The North Carolina Education Policy Fellowship (EPFP) is a nationally-recognized fellowship program that engages a diverse and collaborative community of strategic leaders to promote equitable education policy.
Our Education Policy Fellowship is the only statewide program of its kind that focuses on leadership and professional development in the context of education policy. Fellows come from public schools, higher education, state agencies, and a wide range of education organizations across North Carolina.
Over the course of this program, fellows will dive deep into education policy issues– both on the state and federal level– as well as perspectives that they don’t typically encounter in their daily work. By the end of the year, fellows can expect to be more informed, well-rounded contributors to the critical debates that shape education in NC and beyond. Fellows increase their awareness of how public policy is made, learn who the key players are, and become more confident and involved in advocacy and the policymaking process.
Applications for 2025-26 are open!
We will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis in April. Application deadline is June 30, 2025.
GEAR UP Funding
If your employer would like to request GEAR UP funding for EPFP, please use the NC EPFP Gear Up Funding Application to determine eligibility and apply. GEAR UP Funding is available to fellows in the following counties: Alleghany, Ashe, Burke, Catawba, Cherokee Central, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey. Additionally, participants from the following Appalachian GEAR UP partner institutions are encouraged to apply:
- UNC Asheville
- Appalachian State University
- Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
- Blue Ridge Community College
- Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
- Catawba Valley Community College
- Isothermal Community College
- Mayland Community College Wilkes Community College
- McDowell Technical Community College
- Southwestern Community College
- Western Piedmont Community College
- Wilkes Community College