National Fellowships

Programs for Funding Gaining Policy Experience

Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation established the Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program at Howard University to honor the legacy of former Foundation Trustee and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan and to expand the pool of students of color interested in the field of health policy. As a member of the United States Congress and the Texas State Legislature, Barbara Jordan's distinguished career was typified by her tireless advocacy of behalf of vulnerable populations. She brought this passion to her work, inspiring others to become involved in addressing challenging health policy issues.

The Scholars Program brings talented Latino, African American, Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native college seniors and recent graduates to Washington, DC, where they work in congressional offices and learn about health policy. Through the nine-week program (May 26 - July 30, 2004), Scholars gain knowledge about federal legislative procedure and health policy issues, while further developing their critical thinking and leadership skills. In addition to an internship in a congressional office, Scholars participate in seminars and site visits to augment their knowledge of health care issues, and write and present a health policy research paper. The program is based at Howard University.

Capital City Fellows Program
The Capital City Fellows Program (CCFP) is an initiative of Mayor Anthony Williams to attract recent graduates of master's degree programs in public administration, public policy, urban planning, and related fields to work for the city of Washington, DC.
Candidates compete for two-year fellowship appointments during which they complete four six-month rotations in different city agencies, including the Office of the City Administrator, Office of Personnel, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Department of
Human Services, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Transportation, and the Metropolitan Police Department. In addition to on-the-job training in their host agencies, Fellows are given unique opportunities to meet with high-level city officials and
participate in educational and professional development seminars. The program prepares Fellows to meet the challenges of local government public service and develops management talent for the city. Fellows are required to live in the District within 180
days of appointment and they receive an initial appointment at the DS-12/1 level (currently $46,770). They are eligible for benefits afforded all regular city government employees such as health insurance, annual and sick leave.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace Junior Scholarship
The Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL) awards four scholarships to outstanding Asian PacificAmerican undergraduates, graduating seniors and graduate students for public or non-profit sector internships in Washington, D.C. for the summer. The scholarships are intended to enable outstanding college and graduate students with the potential for leadership to work full-time and learn about ways to affect public policy in order to better benefit and serve Asian Pacific American communities. CAPAL is able to fund four students with a $2,000 stipend. Applicants must be continuing undergraduate students, demonstrate leadership potential, a commitment to public service, and to the Asian Pacific American community.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Fellowship
The CHCI Summer Internship Program is designed to heighten Hispanic students' awareness of the U.S. political system and enhance their leadership skills. CHCI Fellowships are available to recent college graduates and currently enrolled graduate students. Summer internships are available for undergraduates. Fellows seek placements in congressional offices and federal agencies, advocacy groups, the media, and a broad range of policy-related organizations, depending on individual interests. College graduate applicants should have received a Bachelor's degree within the last 12 months. Graduate students who apply must be currently enrolled in an accredited university and be working toward a graduate degree in public policy or a related field. This program provides round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C., medical coverage, and a monthly stipend of $1,550. Summer interns are provided with university housing. Applicants must demonstrate active commmunity involvement through public service; have excellent communication and analytical skills; an interest in pursuing a career in public policy; and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a four point scale.

Coro Public Affairs Fellowships
A nine-month, graduate level, full-time experience-based leadership training program in public affairs. Fellows study public policy and decision-making by working with individuals and institutions that influence life in public, private, and non-profit sectors. Applicants must have demonstrated leadership potential and commitment to public service. Graduating seniors may apply. Programs offered in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh. National application deadline is usually early January. Interested seniors, contact Coro Fellows Program web site for contact information for specific programs and general application materials and forms.

The Governor's Fellowship (Indiana)
The program provides a 12-month training experience in Indiana State government. Governor's Fellows are assigned on a rotating basis to various state agencies, where they observe, participate in daily activities of government, and work on special projects. Fellows are paired with mentors and participate in seminars and field trips with top policy makers.

Governor's Fellows work in a variety of agencies including the Governor's Office, the Lt. Governor's Office, the Office of the First Lady, the Indiana State Police, the State Budget Agency, the Departments of Environmental Management, Administration, Commerce, Health and Natural Resources. The Governor's Fellowship Program is open to college graduates who received their bachelor's degrees in Fall of 2003 and to seniors who will obtain their degrees in the Spring of 2004. Preference is given to Indiana residents. Governor's Fellows receive a competitive salary (approximately $22,000) plus full fringe benefits during the fellowship year. The program takes place during the fiscal year, which runs from July 1st to June 30th of each year.

The Humanity In Action Foundation
The Foundation sponsors an integrated set of educational programs for university students and post-graduates in America, Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands. Through the core education programs and internships, the Foundation works to fulfill its mission to engage student leaders in the study and work of human rights:

--To engage younger generations in histories of resistance and inspire them to fulfill their moral responsibilities to protect those in danger from institutionalized violations of minority rights.

--To strengthen the commitment of American and European university students to democratic values and foster their knowledge of resistance to intolerance-past and present. The core programs provide the fundamental foundation and experience for participation in HIA. During the five-week period, the international groups of HIA Fellows explore the minority issues basic to the HIA mission and enter the extensive HIA network. During this period Fellows research and write reports and prepare to engage in outreach after the core programs are over.

The associations with other Fellows and the immersion in the minority issues provides common experiences for all the Fellows-experiences that aid the development of careers based upon concern for human rights and the protection of minorities.

One of HIA's major goals is to encourage the Fellows to stay connected to the Foundation and to each other after participating in the core programs in Europe and the United States. As part of that goal, HIA arranges for internships in the areas of human rights and minority issues. Please note that only students who have participated in the HIA summer program are eligible to apply for internships.

NYC Urban Fellows Program
The New York City Urban Fellows Program offers aspiring public policymakers the opportunity to grapple first hand with contemporary urban issues. This prestigious nine-month program combines full-time employment in City government with a comprehensive seminar series exploring the mechanics of local government, as well as important issues facing the City. Urban Fellows work in virtually every area, from the budget process to agency operations, low income housing to affordable health care, and education to economic development.

Fellows receive a $25,000 stipend for the nine months, and health insurance. Housing is not included. Components of Urban Fellows Program include weekly seminars and symposia. The Fellows typically meet with State and Federal lawmakers, agency heads, and government officials.

All students who are interested in pursuing a career in government and public service are encouraged to apply regardless of academic major or previous field of training. To be eligible for consideration as a candidate, individuals must be recent college graduates, no more than two years out of college, and be willing to commit to full-time employment during the course of the program.

Public Allies
Allies work four days each week for ten months at a local nonprofit organization to strengthen the community by working in areas such as youth development, community development, public health, and economic development. Allies also participate in
weekly workshops led by local community and civic leaders that teach skills such as public speaking, conflict resolution, group facilitation, positive youth development, community building, and media relations. Each Ally is provided a monthly stipend - as
well as an educational grant that can be used to pay off student loans or for graduate education. Various deadlines at several sites across the county.

The Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
The program provides college graduates the opportunity to work in Washington, DC, with a public-interest organization focusing on arms control and international security issues. The fellowship is offered twice yearly, in the spring and fall. It lasts from six to nine months and provides a stipend, health insurance, and travel costs to Washington. The Scoville Fellowship does not award grant or scholarship money to students. Scoville Fellows may undertake a variety of activities, including research, writing, and organizing in support of the goals of their host organization and may attend coalition meetings, policy briefings, and Congressional hearings. They have written fact sheets, letters to the editor, opeds, magazine articles, briefing books and reports; organized talks and conferences, and been interviewed as experts by the media. Many former Scoville Fellows are hired either by their host organization or another group dealing with peace and security issues following their fellowships.

Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights internships.
The Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Center for Human Rights (CHR) implements the vision of RFK by promoting the full spectrum of human rights both in the United States and throughout the world. The Center develops and carries out projects which enhance and complement the work of the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award laureates and that promote social change. Interns will be asked to perform a variety of tasks in order to help with the Advocacy Team, such as: researching and draft memoranda on the human rights situation in countries of interest to the Center and on thematic issues (for example, the human right to health, the right to development, etc.); preparing documents for submission to government or U.N. officials; attending and reporting on briefings, Congressional hearings, symposia and other meetings; monitoring sources of information on countries and issues of concern to the Center; and collecting, organizing and analyzing relevant information. Applicants must have completed at least one year of undergraduate school and have a demonstrated interest in human rights. Ability in one of the following languages is helpful, but not required: Arabic, Bahasa Indonesian, French, Haitian Creole, or Spanish. Internships are unpaid.

Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellows Program
The program enables democracy activists, practitioners, scholars, and journalists from around the world to deepen their understanding of democracy and enhance their ability to promote democratic change. The program is intended primarily to support activists, practitioners, and scholars from new and aspiring democracies; distinguished scholars from the United States and other established democracies are also eligible to apply. Projects may focus on a range of methodologies and approaches. A working knowledge of English is an important prerequisite.

Villers Fellowship for Health Care Justice
Year long fellowship at the office of Families USA in Washington, DC. Villers fellows will be given the opportunity to work on a variety of health care justice issues during their fellowship. In addition, in order to further the development of future progressive leaders, each Villers fellow will commit to mentoring at least one person at some point over the course of his or her career.

Virginia Governor's Fellows Program
Qualified applicants must be graduating college seniors or enrolled as degree candidates in a graduate or professional school. Applicants must be enrolled in a Virginia college or university or must be a Virginia resident if enrolled in an out-of-state institution. They must also have a demonstrated commitment to excellence in academics, proven leadership ability, and involvement in extracurricular activities and community service. The selection of Fellows will be based solely on merit, without regard to race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or political affiliation. Fellows will be required to work full-time in Virginia state government. Participants are placed in different positions throughout the Governor's Office and in various agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction. The program attempts to match Fellows with compatible assignments according to background, interests and future goals. Application deadline is usually late February.

Wellstone Fellowship for Social Justice
The Wellstone Fellowship is a yearlong, full-time, salaried position that will begin in September. The fellow will be engaged in health care advocacy work in Families USA's office in Washington, DC where he or she will learn about Medicare, Medicaid, efforts to achieve universal coverage, and other important health policy issues.

White House Fellows Program
Founded in 1964, the White House Fellows Program is one of America's most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. White House Fellows typically spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials. Fellows also participate in an education program consisting of roundtable discussions with renowned leaders from the private and public sectors, and trips to study U.S. policy in action both domestically and internationally. In return for the privilege of participating in the Fellowship year, Fellows are expected to repay the privilege by contributing to the Nation as future leaders.