Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program

About the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program

The Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program provides financial support and meaningful professional development opportunities to outstanding Rutgers undergraduate students from all campuses and majors pursuing in-person summer internships in government, nonprofit, or advocacy organizations in Washington, D.C.

This year, the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program is proud to partner with the Rutgers Scarlet Service in Washington, D.C. (RSS-DC) to offer students interested in public service careers an even more enriching internship experience. Beginning in Summer 2027, the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Program will be part of RSS-DC. In addition to financial support, Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship awardees will now receive comprehensive program benefits, including complimentary housing, internship placement assistance, and enrollment in a three-credit course tuition-free.

Program Overview

• Summer internship experience in Washington, D.C.
• Up to 5 students will receive awards for summer 2027, 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
• $3,800 student stipend
• Free housing
• 3-credit internship course
• In-person events/seminars

Eligibility

• Intended for Rutgers sophomores and juniors from all schools and campuses
• Overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Must complete an in-person internship in Washington, DC for the summer of 2027.
• Must be able to live and travel in Washington, D.C.
• Applicants are not required to have an internship in place at the time of applying.
• A minimum of 150 internship hours are required, with a strong preference for full-time positions in the government or non-profit sector.
• Students who have already taken part in Rutgers Scarlet Service in Washington, D.C. (RSS-DC) in a previous year are ineligible to apply.

Application

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

Complete applications must include:

• Application form
• Updated resume
• Unofficial transcript
• Two references

Applications for the summer 2027 program are now open! All applications must be submitted online through the RSS-DC application portal by Wednesday, November 18th at 11:59 PM. Apply now!

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Rutgers Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program changing in 2027?
Beginning in Summer 2027, the Rutgers Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program will merge with Rutgers Scarlet Service DC (RSS-DC). Instead of operating as a standalone internship award program within the Eagleton Institute, the program will fund additional students each year to participate in the RSS-DC cohort. As part of this transition, award recipients will gain access to several enhanced benefits that were not previously available through the program, including internship placement support, complimentary housing, and a three-credit internship course tuition-free.

How many students will receive awards funded by Eagleton?
A maximum of five (5) students will be funded by the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award. Of these awards, one 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 to support students who demonstrate an interest in developing strategies that support and strengthen democracy.

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 or government office or agency.

Who should I list as a reference?
References should be those who have taught you in the classroom or supervised you in a past internship position. References should be able to speak to your professionalism, work ethic, individual initiative, maturity, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and service. At least one of your two references should be an academic reference, but the program does not recommend using high school teachers or administrators as references.

How many internship hours must I complete?
Awardees must commit to completing at least 150 hours during the summer.

Will this program help me get an internship?
RSS-DC will assist students in their internship search, but students are encouraged to begin the internship search process before selection to the program is made, and will be responsible for taking the lead on their internship applications throughout the spring semester. Specific information about the internship search process will be shared with applicants upon admission to the program.

Can I apply if I already have another internship secured?
Yes, though it will need to be approved by the Eagleton Institute of Politics. Specific information about this process will be shared with applicants upon admission to the program.

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.

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 encouraged to apply.

I am a graduate student/law student. Can I apply?
No. Applicants must be enrolled as Rutgers undergraduate students. This program is intended for rising juniors and seniors.

When will applicants be notified?
Student applications will be reviewed by a selection committee and administrators. Student applicants are usually notified of their status in the program by the end of January.

Contact Information

For questions about the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Program, please contact Felicia Marks at fmarks@eagleton.rutgers.edu. For more information about the RSS-DC program, please visit their website or email rss-dc@rutgers.edu.