Pennsylvania Welcomes STEM Fellowship Cohort to State Agencies

In March 2026, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro announced that the state was accepting applications for the 2026 Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship.

The year-long program is designed to place top science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates in Pennsylvania agencies “to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges,” the Commonwealth said at the time.

More recently, the Shapiro administration announced that eight candidates have been selected for the 2026 fellowship. This marks the third year of the program putting the skills of advanced-degree STEM professionals to work within Pennsylvania state agencies, according to a statement from Shapiro’s office.

Fellows will support priority projects designed to improve services, modernize operations and introduce new tools, including artificial intelligence, “to enhance how state government works for Pennsylvanians,” the statement read. These projects include:

• Department of Agriculture: Expanding the use of genetic testing for animal diseases and control and training Commonwealth employees in advanced disease diagnostic tools.
• Department of General Services: Leading transformative data and AI initiatives to enhance data quality, accessibility, and operational efficiency across the Department.
• Department of Human Services: Improving systematic data analysis and program outcomes across the department.
• Department of Labor & Industry: Increasing positive workforce development outcomes with AI and increasing AI literacy in publicly funded programs including registered and pre-apprenticeship programs.

Participants may be offered a permanent position with the Commonwealth at the completion of their fellowship programs, according to the Shapiro administration. The August 24 statement noted that nearly 75% of fellows have found permanent appointments within Pennsylvania state government after going through the fellowship program.

“Over the past three years, the Shapiro Administration has strengthened the workforce across state agencies by creating new talent pipelines for technical and professional roles,” said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver, in a statement.

“Programs like the Governor’s Sci-Tech Fellowship help us attract people with specialized knowledge to public service, give them hands-on opportunities to make a difference and retain many of them as long-term Commonwealth employees, where their skills can continue to serve our communities.”