The Flinn-Brown Fellowship, the Center’s cornerstone initiative, annually selects a cohort of between 25 and 30 Arizona leaders for the Flinn-Brown Academy. An immersive learning experience for accomplished community leaders from diverse backgrounds, Fellows engage in rich and civil discussions with policymakers, thought leaders, and political experts; form professional connections within a robust peer network; and gain profound understanding of how to contribute to addressing Arizona’s most pressing issues through a variety of paths into public service.
Flinn-Brown Fellowship At a Glance
- Accomplished Peers: The diverse Fellows chosen from throughout Arizona each year for Flinn-Brown are recognized broadly as strong leaders ready to go further.
- Rich Experience: The Fellowship includes an Orientation Lunch, the annual Flinn-Brown Convention, and 12 additional full-day Academy sessions from September through mid-November, with supplementary readings tied to seminar topics.
- Tuition-free: There is no cost to participate in the Flinn-Brown Fellowship. Mileage reimbursement and hotel accommodations are provided for participants outside of Maricopa County. Meals and supplies for seminar days are provided.
- Nonpartisan Design: The focus is on policy, politics, and solutions to Arizona’s pressing challenges. Interactive sessions include essential facts and figures, examination of policy choices, and articulation of key perspectives.
- Exceptional Presenters: They include highly experienced elected and appointed officials, executives, judges, scholars, and other experts engaged in decision-making at highest levels, plus political analysis from active state-level practitioners.
- Personal Growth: Offering unique components for self-assessment and practice of leadership, skills-focused learning events, individualized connections, long-term support, and leadership opportunities.
- Great Expectations: All Fellows commit to advance toward their civic leadership goals in the near term, and to offer and seek support from colleagues in the Flinn-Brown Network beyond the Flinn-Brown Academy.
2026 Flinn-Brown Fellowship Schedule
The Academy sessions are typically held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a couple of evening events. This schedule is subject to change.
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: Environment
Friday, Oct. 16: Infrastructure
Thursday, Oct. 29: Criminal Justice
Friday, Oct. 30: Communications and Media Relations
November 2026
Thursday, Nov. 12: Civic Engagement
Friday, Nov. 13: Day at the Capitol/Recognition Reception
Applying for Flinn-Brown
Between 25 and 30 Arizonans are selected each spring for the Fellowship in a highly competitive selection process. The 2026 application opens at 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 2.
Flinn-Brown Academy Facilitators
Flinn-Brown Academy sessions are facilitated by two former state legislators who are leading experts in Arizona policy and politics: Stan Barnes of Copper State Consulting Group and South Mountain Justice of the Peace Rebecca Rios. Learn more.
Stay up-to-date about the Flinn-Brown Fellowship and application timelines, as well as additional Arizona Center for Civic Leadership programming and news, by joining our email list.
