Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program – Fall 2026
The Future Leaders in Public Service Internship program is an exciting paid opportunity for students of all majors to gain professional experience in federal and state government. Since 2022, the program has placed highly skilled talent from across the country into government, offering students the opportunity to apply their educational training to public service work.
Explore the fall 2026 opportunities below.
Program Status
Fall 2026 Application Now Closed
Applications for the Future Leaders Fall 2026 program are now closed.
Please email internships@ourpublicservice.org with any questions or concerns.
Future Leaders University Partnerships
George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government
Applicants must be rising seniors or graduate students enrolled in a Schar School of Policy and Government degree program.
George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Administration
Applicants must be enrolled in any of the following programs at the Trachtenberg School.
-Master of Public Policy
-Master of Public Administration
-Ph.D. in Public Policy and Public Administration
-MA-Environmental and Sustainability Policy
Marquette University Les Aspin Center for Government
Applicants must apply to both the Future Leaders program and the Les Aspin Center Fall 2026 Washington, D.C. Program.
To be considered. Only students admitted to the Les Aspin Center Fall 2026 Washington, D.C. Program are eligible for Future Leaders placements. For questions regarding the Aspin Washington Internship Program, please contact: aspincenter@marquette.edu.
University partners will provide funding directly to students placed in the Fall 2026 Future Leaders program.
Fall 2026 Program Tracks
Students who attend these partner universities will be considered for government internships within the three program tracks listed below. Students from all majors are welcome to apply.
Data Science
Interested in using your data science skills for the public good? Agencies across the federal government need data scientists, and several previous Future Leaders internships focused on data science. This track is open to candidates from technical backgrounds that include: computer science; engineering; statistics; mathematics; economics; data analytics; data science; information technology; business, finance; biostatistics; data analytics in artificial intelligence or machine learning; and physics.
Public Administration
May include positions in finance, human resources, management or administration, or similar fields.
Public Interest Technology & AI
Public Interest Technology & AI positions may include a focus on operations technology-focused policy, federal AI policy, design, writing/editing, program management, data analysis, entrepreneurship and stakeholder management. This track is open to candidates from both technical and social science backgrounds, but candidates must be interested in technology innovation and harnessing the full potential of technology and AI for public good.
Agency Partners
Past Agency Partners (2022-2026)
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Commerce
- Department of Defense
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Department of Transportation
- General Services Administration
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- National Science Foundation
- Small Business Administration
- State of California
- State of Maine
- State of Maryland
- U.S. Geological Survey
What happens after candidates submit their application?
Fall 2026 Timeline
- February 16, 2026: Applications for the fall 2026 cohort open.
- May 1, 2026: Application closes.
- May 31, 2026: Applicants are notified of eligibility status. Eligible applicants will receive instructions on next steps.
- June – July, 2026: Virtual interviews conducted.
- July – August 2026: Background check process begins.
- August 2026: Virtual Orientation.
- Week of September 14, 2026: Internship Begins.
- Week of December 4, 2026: Internship Ends.
Internship end date depends on each student’s schedule and is agreed upon with the intern supervisor.
Program Benefits
- A 10-12-week fall internship at a federal or state government agency
- A stipend of $3,500 for part-time positions (20 hours per week)
- Professional development sessions, including orientation and networking events throughout the fall
Program Eligibility
- U.S. citizens at the time of application submission
- Enrolled at a fall 2026 university partner institution for the fall 2026 semester. Please review the specific eligibility requirements outlined above for each university partner. Students graduating in May or June 2026 are not eligible to apply; students with an expected graduation date of December 2026 are eligible.
- Able to demonstrate superior academic achievement and have a GPA above 2.5
- Interested in at least one of the career tracks below. These areas are open to students of all majors. Students do not need to be pursuing careers exclusively in tech.
- Data Science
- Public Administration
- Public Interest Technology and AI
IMPORTANT: Please check the specific conditions outlined above for university partner eligibility requirements.
FAQs – Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program
Who is eligible for the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship program?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application submission and enrolled at a fall 2026 university partner institution for the fall 2026 semester. Applicants must meet their university’s specific eligibility requirements, as outlined above. Students graduating in May or June 2026 are not eligible to apply; students with an expected graduation date of December 2026 are eligible. Applicants must also demonstrate strong academic achievement and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
If I do not attend a university partner school, am I still able to apply to Future Leaders?
Unfortunately, students who attend a non-university partner school are not able to apply for the Future Leaders program.
How do I submit my reference letter?
Optional reference letters may be uploaded directly through the application portal or emailed to
internships@ourpublicservice.orgwith the applicant’s name referenced in the subject line.
All reference letters must be emailed by May 1, 2026, by 11:59 pm EST.
How much is the stipend?
Fall stipends are $3,500 for part-time placements (20 hours per week).
Are all internship opportunities based in the Washington, D.C., area?
For fall 2026, in-person internship opportunities are located in the Washington, D.C., area, including surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia.
Can my internship be fully remote?
Fully remote internship options for Future Leaders may be limited, as more government internship opportunities are now offered in person or hybrid only. Government agencies will ultimately decide if an internship opportunity can be offered on a fully remote basis.
Who are the participating agencies?
Participating agencies for the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship program vary by term and will be added to this website once they are confirmed. Please refer to this website for any updates.
Can I choose my agency placement?
Participating agencies will be confirmed between spring and summer 2026. If candidates move to the next round, some will receive communication from the Partnership seeking their agency preferences for their internship placement.
Does the Future Leaders program provide housing?
The Partnership does not provide housing for the Future Leaders program.
