Career Resources
Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
The Academic Fellowships at Brandeis Office supports students’ academic growth and development through providing guidance and resources to apply for competitive fellowship and research opportunities. Academic Fellowships advises students throughout the year about specific fellowship opportunities, each of which has its own timeline. Email fellowships@brandeis.edu to sign up for the Academic Fellowships newsletter.
Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations Office at Brandeis
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Collaborations Office (URCC) helps students find topics, mentors and funding for an original research or creative project in close collaboration with leading faculty and researchers.
Brandeis University's World of Work (WOW) fellowship program supports undergraduate students who pursue unpaid summer internships. The competitive program aims to reduce financial obstacles that might preclude students from following their interests, exploring career fields, gaining new skills and experiencing the World of Work.
Internships
AAJA Stanford Chen Internship Grant
Deadline: Typically due in March
The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) made this grant to offset living expenses and costs for college juniors, seniors and graduate students in journalism who have secured a summer internship. Applicants must have already secured a summer internship before applying for the internship grant. The stipend is to be used towards living expenses and/or transportation during your internship and may not be used for any college expenses. The award amount varies.
AAJA William Woo Print and Online News Internship Grant
Deadline: Typically due in March
The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) William Woo Print and Online News Internship Grant supports Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) pursuing journalism careers in print and online news, where AAPIs continue to be underrepresented. College students who have secured a summer internship are encouraged to apply for the grant to help defray living costs. The award amount is typically $2,000.
CBCF Congressional Summer Internship Program
Deadline: Typically due in March
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Congressional Summer Internship Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to learn and attend training sessions about the legislative process, leadership and careers in the policy making process. The award amount is typically $3,000.
CBCF Pathways to the C-Suite Internship Program
Deadline: Typically due in March
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) C-Suite Internship Program partners undergraduate and recent graduate African-American students with some of the nation’s top executives in the private sector to gain exposure and eventually mastery in public policy, government relations, advocacy, lobbying, civil service and policy development. The award amount is typically $3,000
Scholarships and Fellowships
AAJA Mary Quon Moy Ing Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: Typically due in February
The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) made this memorial scholarship for current college students, graduate students and graduating high school seniors interested in pursuing journalism as a career. The award amount is typically $2,000.
AAJA Vincent Chin Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: Typically due in February
In honor of Vincent Chin and thanks to the generosity of Joe Grimm, a former newsroom recruiter and staff development editor for the Detroit Free-Press, the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) has established a college scholarship. This scholarship rewards an accomplished, community-minded student journalist for an insightful, articulate essay related to Chin and his legacy. This scholarship is available to current student journalists for writing about the legacy of Vincent Chin in essay form. The award amount is typically $1,500.
CBCF Ally Financial Law and Public Policy Scholarships
Deadline: Typically due in February
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Ally Financial Law Scholars Program, sponsored by Ally Financial, seeks to increase the number of qualified, competitive African American or Black students entering the profession of law. This program offers a scholarship award to offset scholar’s cost of attendance. The multi-year award supports students throughout their law school journey. The award amount is typically $20,000.
CBCF NREI John R. Lewis Social Justice Policy Fellowship Program
Deadline: Typically August and November
The NREI John R. Lewis Social Justice Policy Fellowship is a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) program designed to give young, Black professionals the opportunity to work in Congress and with the Foundation to address social justice and racial equity issues that affect the Black community. Distinguished by two six-month rotations, Social Justice Fellows will be placed in the U.S. Congress with Congressional Black Caucus members and the CBCF’s Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR) for a total of 12 months. The award amount varies.
CBCF Spouses Education Scholarship
Deadline: Typically due in March
This scholarship was established in 1988 by the spouses of Congressional Black Caucus members to address the educational need in the congressional districts in response to federal cuts in spending for education programs and scholarships, which disproportionately affect people of color. This opportunity awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated African-American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degrees in a variety of fields. The award amount varies.
International Leadership Foundation Civic Fellowship Program
Deadline: Typically due in January
Every year, the International Leadership Foundation’s selection committee identifies approximately 30 outstanding Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander college students to spend 8 to 10 weeks interning at a federal agency in Washington D.C. during the summer. Students accepted into the program are known as Civic Fellows and will receive a stipend of $2,000 upon program completion. In addition to their full-time federal internships, they will attend professional development workshops and leadership training. Fellows are responsible for their own travel, housing, and living expenses.
The Islamic Scholarship Fund (ISF) offers a wide variety of programs; deadlines will vary.
ISF attempts to increase Muslim representation in media in order to correct negative portrayals in news and journalism. The way news is produced and written has an indisputable effect on public opinion. ISF empowers students and professionals through academic scholarships, film grants, mentorships, internships and fellowships. Award amount varies, and typically ranges from $3,000-$10,000.
Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program
Deadline: Typically due in February
This six-week, fully funded summer enrichment program offers three courses at Howard University designed to prepare students for careers in international affairs. Site visits include the U.S. Department of State, the CIA, World Bank, Organization of American States, U.S. Congress, various NGOs and think tanks.
Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program
Deadline: Typically due in February
This six-week, fully funded summer enrichment program offers three courses at Howard University designed to prepare students for careers in international affairs. Site visits include the U.S. Department of State, the CIA, World Bank, Organization of American States, U.S. Congress, various NGOs and think tanks.
Rangel Graduate Fellowship Program
Deadline: Typically due in September
Up to $37,500 annually. This fellowship provides graduate students enrolled in two-year programs support and mentoring as they are prepared for high-powered internships on Capitol Hill and abroad over the course of two summers. Successful fellows who meet State Department qualifications will receive appointments to the U.S. Foreign Service.
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Deadline: Typically due the end of SeptemberRecruits talented students (seeking enrollment in a two-year master’s degree program) in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management and science policy who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. (Prospective Graduate Students)
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Fellowship for Minority Students
Deadline: Typically due in March
The Hearst Fellow serves as an intern with PSI in the Washington, DC office of the Aspen Institute. Through this fellowship, PSI seeks to introduce a diverse group of students to issues and challenges affecting philanthropy, social enterprise, nonprofit organizations, and other actors in the social sector. Recipients may arrange with their colleges or universities to receive academic credit for this experience. Fellows will be compensated on an hourly basis in the fall, spring and summer. All travel and housing costs must be covered by the student.
Deadline: Typically due mid-December
Provides up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) Fellowship
Deadline: Typically due in November
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) is a yearlong fellowship to study and intern in Germany. CBYX is open to applicants in all career fields, though preference is given to students in STEM fields, agriculture, business and vocational fields.
Crown Center Travel and Study Grants
Deadline: Typically due in Mid-March
Covers expenses for summer research related to the Middle East. It may also be used to fund study at a foreign institution or cover tuition fees for a relevant Middle Eastern language program. The maximum grant award is $3,000.
DAAD University Summer Courses
Deadline: Typically due in December
Provides scholarships to attend a broad range of three- to four-week summer courses at German universities that focus mainly on German language and literary, cultural, political and economic aspects of modern and contemporary Germany.
Deadlines: Typically due in October and January
Awards $10,000 to create a grassroots project for peace in any part of the world.
Eizenstat Undergraduate Israel Travel Grant Program
Deadline: Typically due in March
A $2,500 grant funding undergraduate academic or career-related pursuits in Israel.
Deadline: Typically due in September
Supports students that have completed course work offered by the Brandeis University Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Program, who will be studying abroad in Eastern Europe.
Deadline: Typically due in March
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001. Brandeis Office of Study Abroad has more information here. The award is typically $5,000.
Deadline: Typically due in late March
Provides up to $15,000 to current or future PhD students. The fellowships support study in a variety of fields, including economics, philosophy, law, political science, history and sociology. (Current or future PhD enrollment required.)
Jane’s Travel Grant (Latin America)
Deadlines: Typically due in February
Covers expenses to conduct research in Latin America, the Caribbean and the Latin American Diaspora in the United States. The maximum grant is $3,500.
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Deadline: Typically due in late September-early October
Recruits talented students (seeking enrollment in a two-year master’s degree program) in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management and science policy who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career in the U.S. Department of State. (Prospective Graduate Students.
TUSA Global Ambassador Scholarship Program
Admission Period: Typically due in January to March
To create understanding between the people of the United States and Taiwan, TUSA offers a unique program to students interested in studying Mandarin (Chinese) language and learning about Taiwanese culture.
State Department Opportunities
Summer, Fall, Spring internship program for all active students
Application Deadline: September deadline for Summer Internship, February deadline for Fall Internship, May deadline for Spring Internship
The Department of State’s Internship program provides undergraduate as well as graduate students opportunities to work with embassies, consulates, and other federal bureaus related to the department’s work. Interns will work with U.S. officials as well as foreign diplomats as they aid crucial office functions, events and even sit in on meetings.
This is an incredible opportunity to get a jump-start on a diplomatic career and it is an extraordinarily competitive internship.
For undergraduate students
Announcement typically posted on USAJOBS during the Nov. 1-Nov. 15 time frame
The Department of State will be recruiting for the Pathways Internship Program in the coming weeks. Announcements are typically posted on USAJOBS during the November 1–November 15 time frame.
The upcoming vacancy announcements for the Pathways Internship Program will include position series such as: Office Automation, Program Analysis, Passport, Accounting, Paralegal, Engineering, Foreign Affairs, Contracting, Intelligence Research, Human Resources, Investigative Assistance and IT. Locations for these vacancies include DC, San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, Seattle, Denver, Boston, New York, Charleston, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Grades 1-7 will be recruited. The specific program (ITEP or IEP), grade level, location and series will be listed in each vacancy announcement when it is posted on USAJOBS.
Foreign Service Internship Program
Summer internship program
Applications are typically due the third week of August. It is also recommended to reach out to a regional Diplomat in Residence (DIR) for additional details on the program and the application process. You can find the DIR for your region here.
The Foreign Service Internship Program is a two-year opportunity for current sophomores or juniors to experience the foreign service and U.S. diplomacy at work during the next two summers. In the first summer, selected interns will be trained in the essentials for working in the foreign service, followed by a multiple-week posting at a policy desk in the Department of State. In the second summer, selected interns will be posted overseas in an American embassy.
Note that a 3.20 GPA is required for application, and it must be maintained throughout the full term of an internship, including during the academic year.
Critical Language Scholarship Program
For undergraduate and graduate students
Application Deadline: Typically due in November
The Critical Language Scholarship Program, offered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is a fully-funded, intensive overseas language program for students of all disciplines. For 7 – 10 weeks each summer, undergraduate and graduate students from across the U.S. live and study at over twenty sites abroad, covering the equivalent of a full year of college-level language study in thirteen critical languages.
Levels available for each CLS language are as follows:
- Azerbaijani, Bangla, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Punjabi, Turkish, Urdu, Swahili
- Arabic, Persian: advanced beginning, intermediate and advanced levels
- Chinese, Japanese, Russian: intermediate and advanced levels
Rangel International Affairs Programs
Summer Enrichment For Undergraduate Students
Application Deadline: Typically due the first week of Feburary
This six-week, fully funded summer enrichment program offers three courses at Howard University designed to prepare students for careers in international affairs. Site visits include the U.S. Department of State, the CIA, World Bank, Organization of American States, U.S. Congress, various NGOs and think tanks.
Graduate Fellowship for Graduate Students
Application Deadline: Typically due September
Up to $37,500 annually. This fellowship provides graduate students enrolled in two-year programs support and mentoring as they are prepared for high-powered internships on Capitol Hill and abroad over the course of two summers. Successful fellows who meet State Department qualifications will receive appointments to the U.S. Foreign Service.
U.S. Government Opportunities
Department of Justice Intern, Graduate and Fellows Programs
Many programs are offered; deadlines will vary.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Pathways Programs provide clear paths to federal employment for students and recent graduates. The Pathways Programs consist of three major subprograms: the Internship Program, the Recent Graduates Program (RGP), and the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program.
Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) Internships
Deadlines: June 15 (fall placement), October 15 (spring), March 1 (summer)
Internships with:
- The Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice
- The Office of the Curator
- The Public Information Office
- The Office of the Clerk
U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs Internships
Deadline: February 17, 2023
The House Foreign Affairs Committee, Majority Staff, offers two types of internships, a general internship and a legal internship.
U.S. Members of Congress Internships
Deadlines: set by individual congressional offices
The House offers many college internship opportunities in Washington, DC, and district offices around the U.S. Opportunities are generally available in the spring, summer, and fall. Summer positions are the most popular and most competitive. Applying for an internship or fellowship is similar to applying for admission to a college or university. The application process takes time and effort, often requiring essays and interviews.
Because details of individual internships vary, it is best to contact the office in which the internship is available for information. Many representatives post internship information on their websites.
Be sure to check in with your local federal representatives for local internships. You may also find foreign affairs-related programs with members of Congress assigned to pertinent committees.
Brandeis University’s local congressperson is Katherine Clark. Your senators are Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey.