FAQs

Who is eligible for the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program?

U.S. citizens currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution in an undergraduate (current 2nd years/sophomores and above) or graduate program with a 2.5 GPA or above are eligible to apply. Students must be current second-year students/sophomores and above. For the Department of Transportation, only graduate students from the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University are eligible to apply.

How do I submit my reference letter?

Optional reference letters may be uploaded directly through the application portal or emailed to internships@ourpublicservice.org with the applicant’s name referenced in the subject line.

How much is the stipend?

For Fall 2023, the stipend amount varies by each agency and part-time or full-time status. Please refer to the Program Benefits section to learn more.

Are all internship opportunities based in the Washington, D.C., area?

In-person internship opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area and fully virtual internships are available.

Can my internship be virtual?

In-person internship opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area and fully virtual internships are available.

Who are the participating agencies?

The participating agencies for the Futures Leaders in Public Service Internship Program are the Department of Transportation, National Science Foundation and the Small Business Administration

Can I choose my agency placement?

Applicants can select up to two preferred career tracks. Agencies will rank the intern candidates that are the best fit for their positions. If a candidate receives offers from multiple agencies, the candidate may select the opportunity that is the best fit for them.

How is this program funded?

This program is supported by Schmidt Futures and the Ford Foundation.