Our nation’s current and future challenges make it imperative that government identify, recruit and retain the next generation of public servants. The Future Leaders in Public Service Program and the Rosenthal Fellowship offer numerous opportunities for candidates to pursue.

 

Explore the available opportunities for Summer 2024 below. Candidates may only apply to one opportunity per application cycle.

 


 

Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program – Summer 2024

The Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program is an exciting opportunity for students of all majors to gain professional experience in the federal government. Since 2022, the program leads diverse young talent to government and offers students the opportunity to apply their educational training to work in a federal agency.

Candidates select two career tracks (listed below) that align most closely with their interests and skills.

 

Administration and Program Management

Public Administration

May include positions in finance, human resources, management/administration, or similar fields.

Physical Sciences

Science, Mathematics and Engineering

May include positions in the fields of science and health, engineering and math. This track is open to candidates from technical backgrounds.

Business and Finance

Government Contracting and Acquisition

May include positions relating to federal contracting and acquisition, procurement, and business.

Social Sciences

Liberal Arts

May include positions in communications, arts, humanities, graphic design, public policy, writing/editing, public affairs and social sciences.

Medical and Public Health

Integrated Prevention

This opportunity is for graduate students only, including students of Masters of Public Policy, Masters of Public Administration, Masters of Public Health, Masters of Social Work, Psychology and related fields. Integrated primary prevention aims to prevent harmful behaviors (sexual assault, harassment, retaliation, domestic abuse, child abuse, and suicide) in the communities served. This is a unique and rewarding public service opportunity to prevent harmful behaviors.

Information Technology and Computer Science

Public Interest Technology

May include positions in operations technology-focused policy, graphic 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 for public good.

Mathematics

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, including: 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.

 


 

Future Leaders in Public Service – National Science Foundation

Since 1944, the National Science Foundation has worked to advance science, health and our national defense in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF’s mission is carried out by more than 2,500 employees around the world, including microbiologists, toxicologists, chemists, engineers, and environmental and public health professionals.

In 2022, NSF also launched the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, or the TIP Directorate. The directorate seeks to advance U.S. competitiveness through investments that accelerate the development of key technologies and address pressing societal and economic challenges.

The NSF opportunity for internship placements with the TIP Directorate is open to candidates interested in at least one of the following career tracks:

  • Public Administration.
  • Science, Mathematics and Engineering.
  • Government Contracting and Acquisition.
  • Liberal Arts.
  • Public Interest Technology.

 


 

What happens after candidates submit their application?

After the Future Leaders application closes, the Partnership will review all candidates for this program. If candidates move to the next round, they will receive communication from the Partnership seeking the candidate’s agency preferences for their internship placement. At that time, candidates will have the opportunity to rank from their choice of participating agencies in this program. Agencies will be announced throughout fall, and past partners include the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Small Business Administration and the General Services Administration.

 


 

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 for the summer.

UPDATE: Candidates for a Rosenthal fellowship may receive a stipend and/or internship through the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program. Candidates are encouraged to apply for their own internships and funding opportunities while being considered for the program. Candidates can receive a stipend and/or an internship through the Future Leaders program if they are unable to secure their own funding or internship.

 


 

Summer 2024 Timeline

  • September 2023: Applications for the summer 2024 cohort open.
  • November 24, 2023: Application closes.
  • January 31, 2024: Applicants are notified of eligibility status. Eligible applicants will receive instructions on next steps.
  • February 14 – March 31, 2024: Virtual interviews conducted.
  • February – May 2024: Background check process begins.
  • TBD: Virtual Orientation.
  • June 2024: Internship Begins.

 


 

Program Benefits

Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program

Selected participants will receive:

  • A 10-12-week summer internship at a federal agency in a data science role.
  • A stipend of $5,000 for full-time positions (a minimum of 32 hours/week).
  • Professional development sessions, including orientation and networking events throughout the summer.
Future Leaders in Public Service - National Science Foundation

Selected participants in the program will receive:

  • A 10-12 week summer internship at the National Science Foundation
  • Stipends:
    • Full-time interns (full-time defined as a minimum of 32 hours/week) receive a stipend of $6,500, plus $5,500 for housing and travel expenses.
  • Professional development sessions, including orientation and networking events throughout the summer
  • Part-time interns (part-time defined as 20 hours/week) receive a stipend of $3,250, plus $750 for travel expenses.
Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations

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.

 


 

Program Eligibility

Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program

To apply to the program, candidates must be: 

  • U.S. citizens at the time of application submission.
  • Currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution in an undergraduate or graduate program. Undergraduates must be current second-year students/sophomores and above.
  • Able to demonstrate superior academic achievement and have a GPA above 2.5.
  • Interested in at least one of the following career tracks:
    • Public Administration: May include positions in finance, human resources, management/administration, or similar fields.
    • Science, Mathematics and Engineering: May include positions in the fields of science and health, engineering and math. This track is open to candidates from technical backgrounds.
    • Government Contracting and Acquisition. May include positions relating to federal contracting and acquisition, procurement, and business.
    • Liberal Arts. May include positions in communications, arts, humanities, graphic design, public policy, writing/editing, communications, public affairs and social sciences.
    • Public Interest Technology: May include positions in operations technology-focused policy, graphic 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 for public good.
    • 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, including: 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.

Students admitted to the program must successfully complete a background check before beginning the internship in June 2024.

Future Leaders in Public Service - National Science Foundation

To apply to the program, candidates must be: 

  • U.S. citizens at the time of application submission. 
  • Currently enrolled at an accredited educational institution in an undergraduate or graduate program. Undergraduates must be current second-year students/sophomores and above. 
  • Able to demonstrate superior academic achievement and have a GPA above 2.5. 
  • Interested in at least one of the following career tracks: 
    • Public Administration: May include positions in finance, human resources, management/administration, or similar fields. 
    • Science, Mathematics and Engineering: May include positions in the fields of science and health, engineering and math. This track is open to candidates from technical backgrounds. 
    • Government Contracting and Acquisition. May include positions relating to federal contracting and acquisition, procurement, and business. 
    • Liberal Arts. May include positions in communications, arts, humanities, graphic design, public policy, writing/editing, communications, public affairs and social sciences. 
    • Public Interest Technology: May include positions in operations technology-focused policy, graphic 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 for public good. 

Students admitted to the program must successfully complete a background check before beginning the internship in June 2024.  

Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations

To apply to the program, candidates must be:

  • U.S. citizens for the executive branch positions. Dual citizens and non-U.S. citizens may apply for a limited number of congressional positions.
  • 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.

 


 

FAQs - Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program

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.

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?

Stipend amounts vary by opportunity type. Please refer to the Program Benefits section on each page 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. Future Leaders can participate fully remote within the United States throughout the duration of their internship. Future Leaders internships cannot be completed abroad.

Can my internship be virtual?

In-person internship opportunities in the Washington, D.C., area and fully virtual internships are available. Future Leaders can participate fully remote; however, they must be in the United States throughout the duration of their internship. Future Leaders internships cannot be completed abroad.

Who are the participating agencies?

Participating agencies for the Futures Leaders in Public Service Internship Program vary by each term. Please refer to each program page to learn more.

Can I choose my agency placement?

Applicants can select up to two preferred career tracks at the time of application. After the application closes, the Partnership will review all candidates for this program. If candidates move to the next round, they will receive communication from the Partnership seeking the candidate’s agency preferences for their internship placement. At that time, candidates will have the opportunity to rank from their choice of participating agencies in this program. Agencies will be announced throughout fall, and past partners include the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Small Business Administration and the General Services Administration.

 


 

FAQs - Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations

I heard students had to be nominated for the Rosenthal program. Do I still need to ask my university to nominate me?

To increase access to the program and reduce administrative burden, we will no longer require universities to nominate students. Interested and eligible students should apply directly to the program

My university has historically provided funding for Rosenthal interns. How should I notify the program that I will have funding for my summer internship?

In the application, students will be able to indicate if they have secured their own internship placement and/or funding. Universities that have historically nominated and funded students may have reserved spots in the cohort for them.

Who is eligible for the Rosenthal program?

Prospective applicants must be international affairs graduate students who exhibit outstanding scholarly achievements, a commitment to the study of international affairs and an interest in public service. Applicants must have at least one year left in their studies following the fellowship.

Which offices will have positions available?

Summer positions change each year depending on the needs and space constraints of participating executive branch agencies and congressional offices. In recent years the program has sent finalists to interview with the Office of the Secretary of Defense; various offices at the State Department, the Department of Treasury and the Department of Labor; the United States Trade Representative; and numerous congressional offices. Each year, an increasing number of interns identify their own positions ahead of the interview process, particularly at the State Department and in the Intelligence Community.

How does the selection process work?

Students must apply directly for the opportunity. Program staff will review and score all applications. Candidates with a high application score will be forwarded to our agency partners. Candidates who have not already secured a summer position will interview with congressional and executive branch offices, who will make final selections.

If I don’t already have an internship and I’m selected as a finalist, will I have a choice as to which office I interview with?

While we make every effort to match finalists with the office they prefer, we cannot guarantee that all finalists will be able to interview with their first choice. The hiring offices have ultimate discretion as to whether to extend a summer position to a given finalist.

How much is the stipend?

For candidates who do not secure funding from an outside source, the Partnership will provide a stipend of $5,000. Receipt of that funding is contingent upon successfully completing all requirements to start the summer position, including any necessary security clearance requirements. The stipend is generally treated as taxable income.

Do I need a security clearance to apply?

Some positions at executive branch agencies may require interns to hold a security clearance before they begin work. While interns are usually able to secure an interim clearance by the beginning of the summer, any factors that delay clearance processing could delay the start date. Internship positions in congressional offices do not require security clearances.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to apply?

Executive branch positions are available only to U.S. citizens. Dual citizens and non-U.S. citizens may apply for a limited number of congressional positions. Please note that the Partnership will not provide any assistance in securing visas for non-U.S. citizens.

What summer programming is available for participants?

In addition to a program orientation, participants will attend professional development sessions offered by the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program on topics such as the federal hiring process, writing skills and careers in the federal government. Participants are also encouraged to organize informal lunches, happy hours and other social networking opportunities.

I would like my agency/congressional office to host a Rosenthal student. How can we participate?

If you are interested in serving as a host office for fellows, please contact internships@ourpublicservice.org. We are always looking for executive and legislative branch partners that offer meaningful opportunities for students to gain direct experience in the field of international relations.

How is this program funded?

This program is made possible with the support of individual donors and the Robertson Foundation for Government. Program supporters care deeply about our government, international affairs and national security. We invite you to learn more about supporting this program by contacting internships@ourpublicservice.org.

Staff

Headshot of Danica Harootian

Danica Harootian

Senior Manager, Partnership for Public Service

About Danica
Headshot of Katy Hogan

Katy Hogan

Director, Partnership for Public Service

About Katy
Headshot of Logan Kohl

Logan Kohl

Associate Manager, Partnership for Public Service

About Logan

Stephanie Sonkin

Manager, Partnership for Public Service

About Stephanie
Headshot of Anne Straith

Anne Straith

Associate, Partnership for Public Service

About Anne