Speechwriters Fellowship

The 2025 Speechwriters Fellowship: Friday, October 10th – Monday, October 13th 2025

About the Fellowship
Founded in 2017, the Claremont Institute Speechwriters Fellowship combines an education in the principles of the American Founding with a study of modern political speech craft. Fellows meet over the course of the Columbus Day weekend to discuss and debate these important ideas. Upon acceptance into the program, fellows will receive a reading packet with designated primary texts and assignments, when applicable, for each course.

The Curriculum
This year’s curriculum will pay special attention to the dominant political themes that continue to animate the American political debate today: America’s founding principles, natural law, equality, American identity, globalism, multiculturalism, identity politics, and the administrative state–all with the aim of equipping fellows with the tools for a robust defense of the American Way of Life. Classes will be led by a combination of Claremont scholars and former presidential speechwriters.

Who Should Apply?
Speechwriters currently serving in the executive or legislative branches of federal government. Speechwriters working in the private or non-profit sector may also apply.

Required Information:

• Personal information
• Resume
• Personal statement
• 2 speeches
• A writing sample (published or unpublished op-ed)
• 1-2 recommendations (optional; may be mailed separately)
• Transcripts (optional)

Location: Washington DC
2025 Application Open: December 1, 2024
Application Deadline: April 5, 2025
2026 Application Open: December 1, 2025   

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“The Fellowship could not have been a more valuable experience. It struck the perfect balance between serious study of first principles, practical advice from veteran writers, and opportunities to talk and compare notes with peers from across the government.“

– Chief Speechwriter, Senator Mitch McConnell

“[The Claremont Speechwriters Fellowship] connected older traditions with a newer, younger generation charged with maintaining them. It served as a bridge between experienced speechwriters and newbies to the profession, and between scholars and those working in specific political offices. And it has helped me navigate on-the-job traffic that results any time pragmatism, personalities, and principles jockey for room at the writing table.“

– Speechwriter, Department of State

“Claremont has brought decades of academic and professional Speechwriting experience to bear in this wonderful course which tracks both the development of American political thought and the practical challenges with communicating these convictions to the American people.“

– Former Chief Speechwriter, Department of Housing and Urban Development