What is the fellowship?
The Atlantic Council and the US-Mexico Foundation’s Rio Bravo Congressional Fellowship brings together Congressional staffers from across the border and experts to discuss critical junctures for the bilateral relationship. The fellowship aims to provide policymakers in both countries with greater access and understanding.
The Rio Bravo Congressional Fellowship aims to educate congressional staff on current events in the US-Mexico bilateral relationship and engage staff with Mexican legislators. This fellowship seeks to deepen the US-Mexico bilateral relationship through educating, convening, and establishing relationships among congressional staff from both countries and a larger community that includes leading experts on US-Mexico diplomatic relations, trade, migration, security, and sports diplomacy.
Details about the fellowship
Since its inception in 2020, the Rio Bravo Congressional Fellowship has been instrumental in strengthening US-Mexico relations. In 2022, a cohort of fellows from Mexico traveled to Washington, DC, for a week of high-impact meetings with key stakeholders from the private sector, US government, Congress, and the multilateral community.
Fellows will have the unique opportunity to connect with and learn from those involved in shaping policy during this crucial time for the bilateral relationship. This nonpartisan, nonresidential, unpaid fellowship offers a unique opportunity to participate in off-the-record master classes led by distinguished experts and guest speakers from the public, private, and civil society sectors. These sessions will focus on critical issues such as:
- Security and rule of law
- Economy and Trade
- Sports diplomacy (2026 FIFA World Cup)
- North American Trade Integration (USMCA)
- Migration and Labor Mobility
At the conclusion of the fellowship, each participant will receive a certificate of completion.
The experience also provides fellows with privileged access to select Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and US-Mexico Foundation events and connects fellows with experts from the two organizations for hearings, briefings, and background meetings.
How long is the fellowship?
The 2026 Rio Bravo Congressional Fellowship will run from April 29 to August 26, 2026.
Who should apply?
- Currently work in Congress and have at least two years of experience in Congress (legislative assistants or above are preferred);
- Professional focus or strong interest in US-Mexico relations;
- Have the ability to attend monthly master classes virtually.
Application instructions
Applications close on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Fellows will be selected through a competitive process, and the fellowship will begin on April 29, 2026. To apply, please fill out the form, which will require submission of your resume, a three-hundred-word statement of interest, and two professional references.
For any questions, please contact Valeria Villarreal at VVillarreal@AtlanticCouncil.org.
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The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations and delivers constructive, results-oriented solutions to inform how the public and private sectors can advance hemispheric prosperity.