The University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University jointly established the John Gardner Public Service Fellowship Program in 1985 to encourage new Stanford and UC Berkeley graduates to invest their talent, energy, and training in public service. Each spring, six graduating seniors (three from Berkeley and three from Stanford), are selected as John Gardner Public Service Fellows.  Fellows are awarded $27,500 plus health insurance to fund a ten-month assignment with a senior figure in a government or nonprofit agency.  In 2003, fellowship alumni established the John Gardner Fellowship Association.

The mission of the John Gardner Fellowship Association (JGFA) is to:

- Promote the values and ideals exemplified by John Gardner.

- Bring together members for the purpose of renewal and

  inspiration.

- Encourage and support the ongoing involvement of its

  members in public service.

- Ensure the Fellowship program has adequate resources for

  success.

- Engage the universities and members to fulfill the goals of the 

  Fellowship.