Job Details

Fellowship: Summer 2026 Remote Temporary/Part Time

The Metropolitan Abundance Project (MAP) is a policy center dedicated to making cities more affordable, sustainable, and prosperous by advancing evidence-based policies on housing, transportation, and urban governance. MAP develops and shares model legislation, research-backed policy solutions, and communications tools to help local and state advocates succeed. MAP is a project of California YIMBY.

The Opportunity

We are seeking Policy Fellows for temporary, paid positions during the Summer of 2026. This fellowship provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to the creation of model legislation and organizational development by supporting key research activities for a student or recent graduate. Fellows will play a pivotal role in shaping impactful legislation and organizational growth, focusing on the following responsibilities:

• Researching existing legislation to understand its context and outcomes.
• Identifying legislative impacts and analyzing them against intended goals.
• Creating comparison charts to highlight best practices across jurisdictions.
• Developing bill inventories organized by themes and aligned with identified best practices.

This fellowship is an ideal fit for master's students in their first or second year of graduate studies or recent graduates.

Key Qualifications

The ideal candidate will:

• Be pursuing or have recently completed a master's degree, preferably in a field related to urban planning, public policy, business, or a similar discipline.
• Have domain expertise in one or more of the following areas: housing, land use, climate policy, or transportation policy.
• Demonstrate strong research and analytical skills, with experience synthesizing complex information.
• Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Show an ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with legislative processes or experience drafting policy recommendations.
• A passion for addressing systemic challenges in housing, climate, or transportation policy.

Compensation and Commitment

This is a temporary fellowship position up to 20 hours per week during the Summer of 2026, with the potential for extension into Fall. Our fellowship includes flexible scheduling to accommodate academic commitments. Starting at $30 per hour.

This Summer's Projects:

Fellows will contribute to several active MAP projects, with specific assignments determined based on fit and interest. Project areas this summer will include:

• Pre-Approved Housing Plans Policy Research. Pre-approved housing plans allow jurisdictions to streamline permitting by offering builders a menu of pre-reviewed designs — reducing cost, time, and uncertainty. Fellows will research how these programs work in practice, examine examples from across the U.S. and internationally, and help develop policy materials that translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Model Legislation Co-Development. Fellows will work with MAP's Transportation Policy Manager to help develop model transportation legislation, contributing research, comparative analysis, and drafting support across multiple project phases.
• Model Legislation Case Studies. Examining how states have adopted and implemented MAP model legislation, drawing on legislative histories and interviews with policy leaders and advocates to synthesize transferable lessons for lawmakers.
• Bill Tracking and Inventory. Updating and maintaining MAP's bill inventories across model legislation topics, and helping develop tools and systems for ongoing legislative monitoring and partner collaboration.

How to Apply

Submit your application using the form below. Applications are rolling, and early consideration will be given to those who apply by May 8th.