Harrisburg, PA – Today, the Shapiro Administration welcomed eight candidates selected for the Governor’s Science and Technology (Sci-Tech) Fellowship, marking the third year of the program helping advanced-degree STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals bring innovation, data-informed problem solving, and emerging technologies into state agencies. Fellows will support priority projects that improve services, modernize operations, and introduce new tools - including artificial intelligence - to enhance how state government works for Pennsylvanians.
"Over the past three years, the Shapiro Administration has strengthened the workforce across state agencies by creating new talent pipelines for technical and professional roles," said Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver. “Programs like the Governor’s Sci-Tech Fellowship help us attract people with specialized knowledge to public service, give them hands-on opportunities to make a difference, and retain many of them as long-term Commonwealth employees where their skills can continue to serve our communities.”
The one-year Sci-Tech fellowship places master’s- or doctorate-level degree holders to work on targeted projects aligned with their expertise. The 2026 Sci-Tech fellows will serve in the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, Environmental Protection, General Services, Human Services, and Labor & Industry, as well as the Insurance Department and the Governor’s Office of Transformation & Opportunity.
Projects include:
- Department of Agriculture: Expanding the use of genetic testing for animal diseases and control and training Commonwealth employees in advanced disease diagnostic tools.
- Department of Environmental Protection: Improving how internal and external users deploy the PennEnviroScreen tool and other DEP data and visualization tools.
- Department of General Services: Leading transformative data and AI initiatives to enhance data quality, accessibility, and operational efficiency across the Department.
- Department of Human Services: Improving systematic data analysis and program outcomes across the department.
- Insurance Department: Critical analysis of the Underground Storage Tank Indemnification Fund (USTIF) historical claims data to improve risk-based decision-making and decrease time to claim closure.
- Department of Labor & Industry: Increasing positive workforce development outcomes with AI and increasing AI literacy in publicly funded programs including registered and pre-apprenticeship programs.
- Department of Labor & Industry: Improving enforcement of the Commonwealth’s labor laws by leveraging advances in data storage/processing, automation, and AI.
- Governor’s Office of Transformation and Opportunity: Serving as a resident AI expert to bring latest AI industry insights into the Commonwealth decision-making process on how to incorporate AI into Commonwealth operations.
The Sci-Tech Fellowship is one of several programs driving this multi-year talent strategy. The William & Hannah Penn Fellowship provides two-year placements for individuals with master's and other advanced degrees to work on projects that support the Governor's policy priorities. This year, the Commonwealth launched a new Summer Legal Policy Fellowship which placed three law students in agency policy offices for 10 weeks. The fellows analyzed policy issues for the Departments of Health and Environmental Protection and the Governor’s Policy Office and gained direct experience in policy research, legislative analysis, and the regulatory process. The Commonwealth intends to expand this graduate-level summer program in the future.
Following the completion of their fellowship programs, participants may be offered a permanent position with the Commonwealth. Nearly 75 percent of fellows across all Commonwealth programs have found permanent appointments within state government after completing their fellowship program.
Since 2023, state agencies have hosted 45 fellows in policy, legal, and STEM programs. Additionally, the Office of Administration established an Information Technology Help Desk Apprenticeship and expanded participation across internship programs. Throughout 2026, the Shapiro Administration has welcomed 962 interns, with more starting in the fall – the largest-ever cohort of interns. This includes 28 Pennsylvania college students with disabilities participating in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) Summer Internship Program – the largest cohort in program history. Last month, the Commonwealth was ranked as a Top Employer for Internships for the second year in a row by the Pennsylvania Chamber Foundation for providing dynamic, engaging, and educational experiences that prepare students to succeed in their future careers.
Job seekers can visit Employment.pa.gov to learn more about internships, apprenticeships, and fellowships offered by the Commonwealth. They can also learn more about state employment, view and apply for job openings, and receive notifications about new vacancies in their field.
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