The Daniel K. Akaka Congressional Fellowship (formerly the Native Hawaiian Congressional Fellowship) is an opportunity for emerging ʻōiwi leaders to shape society through a paid 9-month fellowship in Washington, D.C. congressional offices. Through a close partnership between the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kamehameha Schools, and the Members of the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation, fellows will gain practical insight into the inner workings of the Federal Government and influence over decisions that affect the Native Hawaiian community.
The program consists of three components:
The fellowship is designed to foster the conditions for self-determined political, economic, and social development in our lāhui by empowering aspiring leaders to make positive advances in their lives and in our community.
The program lasts nine months, beginning in Summer 2020. Exact dates will be negotiated between Fellow and the host office.
Applicants must earn an undergraduate degree prior to the program start date.
Applicants are urged to demonstrate a connection to, and working knowledge of, the Native Hawaiian community, as well as a desire to be of service to the lāhui.
Send a cover letter, resume, transcript, three references, and a 3-5 page writing sample in PDF format to publicservice@oha.org. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. Deadline to apply is 11:59 PM HST on February 2, 2020.
Please refer any questions to the OHA’s Washington D.C. Bureau by phone: (202) 506-7238, or email: publicservice@oha.org.
The Native American Political Leadership Program (NAPLP) is a full-scholarship program designed to give Native undergraduate and graduate students the chance to participate in the Semester in Washington Politics program.
NAPLP scholarships are awarded to students based on academic ability, leadership potential, and an interest in politics. There is no application fee for those applying for the NAPLP scholarship.
Open to undergraduate and graduate students, including those who have completed their undergraduate degree but have not yet enrolled in a graduate program.
Website: http://semesterinwashington.gwu.edu/naplp
The INSPIRE Pre-College Program is a full scholarship open to Native Hawaiian, American Indian, and Alaska Native rising junior and senior high school students, including 2016 anticipated graduates, who want to spend 3-weeks on the George Washington University (GW) campus to learn about intergovernmental relations between tribal governments and the federal government. The program is a full-day experiential undergraduate course, Native Politics and the American Political System, taught by GW faculty, which will offer opportunities for students to meet and interview influential Native advocates who work in Washington, D.C.
As an added bonus, INSPIRE students live on campus and participate in recreational programs with the community of high school students enrolled in GW Pre-College programs.
INSPIRE scholarships are awarded to students based on evidence of academic ability, leadership potential, and an interest in public service. Students from all tribes and from every part of the United States are welcome to apply.
There is no application fee. The INSPIRE Pre-College Program is spearheaded by the Native American Political Leadership Program (NAPLP) at (GW) and made possible by a generous contribution from AT&T.
NOTE: While credit bearing courses are typically transferable to other institutions, please check specific university policies.
We encourage you to submit your application through the online system. The following list contains required supporting documents that may be submitted seperately:
All application materials must be received by March 1, 2016. There are a variety of convenient ways for you to submit the required documents:
Website: http://inspire.naplp.gwu.edu/inspire-pre-college-application
Undergraduate students and recent graduates get the opportunity to work in Washington, DC and experience American politics and public policy. APAICS Interns are placed in U.S. Congressional offices, federal agencies, or partner Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) non-profit organizations. The program develops leadership and professional skills, encourages political and civic engagement, and fosters a strong interest in public service careers.
APAICS Summer Internship Program provides a $2,000 stipend and a round-trip flight within the continental U.S. sponsored by Southwest Airlines (limited additional support is made available on a case by case basis).
Must be currently enrolled in an accredited two-year or four-year undergraduate educational institution. Recent graduates are also welcome to apply.
The 8 week summer internship begins around June 13
January 29
Website: http://apaics.org/summer-interns/
The APAICS Congressional Fellowship program offers full-time legislative and public policy fellowships in Washington, D.C. The Fellowship provides exceptional graduates and young professionals an opportunity to work on policy issues as staff members of a congressional office. The program aims to build leadership skills, encourage political civic engagement, and foster a strong interest in public service careers.
Program stipend and complimentary roundtrip airline ticket sponsored by Southwest Airlines.
Applicants must have completed a Masters Degree or post-graduate degree in STEM field prior to the program start date and have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
1 year. Check back in Winter 2015 for 2016-2017 General Application.
Website: http://apaics.org/congressional-fellows/
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Washington, D.C., offers full-time internships during the spring, summer, and fall. Interns at the Initiative are responsible for assisting the staff on a wide range of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) issues and priorities, including capacity-building, civil rights, data disaggregation, economic development, education, health, immigration, language access, and workforce diversity. In addition, interns will help write policy memos and proposals, draft blogs, assist with communications and social media, coordinate and staff events, and conduct outreach to national and local AAPI organizations and leaders.
Applicants for intern positions must be undergraduates or graduate students who are enrolled at least half-time.
Website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/aapi/internships
The Champions for Change Program (CFC) was created by the Center for Native American Youth (CNAY) as an effort to shine a spotlight on incredible stories of youth who are tackling issues that are impacting their communities and inspiring other young people through their leadership.
Each year, CNAY invites Native youth who have initiated programs, events, or have made other efforts to improve the lives of fellow youth to apply and share their stories of service.
Those selected will serve a two-year term on CNAY’s Youth Advisory Board and will receive:
Youth ages 14-22
March – Champions travel to Washington, DC for recognition events
Around January 11
Website: http://cnay.org/Champions_for_Change.html
Each summer, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s (CCAI) Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program™ allows current and former foster youth to spend 2 months in Washington, D.C. interning for a Member of the United States Congress and writing a policy report that is presented at briefings to Congress and the White House. The FYI Program began in 2003 as an effort to raise awareness to federal policymakers about the needs and
unique perspectives of young adults who spent time in foster care. CCAI organizes retreats, advocacy trainings and various networking opportunities with experts in child welfare, government and business. As a result of the program, federal policymakers learn firsthand the experiences of youth in foster care and go on to use their new knowledge to inspire legislative change.
May 31- July 29
January 7
Website: http://www.ccainstitute.org/
The Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge in partnership with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) has created professional career development and internships for Native Hawaiian Graduate and Professional School students at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. The internships will take place over nine weeks with an initial three weeks in Hawaiʻi and subsequent six weeks in Washington D.C.
Based on academic and professional interests, students have the opportunity to intern with one of the following agencies:
Travel, housing and a living stipend will be provided.
For more information, contact the OHA Washington D.C. Bureau at (202) 506-7238.
