Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute - CHCI’s Graduate Fellowship Program

Deadline: December 01, 2025

Program Starts: August 20, 2025

Program Ends: May 22, 2026

Graduates

Government

Location(s)

  • United States of America
Washington, DC

Overview

CHCI’s Graduate Fellowship Program is designed for exceptional emerging Latino leaders who want to immerse themselves in a specific public policy area. This paid, nine-month fellowship will provide you with valuable work experience, access to powerful Latino network, and a chance to showcase your public policy knowledge on Capitol Hill.

Details

NAVIGATE YOUR NEXT STEPS WITH US

With CHCI’s fellowship, you plot your own path. Guided by CHCI, you will research opportunities to work in congressional offices, committees, federal agencies, or even the White House. Choose one that best matches your policy focus area—K-12 education, health, housing, law, energy—and consider changing your placement midway through the program to maximize your experience. In addition to working for members of Congress, graduate fellows have worked with these and other remarkable organizations:

  • American Petroleum Institute
  • American Public Health Association
  • Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
  • National Urban League
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • U.S. House Committee on Financial Services

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN PUBLIC POLICY

The Graduate Fellowship Program provides a deeper dive into public policy. You will immerse yourself by spending four days each week (Monday-Thursday) learning all facets of public policy, working with colleagues on significant projects. You will spend invaluable time understanding how effective policy is created and implemented, building on what you learned in your graduate studies.

On Fridays, you will join the Fellowship cohort for a full day of leadership development centered on CHCI’s four Pillars of Leadership—Civic Engagement, Social Responsibility, Self Empowerment, and Promoting Community and Hispanic Culture. Weekly programming will refine your leadership skills, affirm your career goals and focus area, and allow you the opportunity to spend time discussing policy issues of national concern. You will gain experience proposing effective policy solutions by critically examining all sides and implications of these issues. The service component of the program will help you understand how important it is to remain socially involved and “pay it forward” for the next generation of Latino leaders.

ACCESS LATINO LEADERS DEDICATED TO CHANGE

During the nine-month program, you will have access to a myriad of professionals from a variety of industries, who generously give of their time as guest speakers and mentors. You will meet with national leaders who will engage you in meaningful dialogue about important issues—to the Latino community and our nation. You will also build vital relationships with the CHCI Alumni Association, a network of more than 3,600 Latino professionals located across the country, who are ready to support you in achieving your dreams.

ORGANIZE A TIMELY POLICY BRIEFING

One of the distinguishing features of CHCI’s Graduate Fellowship Program is the Capitol Hill Policy Briefing Series. As part of the program, you will research a public policy issue that relates to the Latino community in your specific area of study. You will then write an analytical policy paper that is presented during the Capitol Hill Briefings. Based on your topic, you will identify relevant subject matter experts to serve as panelists, organize your briefing and moderate the session—all of which are tremendous experiences that benefit your career in public policy.

YOUR SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES WITH CHCI

You’ve already mastered your academic studies and proven you’re a leader. Take your career to the next level by applying for a CHCI Graduate Fellowship today.

Opportunity is About


Eligibility

Candidates should be from:


Description of Ideal Candidate

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

  • Work a minimum of 32 hours a week at placement site
  • Attend a one-week orientation and weekly leadership development sessions and participate in a retreat
  • Participate in all CHCI-sponsored activities
  • Complete 24 hours of community service, including a group community service project
  • Develop and execute a policy briefing to promote public policy issues of importance to Latinos
  • Research, write and potentially publish a public policy paper connected with the topic of your policy briefing
  • Comply with CHCI policies regarding work performance and personal conduct

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

  • Applicants must have completed a master’s degree or J.D. prior to the program start date (doctoral students are NOT eligible to apply)
  • High academic achievement (preference of 3.0 GPA or higher)
  • Evidence of leadership skills and potential for leadership growth
  • Demonstrated commitment to public service-oriented activities
  • Superior analytical skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or individuals who are lawfully authorized to work full-time without restriction for any U.S. employer and who, at the time of application, possess lawful evidence of employment authorization.
    • NOTE: Individuals who are seeking consideration under the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival” (DACA) policy must possess an Employment Authorization Document at the time of application that is valid throughout the program.
  • All individuals are welcome to apply. However, preference will be given to individuals with financial need.
  • Family members of members of the CHCI Board of Directors, Advisory Council and Staff are prohibited from participating in any of CHCI’s charitable programs. “Family members” include the following individuals whether the relationship is biological or adoptive:
    • Immediate Family – to include a spouse, domestic partner, ex-spouse, parent, step-parent, sibling, half-sibling, step-sibling, child, step-child, grandparent, grandchild;
    • Extended family – to include a niece, nephew, uncle, aunt, first cousin.
    • Applications by such family members will not be considered.

Dates

Deadline: December 01, 2025

Program starts:

August 20, 2025

Program ends:

May 22, 2026

Program Starts: August 20, 2025

Program Ends: May 22, 2026


Cost/funding for participants

CHCI GRADUATE FELLOWS WILL RECEIVE:

  • Competitive Pay
    • Over the course of nine months, Graduate Fellows will receive a gross stipend amount of $29,700.  This salary is in line with that of an individual making $39,600 per year, a standard entry-level salary on Capitol Hill.
  • Benefits
    • Stipend or voucher to subsidize domestic round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C.
    • Medical, dental, and vision insurance during the program.  CHCI pays 100% of the premiums for the medical, dental, and vision insurance.  All program participants MUST participate in the plan and will be required to submit relevant enrollment information. Coverage begins effective September 1 and runs through May 31. Information about the insurance plan, coverage and co-pays is provided during orientation week. Please note, insurance is available to the Fellow only and not dependents of the Fellow.
    • $80 per month Metro stipend
    • Optional short-term housing. CHCI secures and individuals reimburse CHCI for this service
  • Weekly leadership training, networking and more
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