Washington Summer Fellowship

The Washington Summer Fellowship is an immersive 10-week residential experience in that nation's capital that prepares students for leadership and service. This program helps motivated individuals secure internships in the Washington, D.C. area while learning how the government operates, how policy is formed, and who influences decision-making at local and national levels. Through weekly roundtables, skill-building workshops and field visits, fellows gain a deep understanding of the institutions, relationships, and leadership skills necessary for public service and policymaking.

This program is interdisciplinary - students of all majors are welcome to apply. Interested candidates must be willing to apply their skills and academic interests in political, and/or policy-making spaces such as local and federal government offices, nonprofits, industry and advocacy organizations, media, and DC-based businesses. 

The Fellowship Experience

All fellowship activities and meetings below are required. Expert roundtables occur in the evening. Immersive Experience dates are provided in advance so students can coordinate time off with employers. 

• Orientation: Virtual orientation takes place in early January during winter break. In March, students visit Washington for one full Saturday for orientation and interview practice at the Eisenhower Institute office. Students will visit summer housing and tour cultural, historical or other sites of significance in the city. 

• Internship Advising: Students are assigned to a staff member or alumni partner to monitor and support the internship search (see more below). Mandatory weekly check-in meetings take place throughout Spring semester.

• Expert Roundtables: Weekly dinner and discussion with professionals working in a variety of fields, including law, economics, foreign policy, defense, trade, labor, national security, technology, crime, health care, civil rights, education, and social issues. Fellows learn about their work and gain important insights on building successful careers in the nation's capital.

• Immersive Experiences  
  • Hill Day: Fellows spend a full day at the seat of government learning how decisions are made, how Congressional offices are organized and serve constituents, and how to prepare for and obtain internships and entry-level positions in member and committee offices, and Hill-adjacent organizations.
  • Community Day: Fellows spend a full day in a neighborhood exploring its history and culture. You will meet residents, community leaders and small business owners. You will visit places of significance in the community, including organizations and institutions that contribute to the richness of D.C. culture.
  • Professional Development Workshop: Experts in professional/policy writing, communications, data analysis and other areas provide hands-on instruction in an interactive, full-day workshop. 

• Housing: Fellows live in residential housing managed by the Lutheran College Washington Consortium. The Eisenhower Institute arranges and covers the cost of these accommodations.
• Fellows share a room with a roommate and an apartment with other college students.
• If a student’s internship extends beyond the fellowship's dates, LCWS offers the option to extend housing at a discounted rate, well below typical costs for the area. Students must coordinate any extended housing directly with LCWS and cover the associated costs themselves.

Internships

• Placement: Internship placement is a collaborative process. Each student will be assigned an Eisenhower Institute staff advisor to guide them in their search and provide access to professional and alumni networks. The Institute staff will also connect students to our partners with open internship positions. Students are expected to demonstrate that they are a strong fit for these internships, highlighting how their experience aligns with the role and presenting themselves with professionalism and engagement.
• Applications: Students must take ownership of the application process—independently identifying opportunities, following up with potential employers, meeting deadlines, and ensuring that their internship meets the fellowship’s requirements. Institute staff provide guidance, advice, and interview preparation to support students throughout the process.
• Requirement for Participation: Students must secure a D.C.-based internship to participate in the fellowship. Confirmation of placement is due to the Institute by May 1.
• The Future Leaders Program: For the Summer 2026 program, the Eisenhower Institute is partnering with the Partnership for Public Service’s Future Leaders in Public Service Program to strengthen our efforts to place fellows in D.C.-area internships. Representatives from the Partnership will join us on October 23 as part of the Washington Summer Fellows information session to explain this collaboration in greater detail.

  The funded internships available through this partnership are open ONLY to students accepted into the Washington Summer Fellowship. If you are selected as a Summer Fellow and meet the eligibility criteria for the Future Leaders Program, you will be required to submit your Future Leaders application by Friday, December 5, at 11:59 p.m. Please do NOT apply to the Future Leaders Program before being accepted into the Washington Summer Fellowship—additional details and application instructions will be provided to accepted Fellows.

Costs

• Fellows will be required to submit a $300 housing deposit to LCWS by April 30. Deposits are fully refundable, pending acceptable condition of housing at move-out.
• Students are responsible for transportation to Washington, D.C. at the beginning and end of the program. Fellows are encouraged to coordinate carpool/group travel.
• During the fellowship, students are responsible for personal expenses such as groceries, local transportation, and toiletries. Stipends may be available to help offset living expenses for students with unpaid internships.

Students facing financial hardships should contact the Eisenhower Institute to discuss options. Financial concerns should NOT prevent students from applying to the program.

Expectations

Fellows are required to attend ALL roundtables, field visits, and career coaching sessions. Requests for exceptions must be submitted at least three days in advance. Fellows are also required to meet with their Eisenhower Institute staff advisor weekly throughout the internship search process. Failure to meet program expectations may result in a requirement to reimburse the Institute for housing costs and any other expenses incurred on the student’s behalf.

Eligibility

Current Gettysburg College sophomores, juniors, and seniors who will be returning for the Fall 2026 semester are eligible for the fellowship. For Summer 2026, applications open October 20 and close November 2, with decisions announced by November 30.

Program Dates

Students accepted into the program are required to attend a virtual orientation on January 7th from 12pm- 1:30pm EST and a full-day in-person orientation in Washington, D.C. on March 28. The Eisenhower Institute will provide transportation to and from Gettysburg for the in-person orientation in Washington.

The fellowship runs May 22–July 31, 2026.