What does Preamble of TALENTS Act do?

This bill is formally titled 'To establish the Presidential Management Fellows Program, and for other purposes.'

What does SHORT TITLE. of TALENTS Act do?

This bill is formally titled the "Training Aspiring Leaders Emerging Now To Serve Act" or the "TALENTS Act".

What does DEFINITIONS. of TALENTS Act do?

This section defines key terms used throughout the Act. “Advanced degree” and “qualifying educational institution” are defined by reference to 5 C.F.R. section 362.102, or any successor regulation, but the Director retains discretion to determine if a master's certificate qualifies. “Agency” is defined as an “Executive agency” under 5 U.S.C. section 105, and includes the Government Publishing Office. An “Agency PMF Coordinator” is an individual responsible for coordinating Program-related activities within an agency and meeting specific criteria outlined in 5 C.F.R. section 362.104(a)(8). The “Director” refers to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. An “Executive Resources Board” is defined by reference to 5 C.F.R. section 317.501(a), or if an agency lacks such a board, it refers to the senior agency official responsible for executive resources management. A “Federal Executive Board” is established under section 11 of the Act. “Fellow” refers to an individual appointed to serve under the Program. The “Program” is defined as the Presidential Management Fellows Program established by this Act. The “Director” has the authority to define “metropolitan area”. The “principal area officer” is the senior agency official located in a metropolitan area with no superior within that area (except in the regional office). The “principal regional officer” is the senior official in a regional office of an agency. A “special representative” is an official not supervised by a principal area or regional officer, specifically designated by the agency head.

What does PROGRAM ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. of TALENTS Act do?

This section establishes the Presidential Management Fellows Program to attract talented individuals to the Federal service. The Director of the Program determines the number of finalists appointed as Fellows each fiscal year, considering input from the Chief Human Capital Officers Council and other agencies. During fiscal years 2026 through 2031, the number of Fellow positions must be 200 percent of the number in the preceding fiscal year. The Director is responsible for establishing qualification requirements for applicants. Agencies can appoint Director-selected finalists as Fellows, aligning with their leadership and recruitment needs. Agencies appointing Fellows outside of Washington, D.C. should discuss potential developmental rotations and promote interaction with regional Federal Executive Boards.

What does ANNOUNCEMENT, ELIGIBILITY, AND SELECTION. of TALENTS Act do?

The Director is required to annually announce the ability to apply for the Program and conduct a competition to select finalists. To apply, an individual must have obtained an advanced degree from a qualifying institution within two years of the announcement, or expect to complete such a degree by August 31 of the competition year. Individuals may apply to the Program multiple times, but becoming a finalist and then reapplying forfeits that finalist status. Fellows must have completed an advanced degree within two years of starting their fellowship. Finalists will be selected based on a rigorous assessment process, allowing the Director to grant preference eligibility as defined in Title 5, United States Code. The Director will publish and distribute a list of Fellow finalists to agencies.

What does APPOINTMENT AND EXTENSION. of TALENTS Act do?

This section outlines the appointment and extension procedures for individuals participating in the Program. Agencies may make 2-year appointments to the Program under the excepted service, adhering to specific regulations. A Fellow must be appointed using the excepted service appointing authority under 5 CFR 213.3402(c). The Director establishes an eligibility period for agencies to appoint Fellow finalists. Agencies can extend a Fellow’s term by up to 120 days for rare or unusual circumstances. Fellows can be appointed at the GS-09, GS-11, or GS-12 level, or equivalent pay grades. The appointment is considered a trial period, not a probationary period. Fellows generally have a full-time work schedule, but may request a part-time schedule for up to 180 days, subject to agency approval. Agency approval of a part-time schedule requires ensuring Program requirements can still be met and specifying the time period. Appointments under the Program are considered appointments made using direct-hire authority under 5 U.S.C. sections 3115 or 3116.

What does DEVELOPMENT, EVALUATION, PROMOTION, AND CERTIFICATION. of TALENTS Act do?

This section outlines requirements for the development, evaluation, promotion, and certification of Fellows participating in the Program. Each agency head must approve an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for each Fellow within 90 days of the Program's start, detailing mutually agreed-upon developmental activities. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is responsible for providing leadership development activities and training information to Fellows. Agencies must provide Fellows with at least 80 hours of formal interactive training per year, aligned with their IDP, excluding mandatory annual training. Each Fellow must be assigned a mentor, a managerial employee outside their chain of command, within 90 days of their appointment. Fellows are required to participate in at least one rotational or developmental assignment, lasting between 120 and 180 days, with management or technical responsibilities. The Executive Resources Board (ERB) must evaluate Fellows and determine certification of completion 45 days before the Program's end. Fellows who are not certified may request reconsideration from the Director. Agencies may promote Fellows who meet the qualifications for applicable positions, but this does not guarantee promotion.

What does MOVEMENT BETWEEN AGENCIES. of TALENTS Act do?

This section outlines the process for a Fellow to move to another agency during their appointment. A Fellow can move if the receiving agency meets program requirements, the original agency releases the appointment, and the new agency appoints the Fellow without a service break. Upon moving, the Fellow does not begin a new program period, and prior service counts towards program completion. Agencies must notify the Director when a Fellow is appointed after a move. If a move occurs within the first 180 days, the initial agency may request reimbursement of 1/4 of the placement fee from the new agency.

What does WITHDRAWAL AND READMISSION. of TALENTS Act do?

This section outlines the procedures for a Fellow's withdrawal from and potential readmission to the Program. A Fellow may withdraw from the Program at any time, which is treated as a resignation from Federal service, but existing obligations remain. Agencies must notify the Director when a Fellow withdraws. Fellows who previously held a permanent competitive service appointment and withdraw without misconduct, poor performance, or suitability issues may be placed in a permanent position at the agency's discretion. Readmission to the Program is prohibited for Fellows who withdraw due to misconduct, poor performance, or suitability concerns. Fellows who withdraw for other reasons may petition their original agency for readmission and reappointment. The Director has the authority to overrule an agency's approval of a readmission petition, and this decision is not subject to appeal.

What does REMOVAL AND REDUCTION IN FORCE. of TALENTS Act do?

Agencies may remove Fellows for misconduct, poor performance, or suitability, requiring written notification to the Director. A Fellow's appointment ends at the end of the 2-year Program period, or any agency-approved extension under section 5(b), unless converted under section 10. If an agency does not convert or extend a Fellow's appointment, it expires 30 days after denial of Program completion certification or denial of an extension request. Fellows are placed in the excepted service group II for reduction in force purposes, as defined in 5 CFR § 351.502.

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TALENTS Act

Last updated: 12/12/2025 · Introduced: 12/12/2025

Author: Melanie Stansbury (D-NM)

TL;DR (AI)

The TALENTS Act establishes the Presidential Management Fellows Program to attract talented individuals to federal service, aiming to increase the number of Fellows to 200% of previous levels between 2026 and 2031.
Applicants for the Program must possess an advanced degree from a qualifying institution within two years of the announcement, and finalists will be selected through a rigorous assessment process.
Agencies appointing Fellows are required to approve an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for each Fellow within 90 days, provide at least 80 hours of training annually, and assign a mentor.
The Act allows Fellows to move between agencies without a service break, provided the receiving agency meets program requirements and the original agency releases the appointment.
Federal Executive Boards (FEBs) are established to improve management and administration of executive branch activities in select metropolitan areas, facilitating communication and collaboration between Washington, D.C., and field offices.

119th Congressin committeeS. 1768(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 11 more.

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