The Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF) is a career-development opportunity designed to attract recent MPA/MPP (or related programs) graduates to be placed in full-time management-track local government positions. Finalists are selected based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to public service, communication skills, initiative, creativity, and positive attitude. They then interview for 12-month fellowship appointments at local governments across the country, during which they receive direct mentorship from a senior government leader at the organization. (Appointments may be extended beyond the one-year term.) Since the program's launch in 2004, many alumni fellows are now in chief administrative officers or assistant chief administrative officers; many others are in senior positions in local government. See where fellows are now. 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to participate in the Local Government Management Fellowship, an applicant must:

  • Be a recent graduate or student enrolled in a public administration, public policy, or related field master's degree program.
  • Satisfy all of the requirements for their degree program by August 31 of the year of the fellowship.
  • Have no formal local government management work experience.
  • Be eligible to work in the United States.
  • Complete the LGMF application by the closing date.
Salary and Benefits Packages

Salary and benefits packages for fellows vary based on a number of factors and are determined by the host city. Both will be discussed with fellows at the end of the interview process, if they are to be offered a position with the host city.

ICMA Benefits

Those individuals placed in an LGMF host community receive:

  • Complimentary ICMA membership for two years.
  • Complimentary registration to the ICMA Annual Conference.
  • Scholarship funds to support travel and registration to an ICMA Local Government Reimagined Conference.
  • Complimentary access to ICMA's Management Assessment.
  • Complimentary subscription to PM magazine.

Become a Fellow  Host a Fellow 

Questions? Contact ICMA at lgmfprogram@icma.org.

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