The federal government is about to get an influx of top young talent thanks to an innovative new program at one of America's most prestigious universities.

Compared to earlier generations, the percentage of students at America's top colleges and universities looking to enter government service is on the decline. Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs is looking to reverse that trend.

Princeton recently launched its highly selective Scholars in the Nation's Service initiative to encourage more of the nation's best and brightest student to pursue careers in government.

The first five scholars will be drawn from Princeton undergraduates. These students will be selected in the fall of 2006 as they begin their junior years.

They will spend their final two years of college taking selected courses in public policy and learning about career opportunities in the federal government, in addition to spending the summer after their junior year in a federal internship.

After graduation, they will spend two years working in government, before finally returning to the Wilson School to earn a master's degree in public affairs.

The Partnership for Public Service will work with the scholars to help place them in federal jobs that match their interests.

This program is a win-win. Government will benefit from an infusion of new talent and fresh ideas, while outstanding students gain invaluable experience that will launch their careers.

Princeton's program breaks new ground, and hopefully other schools of public affairs will follow their lead.