range of political topics. The program covers the nuts and bolts of campaigns and elections, geographic issues from around the state, and developing leadership skills with our fellows. WAIDF offers a rich curriculum, networking opportunities, and will leave participants with lasting ties to their current class and other alumni. Participants meet with elected officials, leading experts, business owners, lobbyists, nonprofit leaders, and people making a difference in their communities all over the state and in Washington, D.C. We want our class members to get engaged in the political process while introducing them to the people and issues that are affecting our state.  Each year WAIDF graduates a “farm team” of progressive leaders who go out into the world and make a difference within campaigns, policy jobs, nonprofits, and in their communities.  

COVID Protocols

WAIDF requires room sharing as a part of the program. WAIDF will follow all local COVID protocols and best practices for in-person programming. Currently masks will not be required for all in-person programming unless public health recommendations change.

Finances & Logistics

The full out-of-pocket cost of this fellowship is $980 (includes a $100 non-refundable deposit) – but the real world cost of this program averages to about $5,000 per class member. We have made it a point to try to remove financial barriers to the extent possible.

Many employers and unions offer various funding opportunities (e.g., grants, reimbursements, and professional development stipends) for their employees and members. We encourage applicants to ask their current or former employers and/or unions to obtain partial or complete funding to support their fellowship participation.

Please keep in mind that all travel costs, including meals, are not included in the cost of the program and will be each class member’s responsibility to cover. Carpooling is encouraged and supported in the program.

D.C. airfare is not included in the cost of the program.

There is a scholarship request option upon acceptance into the program to support these costs.

WAIDF is committed to making our program accessible to all who want to participate by providing scholarships, travel reimbursements, and payment plans but resources to further subsidize the program are limited. Admission and acceptance into the program is on a need-blind basis.

Attendance: Fellows are required to notify WAIDF staff of an absence the Wednesday before each upcoming program weekend. Fellows should plan on attending every weekend, not missing more than four total days.

How to Apply

Prospective applicants must submit an online application form, resume, cover letter, and at least one letter of recommendation (a maximum of two letters will be accepted). Applicants must be between the ages of 21 and 39 by the start of the program, Friday, January 3, 2025. Final selection into the class will be based on an interview, to be conducted on December 7 and 8, 2024.

Please review the weekend dates below. Fellows are only allowed to miss up to four total days and cannot miss the kickoff weekend or two consecutive weekends.

Deadlines and Other Dates 

  • Applications are now closed. There was a $50 non-refundable application fee.
  • Applications must have been submitted by November 12, 2024 (Late applications were considered until November 19, 2024, with an increased $75 nonrefundable application fee).
  • Interviews will be scheduled shortly after the final application deadline. This year’s interviews will be Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Summary Calendar

Please note that the content is subject to change and that programming does not typically occur on Fridays. The Fridays listed are often travel days:

Dates

Location

Jan. 3-5, 2025

Seattle Kickoff – Jan. 3
Seattle Programming – Jan. 4 & 5

Feb. 1-2, 2025

Snohomish & King County Programming

Feb 14-17, 2025*

Vancouver & Olympia
Vancouver Arrival – Feb. 14
Vancouver Programming and Olympia Arrival – Feb. 15
Olympia Programming – Feb. 16 & 17

March 8-9

Seattle Campaigns & Elections Programming

March 21-23, 2025*

Bellingham & Mount Vernon
Bellingham Arrival – March 21
Bellingham Programming – March 22
Mount Vernon Arrival – March 22
Mount Vernon Programming – March 23

April 4-6, 2025*

Cashmere & Ellensburg
Cashmere Arrival – April 4
Cashmere Programming – April 5
Ellensburg Arrival – April 5
Ellensburg Programming – April 6

April 11-13, 2025*

Optional
Long Beach Arrival – April 11
Long Beach Programming – April 12 & 13

April 26-27, 2025

Kitsap & King County Programming

May weekend
TBD, 2025*

Optional
D.C. Days
Dates are pending the final congressional calendar for 2025

May 31-June 1, 2025

Tacoma & Pierce County Programming

June 20-22, 2025*

Spokane & Eastern WA
Arrival – June 20
Programming – June 21 & 22

June 28

Graduation!

* denotes a hotel stay.

Application Form

The application period for WAIDF has come to an end. Thank you for your interest!

For reference, below you can find a list of the questions included in the application. Each should be answered in 3-4 sentences:

  • WAIDF classes benefit from fellows with varied lived experiences. Tell us about where you have lived, for how long, and what you’d like us to know about those experiences.
  • Do you have a deep connection to where you currently live and do you intend to stay there through 2025?
  • Do you identify with a political party? If yes, which one, and why or why not?
  • What do you hope to gain from your WAIDF experience?
  • Please tell us how your personal background or experiences shaped your political views or motivated you to care about a particular policy issue.
  • Race Forward defines racial equity as the process of eliminating racial disparities and improving outcomes for everyone. It is the intentional and continual practice of changing policies, practices, systems, and structures by prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people of color. During 2020, the conversation surrounding race equity went global. WAIDF is devoted to the goal of racial equity within politics, government and political structures, particularly in WA state. It’s important for us to know our fellows’ own thoughts on racial equity. Have your views on racial equity changed over the last few years, why or why not and if yes, how?
  • How do you approach debating an issue with someone who disagrees with you?
  • WAIDF is a highly competitive program. Please tell us what skills, talents, or unique perspectives you bring to the program that will help us in the selection of next year’s class.
  • The WAIDF Program is a very serious time commitment. Do you foresee any significant time conflicts with the posted schedule?