Internships and Fellowships: Congressional, Federal, and Other Work Experience Opportunities

Internships and Fellowships: Congressional, Federal, and Other Work Experience Opportunities

Order Code 98-654 C
Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Internships and Fellowships:
Congressional, Federal, and Other
Work Experience Opportunities
Updated January 28, 2003
Susan Watkins Greenfield
Information Research Specialist
Information Research Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

Internships and Fellowships: Congressional, Federal,
and Other Work Experience Opportunities
Summary
To assist congressional offices in responding to requests for information about
internships, fellowships, and other work experience programs, CRS has prepared this
report on congressional internships, as well as internships in the federal government’s
executive and judicial branches. This report provides names of organizations, like
the American Association for the Advancement of Science, which sponsors
fellowships on Capitol Hill. This report lists Internet sites on internships and
fellowships, such as the Smithsonian Institution’s Web site on internships. At the
end is a list of books with additional sources of information on internships,
fellowships, and summer jobs. These publications can be used to identify additional
work experience opportunities inside and outside the federal government. This report
will be updated at least yearly.

Contents
Congressional Internships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) Congressional Intern Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Other Internships in Members’ Offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Internships in Congressional Committees and Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Congressional Internships Offered by Universities and Private
Organizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Internships in Congressional Support Agencies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Other Federal Government Internships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Fellowships in the Federal Government . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Electronic Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Internships and Fellowships: Congressional,
Federal, and Other Work Experience
Opportunities
In response to many requests about congressional internships, other federal
government internships, and congressional, judicial, and presidential fellowships, we
compiled this report. Included is a guide to more sources of information on
internships, fellowships, and summer jobs that can be used to locate other work
experiences inside and outside the federal government. The publications listed may
be purchased, or they may be available for use in local libraries or high school or
college guidance offices.
Although the terms “fellowship” and “internship” are sometimes used
interchangeably in the names of specific programs, this report differentiates between
fellowship and internship work experiences in the federal government. Fellowships
generally are intended for persons with advanced degrees or substantial professional
experience and are usually salaried positions lasting 9 months to a year or more.
Internships, which are either salaried or volunteer short-term arrangements, usually
require relatively little experience and are often filled by students. In addition, some
programs which are called internships do not actually place persons in federal jobs.
Any such programs described below are distinguished from internship programs
which provide federal work experience.
Applying for an internship or fellowship is similar to applying for admission to
a college or university. Check directories to see what programs are available (see the
“Bibliography” section below); decide what type of internship or fellowship might
be of interest; then write or telephone the sponsor for more information and an
application. Because competition is stiff in many internship and fellowship
programs, with applicants often greatly exceeding the number of positions available,
one should apply to more than one program.
Congressional Internships
Congressional internships are available both through Members of Congress and
private organizations, and they are extremely competitive. Members of the House
of Representatives and the Senate, congressional committees, and other congressional
groups such as caucuses and study groups may appoint a person to their regular staffs
and designate that person as an intern, or volunteers may be designated as interns.
The duties, responsibilities, and salaries (if any) of interns vary from office to
office. Some interns are given routine office positions as clerks or messengers, while
those in other offices may conduct legislative research.

CRS-2
LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) Congressional Intern Program
In 1973, H.Res. 420 created the term “LBJ Congressional Intern,” and
authorized each Representative to hire up to two LBJ interns per year. However, it
did not require Representatives to use this title when hiring interns. In May 1994, the
program was suspended due to reductions in legislative branch employment levels.
However, Representatives can still sponsor unpaid interns who work on a
voluntary basis. Volunteers are not counted on the House payroll and do not
contribute to overall employment levels. Some Representatives may pay interns out
of their regular office budgets. This option is only possible if a Representative has
not already reached the limit of 22 staffers and has funds available. No ceiling is
placed on the number of staff hired in Senate offices, so each may have any number
of people.
Other Internships in Members’ Offices
Internships are available in many Members’ offices. Application for an
internship in a specific Member’s office should be made through the individual
Senator or Representative. Members of Congress should be addressed as follows:
Honorable __________
Honorable __________
U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 224-3121 (ask for Member)
Inquiries may also be addressed to congressional district offices. These
addresses can be located in standard reference sources such as the Congressional
Directory, which is available in many libraries and at this Internet address:
[http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/browse-cd-02.html].
Internships in Congressional Committees and Organizations
Application for an internship with a congressional committee, an informal
congressional group, or a legislative party organization should be made to the body
or to individual Members of the committee or organization. Congressional
committees and organizations are addressed as follows:
[Name of committee, etc.]
[Name of committee, etc.]
U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20510
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 224-3121 (ask for committee or organization)

CRS-3
Several congressional committees and caucuses that have longstanding intern
programs are listed below:
! House Committee on the Budget;
! House Democratic Caucus;
! House Republican Policy Committee;
! Republican Policy Committee (Senate); and
! Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Other congressional bodies may also have internship opportunities available.
Congressional committees and organizations covering various subject areas can be
identified in such reference sources as the Congressional Directory (Washington,
GPO); the Congressional Staff Directory (Washington, CQ Press); the Congressional
Yellow Book (Washington, Leadership Directories); and the Washington Information
Directory (Washington, CQ Press). For information on congressional caucuses,
study groups, and other informal congressional organizations, the Congressional
Yellow Book is particularly useful. One or more of these reference works can be
consulted in many local public or research libraries.
Congressional Internships Offered by Universities and
Private Organizations
In addition to internships available directly from Members of Congress and
congressional committees, various universities, colleges, and private organizations
offer programs which place interns in congressional offices. Some of these programs
also place interns in other federal government agencies. Students should check with
their own colleges and universities to see if they operate congressional intern
programs. School placement offices can be useful sources of such listings, along
with electronic bulletin boards or Web sites.
Internships in Congressional Support Agencies
The three congressional support agencies listed below offer internships. Interns
are not placed in congressional offices, but instead work in these organizations,
which provide research support and information to the Congress.
Congressional Budget Office
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provides Congress with budget-related
information and explains possible budget ramifications of proposed bills reported by
congressional committees. College students and recent college graduates can apply
for paid 10-week summer internships in which they would work on analyses in
CBO’s various divisions.
Congressional Budget Office
410 Ford House Office Building
Second and D Streets, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20515
Tel: (202) 226-2628
[http://www.cbo.gov/jobs.shtml]

CRS-4
Congressional Research Service
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a legislative branch research
agency which provides information upon request to Members and committees.
Volunteer interns assist CRS staff in responding to public policy related inquiries.
This program is open to college undergraduates, graduate students, post-graduate
students, faculty, and other professionals.
Bernevia McCalip
Office of Workforce Development
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress
101 Independence Avenue, S.E., LM-209
Washington, D.C. 20540-7100
Tel: (202) 707-7781
[http://www.loc.gov/crsinfo]
General Accounting Office
The General Accounting Office (GAO) is a congressional auditing and
investigative agency that makes recommendations for more effective government
operations. College students may be selected to serve as paid or volunteer interns for
up to 16 weeks.
General Accounting Office
Office of Recruitment, Room 1165
441 G Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20548
Tel: (202) 512-4900
[http://www.gao.gov]
Other Federal Government Internships
Federal agency internships are very popular and highly competitive. Many
agencies hire seasonal employees for the summer. Those seeking such jobs should
realize that hiring in federal agencies is decentralized, which means that each agency
generally hires staff through its own personnel office. Candidates should identify
agencies appropriate to their interests by using standard reference directories, and
apply directly to the appropriate personnel offices.
Students working toward undergraduate or graduate degrees, technical school
certificates, or high school diplomas are eligible for the U.S. Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) Student Educational Employment Program, which provides
federal job opportunities to students through the Student Temporary Employment
Program (STEP) and the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). For more
information on either program, students should contact their school’s guidance office
or the career planning and placement office or the employment office in the federal
agency in which the student is interested in working. Additional information on
STEP and SCEP is available on the OPM Web site at
[http://www.opm.gov/employ/students/intro.htm].

CRS-5
In July 2000, OPM announced a new Federal Career Intern Program.
Established by Executive Order 13162, this program is designed to help agencies
recruit and attract highly qualified people into various occupations. It is intended for
positions at grade levels GS-5, GS-7, and GS-9. Generally, people are appointed to
two-year internships. After successfully completing the internship, the intern may
be eligible for a permanent job within an agency. Those interested in Career Intern
opportunities must contact specific agencies directly. Additional details about the
program are available on the OPM Web site at
[http://www.opm.gov/careerintern/index.htm].
The ninth annual edition of internship opportunities in the federal government
for undergraduate, graduate, and law students is available at the Web site
[http://www.house.gov/watt/intern03.htm].
Other established internship programs within the federal government can be
found by using publications listed in the bibliography. However, persons can also
“create” internships by contacting relevant federal offices and inquiring about
internship possibilities. Contact information for government departments and
agencies and information about them appear in the United States Government
Manual (Washington, GPO). This work is available in many libraries and on the
GAO Web site at [http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/browse-gm-02.html].
Other useful resources include the Washington Information Directory
(Washington, CQ Press), the Federal Yellow Book (Washington, Leadership
Directories); the Federal Staff Directory and Judicial Staff Directory (Washington,
CQ Press); and Carroll’s Federal Directory and Carroll’s Federal Regional
Directory (Bethesda, MD, Carroll Publishing). Detailed subject and keyword
indexes in these works help in identifying government offices in specific subject
fields and professions. One or more of the directories can often be used in larger
libraries. Persons interested in setting up internships should contact the relevant
federal offices directly.
Fellowships in the Federal Government
The following selected programs place fellowship recipients, generally for one-
year terms, in congressional offices, federal agencies, or the U.S. Supreme Court.
Congressional programs predominate in the listing; placement is in Member or
committee offices unless otherwise noted. One may also wish to contact individual
federal agencies about additional fellowship programs. The works in the previous
section can be used to identify relevant federal offices.
Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Science
1000 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20585
Tel: (202) 586-7174
[http://www.scied.science.doe.gov/Scied/Einstein/about.htm]

CRS-6
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)—Congressional
Science and Technology Policy Fellowships
Also coordinates science and engineering fellowships sponsored by other
professional societies.
American Association for the Advancement of Science
AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowships Program
1200 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
Tel: (202) 326-6700
[http://fellowships.aaas.org]
American Geophysical Union—Congressional Science Fellowship Program
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
Tel: (202) 462-6900
[http://www.agu.org/inside/fellnom.html]
American Physical Society (APS) —Congressional Science Fellowship Program
APS Congressional Science Fellowship Program
Executive Officer
American Physical Society
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740-3844
Tel: (301) 209-3268
Internet: [http://www.aps.org/fellowship/]
American Political Science Association—Congressional Fellowship Program
American Political Science Association
1527 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036-1206
Tel: (202) 483-2512
[http://www.apsanet.org/about/cfp]
American Psychological Association—Congressional Fellowship Program
American Psychological Association
Public Policy Office
750 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002-4242
Tel: (202) 336-6062
[http://www.apa.org/ppo/funding/felloverv.html]

CRS-7
American Society for Microbiology—Congressional Science Fellow Program
American Society for Microbiology
Office of Public Affairs
1752 N Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 942-9209
[http://www.asmusa.org/pasrc/applicat.htm]
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.—Fellowship Program/Summer
Internship Program
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.
504 C Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20002
Tel: (202) 543-1771
[http://www.chci.org/]
Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture—Congressional Fellowship
Program
Places senior-level federal personnel (GS-13 to GS-15 and uniformed services
equivalents) in 6-month fellowships in congressional offices.
Graduate School, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Leadership Development Academy
600 Maryland Avenue S.W., Suite 330
Washington, D.C. 20024-2520
Tel: (202) 314-3578
[http://grad.usda.gov/programs_services/lda/cfp.cfm]
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers—Congressional Fellowship
Program
Congressional Fellowship Program
Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers
1828 L Street, N.W., Suite 1202
Washington, D.C. 20036-5104
Tel: (202) 785-0017
[http://www.ieeeusa.org/forum/GOVFEL]
Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Program
Jacob J. Javits Fellowship Program
Higher Education Programs
U.S. Department of Education
1990 K Street, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006-8521
Tel: (202)502-7700
[http://ed.gov/offices/OPE/HEP/iegps/javits.html]

CRS-8
Judicial Fellows Program
Places mid-career professionals, including non-attorneys, for a calendar year
term in the U.S. Supreme Court, the Federal Judicial Center, the Administrative
Office of the United States Courts, or the U.S. Sentencing Commission.
Supreme Court Fellows Program
Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice
Supreme Court of the United States, Room 5
Washington, D.C. 20543
Tel: (202) 479-3415
[http://www.fellows.supremecourtus.gov/fellowships.html]
Judicial Intern Program
Geared toward advanced undergraduates and graduating college seniors
interested in law, management, or social sciences. Unpaid multi-month internships
are offered.
Supreme Court Intern Program
Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice
Supreme Court of the United States, Room 5
Washington, D.C. 20543
Tel: (202) 479-3415
[http://www.supremecourtus.gov/publicinfo/jiprogram.pdf]
LEGIS Fellows Program
Places executive branch personnel in fellowships in congressional offices.
Brookings Institution, LEGIS Fellows Program
Center for Public Policy Education
1775 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: (202) 797-6094
[http://brook.edu/cppe/fellows/legis_fellow.htm]
Morris K. Udall Foundation—Ph.D. Fellowships
Provides funds to support full-time students expecting to receive doctorates by
the end of the academic year in the completion of dissertations on environmental
policy and environmental conflict resolution. All course work, preliminary exams,
and dissertation approval must be completed.
Morris K. Udall Foundation
110 South Church Avenue, Suite 3350
Tucson, AZ 85701
Tel: (520) 670-5529
[http://www.udall.gov/p_fellowships.htm]

CRS-9
Morris K. Udall Foundation—Native American Congressional Summer
Internship Program
Places Native American college students in congressional offices and the White
House for 10-week periods.
Morris K. Udall Foundation
110 South Church Avenue, Suite 3350
Tucson, AZ 85701
Tel: (520) 670-5529
[http://www.udall.gov/p_internships.htm]
Presidential Management Intern Program
Places graduate students from a variety of disciplines in federal agency
assignments for 2-year appointments.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Presidential Management Intern Program, (Attn: Kathleen Keeney)
Philadelphia Service Center
William J. Green, Jr. Federal Building
600 Arch Street, Room 3400
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1596
Tel: (215) 861-3027
[http://www.pmi.opm.gov]
White House Fellowships
Intended for young professionals who have demonstrated academic and
professional excellence. Places recipients in a cabinet-level agency, the Executive
Office of the President, the Vice President’s office, or in smaller agencies for a one-
year internship.
White House Fellows Program
c/o O.P.M.– Shelia Coates
1900 E Street, N.W., Room B431
Washington, D.C. 20415
Tel: (202) 606-1818
[http://www.whitehousefellows.gov]
Women’s Research and Education Institute—Congressional Fellowships
Intended for students currently enrolled in masters or doctoral programs at
accredited U.S. institutions or who have completed such programs within the past 18
months.
Congressional Fellowship Program
Women’s Research and Education Institute (WREI)
1750 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 350
Washington, D.C. 20006
Tel: (202) 628-0444
[http://www.wrei.org/fellowships/]

CRS-10
Electronic Resources
By using the Internet, it is possible to identify and find out about many current
internship and fellowship opportunities. Researchers may be able to use the Internet
in large public or research libraries, and students may have access through their
college or university libraries. Because up-to-date information is critical when
applying, the Internet can provide current descriptions of internship and fellowships
as well as deadlines, application materials, and other relevant details. Since the
Internet offers a wealth of materials in such fields as career guidance, summer job
opportunities, etc., this selective list of Web sites provides a starting point for those
seeking data on available programs.
Action Without Borders
[http://www.idealist.org]
A nonprofit organization that promotes action on numerous issues of concern,
Action Without Borders’ Web site offers a database of internships with non-profits
and with consultants and firms serving the nonprofit sector. These are arranged by
field of interest, geographical region, etc., and summaries of available opportunities
are provided.
International Service and Travel Center
[http://www.istc.umn.edu/]
This site contains information on international internship and work
opportunities for college students.
Smithsonian Fellowship/Internship Opportunities
[http://museumstudies.si.edu]
Information is provided on fellowships and internships at the Smithsonian
Institution’s museums and research institutes.
Washington Center
[http://www.twc.edu/internships/index.htm]
This organization arranges internships in the Washington, D.C., area for college
students from all majors in government agencies, corporations, and nonprofit
organizations.

CRS-11
Bibliography
This selective bibliography lists more sources of information on internships,
fellowships, and summer job and service opportunities. The publications can be used
to locate additional work experience opportunities, both inside and outside the
federal government. These works may be available in local libraries or school or
college guidance offices. Publisher contact information is also provided. Notes
identify publications which are issued annually. Other publications are updated
irregularly; check with the publishers for information on the latest editions. Some
of the publishers have Web sites, and those addresses are provided.
The Best 106 Internships (Princeton Review). 8th ed. New York: Random House,
Inc., 2000.
Information is given on competing for internships and on more than 20,000
internship opportunities in such areas as law, the environment, advertising, sports,
computers, journalism, music, health care, publishing, finance, education, and
television.
Available from: Random House, Inc., 400 Hahn Road, Westminster, MD 21157;
tel: (800) 726-0600; [http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog].
Congressional Intern Handbook. Washington, U.S. House of Representatives, 2001.
Annual.
This guidebook is geared to persons already accepted as congressional interns.
It provides background information on the structure of Congress, office rules and
procedures, and resources on Capitol Hill, as well as building maps.
Available from: U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on House
Administration, 1309 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515-
6157; tel: (202) 225-8281.
Encyclopedia of Associations. Detroit, Gale Group, Inc. Annual.
This annual publication can be used to locate organizations by subject area.
When standard internship directories contain no entries for internships in a specific
field, relevant organizations may be able to suggest contacts for internship
opportunities. This work can be found in many libraries in print, on CD-ROM, or
in the Associations Unlimited subscription database on the Web.
Available from: Gale Group, 27500 Drake Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48331-
3535; tel: (800) 877-4253; [http://www.gale.com].
Opportunities in Public Affairs. Bethesda, MD, Brubach Publishing.
This semi-monthly publication announces internship and fellowship positions
with the federal government, nonprofit organizations, institutes, print and broadcast
media, and the private sector.
Available from: Brubach Publishing, P.O. Box 34949, Bethesda, MD 20827-
0949; tel: (301) 571-0102; [http://www.opajobs.com].

CRS-12
Peterson’s Internships. Lawrenceville, NJ, Peterson’s. Annual.
Listed here are profiles of internship opportunities across the United States and
abroad. It includes indexes by geographic area, field of interest, and employer name.
This work is generally available in bookstores.
Available from: Peterson’s (Division of Thomson Learning), 2000 Lenox Drive,
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648; tel: (800) 338-3282; [http://www.petersons.com].
Summer Jobs for Students. Lawrenceville, NJ, Peterson’s. Annual.
Provided in this directory are state-by-state listings of more than 55,000 summer
work experiences available to students, teachers, and others in a variety of fields.
The index includes access to opportunities for interns/volunteers.
Available from: Peterson’s (Division of Thomson Learning), 2000 Lenox Drive,
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648; tel: (800) 338-3282; [http://www.petersons.com].