Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program

About the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program

An award program providing up to $6,000.00 awards to outstanding Rutgers undergraduate students for in-person summer internships in government, nonprofit, or advocacy organizations in Washington, D.C. The monetary award is meant to ease the financial burden of interning in D.C. and is intended to offset living expenses. Rutgers undergraduate students from all three campus locations are eligible to apply. Learn about the impact the program has on students’ education and professional development by meeting the 2024 award recipients. 

Eligibility

• Applicants are not required to have an internship in place at the time of applying.
• Up to 9 students will receive awards for summer 2026, with some awardees supported through Eagleton-affiliated programs:
  • One award will be funded by the Center for American Women and Politics’ Katherine K. Neuberger Fund to support an undergraduate interested in women’s political leadership
  • Two awards will be funded by the Rutgers Democracy Lab. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate an interest in developing strategies that support and strengthen democracy.
• Awardees will be required to independently secure their Washington, D.C. internship positions by May 29, 2026 in order to be eligible to receive their award. Eagleton staff can provide some assistance identifying internship opportunities.
• Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduate students at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, Rutgers University–Camden, Rutgers University–Newark, or Rutgers Health for Spring 2026.
• Rutgers undergraduates from all majors, class years, and all campus locations are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must complete an in-person internship in Washington, DC for the summer of 2026.
• A minimum of 120 internship hours are required, with a strong preference for full-time positions in the government or non-profit sector.
• Paid internships are permitted but the award amount will be reduced.

Application

Applicants are evaluated based on individual initiative, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and service, and financial need.

Complete applications must include:

• Completed online form
• Résumé as a PDF
• Writing Statement as a PDF
• One letter of recommendation emailed to jronan@eagleton.rutgers.edu as a PDF
• Unofficial transcript (including Fall 2025 grades and Spring 2026 enrollment)

All applications must be submitted online. Applications for the summer 2026 program are open. Selection of awardees will be announced in early 2026.

The award program will feature two application deadlines for the upcoming cohort of awardees. Please review the frequently asked questions area to determine the deadline that you wish to wish to submit for:

Priority Deadline: Monday, December 1, 2025 at 5:00PM

Regular Decision Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026 at 5:00PM

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the priority application deadline and the regular decision deadline?

Students who apply for the priority deadline on Monday, December 1st will have the opportunity to also apply for an internship placement with the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program through the Partnership for Public Service. Students who apply for the Future Leaders Program by Friday, December 5, 2025 will be reviewed and considered by both the PFPS as well as the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award program staff for consideration in a select cohort of summer internships placements. Students will be notified in mid-January of their application decision. If an applicant chooses to apply for this additional opportunity, we encourage them to list their location preference as Washington, D.C. only.

Students who apply for regular decision will receive notification of their award status by mid-February 2026.

How many students will receive awards?
A maximum of eight (9) students will be awarded up to $6000.00.

What is considered an in-person internship placement?
An in-person internship placement requires students to be working in-person at the internship placement location in Washington, D.C. at least 3 days per week. Internships must be completed at a registered nonprofit organization, government office or agency, or advocacy organization. All placements sites must be approved by the award program administrator. All placement sites mission statement’s must align with the core values of the Eagleton Institute of Politics.

What financial costs can be covered with the award?
The following expenses can be covered by the award: transportation costs, food, housing, and technology needed to complete an in-person internship.

Who should complete my letter of recommendation?
Letters of recommendation should be written by those who have taught you in the classroom or supervised you in a past internship position. Letters should address your professionalism, work ethic, individual initiative, maturity, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and service. The program does not recommend submitting letters written by high school teachers or administrators.

How many internship hours must I complete?
Awardees must commit to completing at least 120 hours during the summer.

Will the Eagleton Institute get me get an internship?
No. Applicants are required identify their own internship placement if they receive the award, however Eagleton staff is available for support in securing a placement.

Does Eagleton provide housing for awardees in Washington D.C.?
No. Students are responsible for finding their own means of housing in the D.C. area. However, Eagleton staff can help awardees identify housing opportunities.

Do I need to have an internship in place before I apply?
No. Applicants are not required to have an internship in place at the time of application. Awardees must submit verification of internship positions to Eagleton once they confirm their award acceptance. All internships must take place in person at the internship placement location in Washington, D.C. at least three days per week during the summer of 2026 to be eligible for the award.

I have a paid internship. Can I apply?
Yes, but the award amount will be less than $6,000.00.

Is the award taxable?
Yes, the award will constitute taxable income to you. You should consult your tax advisor to determine the tax effect of receipt, including whether the award will constitute earned or unearned income (and therefore the tax rate that will be applicable to you).

I’m not a political science major or an Eagleton student. Can I apply?
Yes. Rutgers undergraduate students from all majors and all campus locations are eligible to apply.

I am a graduating senior. Can I apply?
Yes, but you must complete at least 120 internship hours.

I am graduate student/law student. Can I apply?
No. Applicants must be enrolled as Rutgers undergraduate students.

Will I receive course credit for my internship through the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program?
No. The program does not provide course credit. However, you may be able to receive credit through another Rutgers program offered by an academic department or the Office of Career Services.

Can I participate in an internship for which I’m earning credit and still be eligible for the award?
Yes.

When will applicants be notified?
Awardee selection is completed in early 2026. Applicants will be evaluated based on individual initiative, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and service. Interviews may be requested at the discretion of the Selection Committee.