Flinn-Brown FAQs

From left, the Honorable Bill Gates, director of the ASU Mechanics of Democracy Laboratory, speaks with Fellows during the Flinn-Brown Academy. Joining him in conversation are facilitators, the Honorable Rebecca Rios and the Honorable Stan Barnes.

The 2026 Flinn-Brown Fellowship includes an orientation lunch, the annual Flinn-Brown Convention (with a reception the evening before), and 12 additional full-day Academy sessions between September and mid-November.


August 2026
Monday, Aug. 3: Orientation Lunch
Thursday, Aug. 13: Flinn-Brown Convention Reception
Friday, Aug. 14: Flinn-Brown Convention


September 2026
Wednesday, Sept. 2: Economy and Demographics
Thursday, Sept. 3: Government and Budget
Thursday, Sept. 17: PreK-12 Education
Friday, Sept. 18: Higher Education  


October 2026
Thursday, Oct. 1: Public Health and Health Care
Friday, Oct. 2: Human Services
Thursday, Oct. 15: Water & Environment
Friday, Oct. 16: Infrastructure 
Thursday, Oct. 29: Criminal Justice
Friday, Oct. 30: Communications and Media Relations


November 2026
Thursday, Nov. 12: Civic Engagement & Elections
Friday, Nov. 13: Day at the Capitol/Recognition Reception

Flinn-Brown Fellows are experienced civic leaders from across Arizona with broadly diverse perspectives, politics, and policy interests. Fellows are experts in their fields and are leaders in Arizona’s urban, rural, and tribal communities. They represent sectors of Arizona’s economy from business and industry to nonprofit and government. The Flinn-Brown Fellowship targets individuals working to address Arizona’s most challenging issues who want deeper knowledge and experience, a connected, diverse network, enhanced leadership skills, and a collaborative atmosphere. To be eligible for the Flinn-Brown Fellowship, applicants must have resided in Arizona for at least three consecutive years within the past 10 years. 

The Flinn-Brown Fellowship provides opportunities for civic leaders from throughout Arizona to expand their knowledge, skills, and networks to help address Arizona’s long-term issues. The Flinn-Brown Fellowship offers unparalleled learning through the Flinn-Brown Academy with a cohort, skill-building workshops, and the annual Flinn-Brown Convention.  

In addition to biographical information, the 2026 application includes six essay prompts regarding the applicant’s civic leadership experience, approach to a public policy issue, future civic leadership goals, engagement in political dialogue, plan to utilize the Flinn-Brown Network, and participation in Academy discussions.


Applicants will provide two letters of endorsement, a current resume, a professional headshot, and a 30-second introductory video regarding their interest in the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. Applicants must also confirm their commitment to attending all Flinn-Brown Academy sessions. Those selected for an interview are required to have their employer complete an Employer Approval Form prior to the interview date.

The Arizona Center for Civic Leadership held virtual information sessions and in-person sessions throughout January and February leading up to the Feb. 28 deadline for the 2026 Flinn-Brown Fellowship. We encourage you to subscribe to our emails to stay updated on future application cycles.

Current members of the Arizona Legislature are not eligible to apply for the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. However, former members of the Legislature are welcome to apply. 


Additionally, individuals employed as staff for political parties in Arizona are not eligible to apply. If the applicant selected to be in the Fellowship accepts a position as staff for a political party prior to, or during Academy, they will be asked to reapply after they leave their position.  


Individuals who are declared candidates for elected office in the same year as the Fellowship should carefully consider the demands of campaigning, as it may present challenges to full participation and attendance in the program. These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and if an applicant selected for the Fellowship officially declares their candidacy prior to, or during Academy, they may be asked to reapply in a subsequent year, or after they leave office.  

Yes. A limited number of applicants are selected for an in-person interview with the Flinn-Brown Selection Committee. Applicants selected for an interview must appear in person. A virtual option is not offered.  

All applicants, regardless of whether they are invited to interview, are informed of their status following the review committee’s deliberations. A comparable process is followed after the interview stage. Applicants are encouraged to use an email address they check regularly to ensure they receive timely notifications.

Applicants should seek letters of endorsement from individuals who can provide deep insight on the applicant’s background, past leadership experience, potential for greater civic leadership, and readiness to participate in the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. These letters are a vital element of the selection process, and we encourage candor and depth from endorsers.  Only one endorsement letter from a Flinn-Brown Fellow is permitted per application. Flinn-Brown Fellows are only allowed two letters of endorsement in each application cycle.  Endorsement letters must be submitted directly by the endorser. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all letters are received through the application portal no later than Feb. 28. 

Applicants selected for an interview must secure prior approval from their employer to be excused from work to attend all Academy sessions before their interview date.  Employers will be provided with a letter detailing the Flinn-Brown Academy schedule and the benefits of their employee’s participation, along with an online Employer Approval Form for submission directly to the Center. For applicants serving as CEOs, approval should be submitted by their board president. Self-employed applicants may provide the approval themselves. We highly encourage the applicant to confer with their employer prior to applying to the Fellowship to ensure that the time commitment is agreeable. If you are selected for the Fellowship, and report prior to, or during the Academy, that you must be absent from the Academy sessions for work purposes, we will respectfully ask you to reapply for a subsequent cohort.  

All Flinn-Brown Academy days are conducted in person at the Flinn Foundation in Phoenix. Virtual participation is not offered.  

There is no cost to participate in the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. The Flinn Foundation, with support from the Thomas R. Brown Family Private Foundation, covers the cost of participation and supplies for Fellows in the current cohort.

We highly encourage applicants from outside of Maricopa County. To accommodate Fellows who must travel to Phoenix for the Flinn-Brown Academy, we offer hotel accommodation, and mileage is reimbursed. Carpooling from across the state is highly encouraged.

Yes. Fellows should plan for preparation time before each Flinn-Brown Academy session. Pre-reading the material provided is extremely important. Additionally, Fellows are required to participate in a team project that will require time outside of Academy sessions for collaboration and coordination.   

Fellows are required to attend all Flinn-Brown Academy sessions , as participation is the most important component of the program. However, we understand that Fellows may have unavoidable issues, such as unexpected illness of yourself or a loved one. If you believe you will miss more than one day (full or in part) over the course of the Academy, we highly encourage you to apply for a future cohort. Please see the Academy schedule here. 

No. While the Flinn Foundation supports the expression and discussion of ideas, policies, and opinions and encourages everyone to be informed citizens and engage in their communities, especially in Arizona, it is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations prohibiting political and other non-charitable activities, such as campaign activities, electioneering, and lobbying.  


For more information about the Foundation’s nonpartisan policy, please click here.