Pennsylvania is opening the door for more technologists to enter public service, rolling out a new fellowship program aimed at bringing STEM talent into state government.
The state’s Office of Administration on Tuesday opened applications for its 2026 Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship, a yearlong program that places recent graduates in science, technology, engineering and math fields inside state agencies, to help solve government challenges like service delivery and data-driven decision-making.
Fellows will be placed in one of several state agencies — including at the Departments of Agriculture, General Services, Human Services, Transportation and others — and work on projects that support public sector IT, policy and innovation.
State officials said in a press release that the program is part of a broader push to modernize Pennsylvania’s workforce and strengthen its digital capabilities.
“As government increasingly relies on data, technology, and scientific expertise, it’s critical that we recruit professionals with advanced STEM knowledge,” Neil Weaver, Pennsylvania’s secretary of administration, said in a press release. “The Governor’s Science and Technology Fellowship is bringing fresh perspectives and technical skills that help agencies work smarter and better serve Pennsylvanians.”
The initiative builds on Pennsylvania’s efforts to hire the next generation of public servants and wider workforce strategy, driven by the need for modernization, cybersecurity and the integration of artificial intelligence.
Last year, the Office of Administration reported there had been a 17.5% increase in the number of Millennial employees and a 180% increase in the number of Gen Z employees working in Pennsylvania state agencies since Gov. Josh Shapiro had taken office. The report came shortly after Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania launched initiatives to streamline hiring processes, in order to recruit displaced federal workers. An executive order tasked the agency with accepting federal government experience as equivalent to commonwealth work experience for civil service roles.
Written by Sophia Fox-Sowell
Sophia Fox-Sowell reports on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and government regulation for StateScoop. She was previously a multimedia producer for CNET, where her coverage focused on private sector innovation in food production, climate change and space through podcasts and video content. She earned her bachelor’s in anthropology at Wagner College and master’s in media innovation from Northeastern University.