The Robert Lee Ellis Civic Fellowship selects during their first year at the University on the basis of financial need, dedication towards service, personal growth, and civic leadership development. The application is open to incoming first-year and transfer students; first-year students make a 4-year commitment toward fulfilling Fellowship expectations, and transfer students make a 2-year commitment. Ellis Fellows are awarded annual scholarships throughout their years at the UW. 

Requirements

1. The application is open only to students in their first year as a full-time student at the UW Seattle campus. If you are an incoming first-year student you must have an anticipated graduation date in 2030 (or beyond); incoming transfer students must have an anticipated graduation date in 2028 (or beyond).  

2. Documented financial need as determined by the Financial Aid Office. Most students fill this requirement by filing a FAFSA or WAFSA for the current academic year. We also accept applications from those who are not eligible to file for federal or state financial aid but can document financial need through a written statement.

3. Committed to weaving public service and civic leadership development into your Husky Experience--including an effort to connect academic pursuits with community-engaged learning.

Recommendations

Successful fellows have been able to share the following interests. 

• A clear commitment to public service as shown through past experiences.

• An interest in a particular social issue or cause.

• Ideas about future goals and what you hope to gain as an Ellis Fellow.

Applying

To apply, please submit application materials by 11:59pm on Thursday, October 8, 2026.  

For more information on the application process--including essay prompts and recommended templates--please reference the 2026 Ellis Fellowship Application Guide.

Applicants will receive notification of whether they have been selected for an interview by Friday, October 23, 2026.  

If moved on to the next round in the selection process, there will be small group interviews on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. There is only one interview date and we are unable to make accommodations for schedule conflicts. (We encourage all applicants to tentatively put the interview time in their calendar to avoid conflicts. Interviews are scheduled in person in Mary Gates Hall; remote access is not guaranteed.)