Student Internships and Fellowships - Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom

August Applications

Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, First Liberty Fellowship (fully funded, apply by August)—The First Liberty Fellowship is ideal for high achieving undergraduate and graduate students who aspire to work for federal, state, or local governments, as well as those who want to pursue a career related to public policy, lobbying, or think tank research. Join like-minded leaders for an immersive, all-expenses paid trip to our nation’s capitol and learn how to use your talents in service to our republic.

The Heritage Foundation, The Academy (fully funded, apply by mid-April (summer) or early August (fall))—The Academy is a virtual educational and leadership program that is crafted to educate students, young professionals, and civic leaders on the foundational principles of American political thought and the important policy debates facing our country. This program is designed to increase leadership capabilities and to help participants engage more meaningfully in their communities and more confidently in policy debates.

September Applications

Declaration of Independence Center for the Study of American Freedom, Freedom Fellow (stipend, apply by September)—Each year, the Declaration of Independence Center sponsors a number of student Freedom Fellows. Fellows work to promote an academic campus culture that encourages reflection on the meaning, value, and legacy of American freedom.

Media Research Center, Internship (stipend, apply by mid-May (fall), mid-September (summer))—The MRC’s paid internship is the premier program for students looking to advance their career in conservative media. Interns work alongside industry professionals to play an active role in accomplishing the MRC’s mission: expose and neutralize bias in the media. Open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent grads.

October Applications

Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, Savanah Seminar (fully funded, apply by October)—The CRCD’s Savannah Seminar provides students the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics related to the American founding, democratic ideals, and the important role that religious ideas and institutions play in the development of free and flourishing societies. The Savannah Seminar is designed primarily for upper-level undergraduate students, although outstanding recent graduates and other students are welcome to apply.

John Jay Institute, John Jay Fellows Program (fully funded, apply by April, October)—The John Jay Fellows Program constitutes a semester-long fellowship-in-residence at our campus in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Each class of 12 Fellows grapple with readings and topics from interdisciplinary studies in theology, philosophy, ethics, history, politics, culture, and jurisprudence. The John Jay fellowship program is intended to prepare recent college graduates for careers in public service, whether they take shape in the public, non-profit, or for-profit spheres.

November Applications

Cato Institute, Cato Institute Internships (stipend, apply by mid-February (summer), mid-November (spring))—Cato’s paid internships are for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who have a strong commitment to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that, taken together, constitute libertarianism, known alternately as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, just “liberalism.”

December Applications

Partnership for Public Service, Rosenthal Fellowship (stipend, apply by December)—The Rosenthal Fellowship is a prestigious program that offers our country’s most outstanding and civic-minded graduate students in international affairs the opportunity to spend a summer working to solve some of our biggest national and global challenges. Interested students must ask their career or placement office for an application.

Institute for Justice, Dave Kennedy Fellowship (stipend, apply by December)—The Institute for Justice recruits only the most talented law students from across the country for its summer fellowship program. The program offers an unparalleled professional opportunity to substantively contribute to active and future strategic litigation in both state and federal courts.

Gingrich 360, Internship (stipend, apply by early December (spring), late April (summer), late July (fall))—Gingrich 360 offers internship opportunities for college students, graduate students, and recent graduates. As part of this once in a lifetime experience, interns will explore the world of Gingrich 360 – where politics, history, and media intersect. Interns will gain invaluable career experience by learning firsthand from Speaker Gingrich, Ambassador Gingrich, and the Gingrich 360 team, while conducting research, drafting briefings, producing content for documentary films, podcasts and social media, and attending meetings.

January Applications

Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Graduate Fellowship (scholarship, apply by mid-January)—Learn how you can apply for one of ISI’s prestigious graduate fellowships. Receive up to $15,000 in funding and join a community of more than five hundred alumni now teaching in higher education.

February Applications

American Enterprise Institute, Summer Honors Program (fully funded, apply by February)—The American Enterprise Institute’s Summer Honors Program is an intensive, fully-funded educational and professional development opportunity in Washington, DC, for top undergraduate students of diverse ideological backgrounds. Participants in the program have the chance to connect with the ideas, research, and network of AEI, one of America’s preeminent policy think tanks.

Claremont Institute, The Publius Fellowship (fully funded, apply by mid-February)—Every summer, the Claremont Institute brings together a selective group of promising young conservatives (college grads to young professionals) to study the distinctive moral and political principles of the American constitutional order. In over forty intensive daily seminars and relaxed evening symposia, Publius Fellows discuss political philosophy and American government with distinguished scholars.

The Heritage Foundation, Young Leaders Program (stipend, apply by early February (summer), early July (fall))—The Young Leaders Program promotes the mission of The Heritage Foundation to the next generation by developing and implementing outreach to younger audiences. Interns work on outreach programs as well as attend seminars and network with the nation’s leading policy-makers. Open to college juniors through graduate students.

Institute for Justice, Strategic Research Internship (stipend, apply by late February)—The Institute for Justice seeks a highly motivated undergraduate student or recent graduate with an interest in social science and policy research to join IJ as a paid strategic research intern. IJ’s strategic research program is a unique initiative combining high-quality social science and policy research with IJ’s cutting-edge litigation. The ideal candidate has facility in exploring online databases and data sources, the ability to create and manipulate spreadsheets, and persistence and good judgment in soliciting information and data from state and non-profit agencies.

Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Journalism Internship (stipend, apply by early February)—ISI places students who are seriously considering a journalism career in positions that offer writing opportunities at some of the nation’s leading publications. Their paid summer internships provide current college students with the opportunity to explore a media career for ten weeks.

March Applications

Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, Shaftesbury Fellowship (stipend, apply by March)—The Shaftesbury Fellowship is a highly selective summer-long fellowship for upper level undergraduate students and recent graduates who intend to pursue graduate study in any field related to the advance of liberty.

Hertog Foundation, Summer Fellowship (fully funded, apply by March)—The Hertog Foundation offers several highly competitive and selective educational programs for outstanding individuals who seek to influence the intellectual, civic, and political life of the United States. They offer programs in three main areas: Political Thought & Philosophy; War & Foreign Affairs; and Economics & Domestic Policy.

The Fund for American Studies, Summer Program (scholarships available, apply by March)—TFAS is looking for undergraduate students who want to make a difference in the world and are excited to spend a summer or semester studying and interning in the Nation’s Capital. They welcome students from all majors and backgrounds.

Claremont Institute, The John Marshall Fellowship (fully funded, apply by mid-March)—A one-week program teaching the natural law jurisprudence of the American Founding to the next generation of legal thinkers and practitioners.

Institute for Justice, Legal Intensive (stipend, apply by early March)—Institute for Justice Legal Intensives are intended to supplement the legal theory and skills that students learn in the classroom. The experts at IJ will teach attendees about public interest law and how to take what students have learned so far in law school and put it into action.

Mercatus Center, Smith Fellowship (scholarship, apply by mid-March)—The Adam Smith Fellowship is a co-sponsored program of the Mercatus Center and Liberty Fund, Inc. Adam Smith Fellowships are awarded to graduate students attending PhD programs at any university and in any discipline, including but not limited to economics, philosophy, political science, and sociology.

Mercatus Center, Bastiat Fellowship (stipend, apply by mid-March)—The Frédéric Bastiat Fellowship is a one-year, competitive fellowship program awarded to graduate students attending master’s, juris doctoral, and doctoral programs in a variety of fields including economics, law, political science, and public policy. The aim of this fellowship is to introduce students to the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy as academic foundations for contemporary policy analysis, policy-relevant academic research, and other applied topics.

Mercatus Center, Morgenstern Fellowship (stipend, apply by mid-March)—The Oskar Morgenstern Fellowship is a one-year, competitive fellowship program awarded to graduate students with training in quantitative methods who are attending PhD programs from any university in a variety of fields including economics, political science and sociology. The aim of this fellowship is to expose students to strategies for utilizing quantitative techniques to explore key questions and themes advanced in the Austrian, Virginia, and Bloomington schools of political economy.

Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Journalism Fellowship (stipend, apply by early March)—ISI places students who are seriously considering a journalism career in positions that offer writing opportunities at some of the nation’s leading publications. Their yearlong fellowships provide recent graduates who are looking to begin their careers in media with a full year of professional journalism experience.

The Fund for American Studies, Academic Internship Programs (scholarships available, apply by mid-March)—The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) hosts Washington, DC-based and virtual Academic Internship Programs for undergraduate students each summer, fall and spring. TFAS programs include academic credit from George Mason University, an internship placement and furnished housing in the heart of Washington, D.C. Students participate in a variety of exclusive guest lectures, site briefings as well as professional development and networking events.

Cicero Institute, Undergraduate Summer Fellowship Program (stipend, mid-March)—The Cicero Institute seeks talented undergraduates or non-traditional students to apply for a summer fellowship in Austin, Texas. Available fellowships include Healthcare and Education Policy, Tax and Regulatory Policy, and External Relations. Fellows will be immersed in Cicero’s uniquely entrepreneurial culture, which empowers people at every level of the organization to take on self-driven projects, author pieces for publications, and meaningfully contribute to the success of the Cicero Institute’s mission.

American Enterprise Institute, 1789 Fellowship in American Political Thought & Modern Practice (stipend, apply by mid-March)—The American Enterprise Institute’s inaugural 1789 Fellowship will provide 15 graduate students and early career professionals the opportunity to study political theory and public policy with prominent scholars and professors from AEI and partner organizations. The 2022 Fellowship features seminars and roundtable discussions that examine documents of the American Founding, speeches and writings of Abraham Lincoln, selections from Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, and current commentary on American domestic and international politics.

April Applications

Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society, Scholarship (scholarship, apply by April)—Phi Beta Kappa’s newest program, Key into Public Service, highlights the wide range of opportunities for liberal arts graduates to pursue rewarding careers in local, state, or federal government. The Society will award Service Scholars with a $5,000 undergraduate scholarship and participation in a virtual conference in the summer. First-year students and graduating seniors are NOT eligible.

James Wilson Institute, James Wilson Fellowship (stipend, apply by late April)—Professor Hadley Arkes, joined by other distinguished scholars, will offer an in-person seminar over six days in Historic Old Town Alexandria, VA, on Natural Law and its bearing on our jurisprudence. The Institute will make a place for about 15 Fellows who are law students, clerks, or lawyers and legal academics no more than 8 years since graduated from law school.

Mercatus Center, Don Lavoie Fellowship (stipend, apply by mid April)—The Don Lavoie Fellowship is a competitive, renewable, and online fellowship program for advanced undergraduates, recent graduates considering graduate school, and early-stage graduate students. The aim of this fellowship is to expose students, from any discipline, to the key ideas in political economy and how to utilize them in academic and policy research.

North Mississippi VISTA Project, McLean Institute for Public Service and Community Engagement (stipend, apply by early April)—The North Mississippi VISTA Project (NMVP) is seeking undergraduate students and recent graduates for paid full-time summer and yearlong terms of service to fight poverty and build capacity for Title I school districts and non-profit organizations working to improve quality of life in Mississippi. While building valuable professional development skills, VISTA members work on projects that support educational attainment, economic opportunity, and healthy lifestyles.

May Applications

Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Honors Scholar (fully funded, apply by May)—The ISI Honors Program is a highly selective undergraduate fellowship that takes you deep into the traditions of liberty. It’s an intellectually immersive experience like no other, exploring a wide range of topics from top scholars.

Witherspoon Institute, Summer Seminars and Internships (not funded, apply by May)—Witherspoon’s Summer Seminars are a series of intense courses that examine different areas of human knowledge using the insights of the western ethical tradition, including the theory of natural law. Open to undergraduate and graduate students as well as recent grads.

John Jay Institute, Saratoga Fellows Program (fully funded, apply by May)—The John Jay Institute’s Saratoga Fellows Program is the leadership “topoff” that best prepares young military officers to live out their faith in a thoughtful, compelling and winsome way while serving their country in uniform. For those officers wanting to positively influence military culture for the good of the nation, this program is an unparalleled experience.

Acton Institute, Acton University (scholarships available, apply by mid-May)—Acton University is not your typical conference. It’s a four-day celebration with hundreds of your newest liberty-loving friends from all over the world. Each day is packed with thought-provoking presentations on the intellectual foundations of a free society.

Hillsdale College Steve and Amy Van Andel Graduate School of Government (scholarships available, apply by mid-May)—Students are educated in the first principles of politics and how they apply in practice to the perennial challenge of restoring constitutional self-government in the United States. Consistent with Hillsdale’s mission and established liberal arts curriculum, the graduate school offers a Master of Arts in Government focused on the consideration and practice of those liberal arts that are required for truly just and excellent government.

June Applications

Competitive Enterprise Institute, Annual Policy Summit (not funded, apply by early June)—The CEI Summit is an annual destination conference featuring CEI experts and guest speakers. The Summit is a private, invitation-only event for CEI friends and supporters.

July Applications

Rolling Applications

Mississippi Center for Public Policy, Leadership Academy (free to attend, rolling application)—The Mississippi Leadership Academy is a six-part program designed to equip college student leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective change-agents in our state. Upon graduation, students will have made connections with student peers, as well as our states’ preeminent thought leaders, and will graduate better prepared to defend American principles, enter the workforce, and lead.

American Enterprise Institute, American Enterprise Institute Internships (stipend, rolling application)—AEI internships provide students with an opportunity to work directly with some of America’s most renowned scholars, economists, political scientists, and foreign policy specialists conducting research on today’s prominent public policy questions. The Institute provides an intellectually stimulating environment, rich with critical thinking, scholarship, and lively debate. Open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates.

Americans for Tax Reform, ATR Internship Program (stipend, rolling application)—Americans for Tax Reform offers the chance for undergraduate and graduate students to work alongside some of the best political advocates in Washington, as well as the opportunity for increasing responsibility. Interns are assigned to work on policy issues side by side with members of our staff. As a key part of the ATR team, interns work on projects such as the Taxpayer Protection Pledge (both federal and state candidates pledge not to raise taxes) and tax battles across the country.

Institute for Justice, Development Intern (stipend, rolling admissions)—The Institute for Justice seeks a trustworthy, detail-oriented intern to assist with a variety of fundraising tasks. Main responsibilities will include assisting in processing donations and sending acknowledgment letters, as well as conducting donor research, writing various materials associated with IJ’s mission, and more. Interns will not only get an inside look at how a nonprofit manages a $25 million fundraising operation, but gain valuable experience in a fun, fast-paced office environment that protects Americans’ civil liberties.

Institute for Justice, Arthur D. Hellman Fellowship in Public Interest Law (stipend, rolling admissions)—The Institute for Justice seeks highly motivated undergraduate students interested in the legal field to intern at IJ as Arthur D. Hellman Fellows in Public Interest Law. Fellows receive substantive projects throughout their time at IJ and work full time alongside our summer law students at IJ’s headquarters in Arlington, VA. Fellows are invited to participate in all of the summer programming and activities offered to the law students.

Institute for Justice, Maffuci Fellowship (stipend, rolling admissions)—The Institute for Justice seeks paid interns for its Maffucci Fellowship program, which offers unique experience on the front lines of the fight for liberty. Fellows work closely with IJ’s activism and coalitions team, assisting with exciting research projects, helping track controversies and legislation across the country, and providing valuable administrative support to staff on a variety of tasks.

Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute, Student Leadership Program (scholarships available, rolling admissions)—SLP is a week-long hands-on learning experience that engages students of all leadership levels in innovative and rewarding ways. They offer a variety of program options to fit your needs: virtual, onsite day program at the Reagan Library, and an overnight camp at Pepperdine University.

National Journalism Center, National Journalism Center Program (stipend, rolling admissions)—Since 1977, the National Journalism Center has trained aspiring conservative journalists in the values of responsible, balanced, and accurate reporting. Weekly seminars and on-the-job experience provide participants with the tools to become leaders in combating bias in the mainstream media. Open to undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent grads.

Hillsdale College, Internship (paid, application rolling)—Interns for Hillsdale in D.C. assist in the pursuit of the College’s mission in the nation’s capital: to teach the Constitution, the debate that brought it to life, and the principles that give it meaning. Hillsdale in D.C. offers full-time, paid internships to current students of other undergraduate institutions. Internship dates are flexible, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.