Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations

Established in 1977 to honor the memory of Harold Rosenthal, a Senate staff member who was a victim of a terrorist act while on official duty at age 29, the Rosenthal Fellowship program provides graduate students in international affairs with the opportunity to intern at a congressional or executive branch office in federal, state or local government for the summer.

The Rosenthal Fellowship is part of the Partnership’s Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program team. Rosenthal Fellows will join Future Leaders interns for shared programming, including the program kickoff, closing, and professional development opportunities, and will also participate in Rosenthal-specific development and cohort activities.

Summer 2026 Application Now Open

Applications are now open for the Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations Summer 2026 cohort.

Application Deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET

Apply to Rosenthal Fellowship

Rosenthal Fellowship Placements

The Rosenthal Fellowship offers two concurrent pathways to placement following acceptance into the program:

Apply directly to internship positions in federal, state, or local government agencies, as well as Congressional offices. If you secure an internship independently, please consult with the Future Leaders team before accepting the position.
Be matched to select opportunities through the Future Leaders team, which will help connect accepted candidates with available state and federal placements.

Rosenthal Fellowship Funding

Candidates may be funded either directly by the Rosenthal Fellowship or through their university, which may provide funding via an application process or a pre-established agreement with the Partnership.

Accepted candidates whose universities are not Rosenthal program partners will receive a stipend directly through the Rosenthal Fellowship.

Summer 2026 Timeline

September 29, 2025: Applications for the summer 2026 cohort open.
December 5, 2025: Application closes.
January 31, 2026: Applicants are notified of eligibility status. Finalists will receive instructions on next steps.
February – mid-April, 2026: Virtual interviews conducted.
February – May 2026: Background check process begins.
May 2026: Virtual Orientation.
May 26 – June 15, 2026: Internship Begins.
July 31 – September 4, 2026: Internship Ends.
- Fellowship end date is dependent on each student’s schedule and agreed upon with their supervisor.

Program Eligibility

To apply to the program, candidates must be:

Executive branch positions are open to U.S. citizens only. Students with dual citizenship must disclose this to agencies during the interview process.
Currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution with one year remaining in an international relations or international affairs graduate program. Undergraduates are not eligible for this opportunity.
Able to demonstrate superior academic achievement and have a GPA above 2.5.

Program Benefits

Selected participants will receive:

A 10-12-week summer internship at a congressional or executive branch office if an internship placement is needed.
A stipend of $5,000 if funding is not secured from an outside source and the position is full time (a minimum of 32 hours/week).
Professional development sessions, including orientation and networking events throughout the summer.

FAQs - Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations

Who is eligible for the Rosenthal Fellowship?

Executive branch positions are open to U.S. citizens only. Students with dual citizenship must disclose this to agencies during the interview process. Currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution with one year remaining in an international relations or international affairs graduate program. Undergraduates are not eligible for this opportunity. Able to demonstrate superior academic achievement and have a GPA above 2.5.

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.

All reference letters must be emailed by December 5, 2025, by 11:59 pm EST.

How much is the stipend?

The Rosenthal program stipend is $5,000. Fellows funded through their university may receive a different amount, as stipend levels vary by institution. Candidates may be funded either directly by the Rosenthal Fellowship or through their university.

If I apply to Future Leaders, am I also able to apply to the Rosenthal Fellowship concurrently?

Applicants may only apply to one of the Future Leaders program cohorts:

Future Leaders Summer 2026
Rosenthal Fellowship

If multiple applications are received from the same candidate, the Partnership will reach out to the candidate and ask that they select one cohort to be considered for.

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

In-person internship opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area, as well as other U.S. states are available. In-person opportunities outside of Washington, D.C. will be announced once confirmed.

Can my fellowship be fully remote?

Fully remote internship options for Rosenthal Fellowships 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?

For Fellows who prefer support with matching, the Future Leaders team will share potential agency partners after candidates have been accepted into the program.

Past partner agencies include:

Department of Defense (DoD)
Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA)
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Department of the Treasury (TREAS)
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)

Can I choose my agency placement?

The Rosenthal Fellowship offers two concurrent pathways to placement following acceptance into the program:

Apply directly to internship positions in federal, state, or local government agencies, as well as Congressional offices. If you secure an internship independently, please consult with the Future Leaders team before accepting the position.
Be matched to select opportunities through the Future Leaders team, which will help connect accepted candidates with available state and federal placements.

Does the Rosenthal Fellowship provide housing?

The Partnership for Public Service does not provide housing for the Rosenthal Fellowship.