Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program

About the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award Program

This donor-supported award program provides up to $6,000.00 grants to outstanding Rutgers undergraduate students for in-person summer internships in government/public service in Washington, D.C. The monetary award is meant to ease the financial burden of working in Washington 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 2023 award recipients.

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Eligibility

• Applicants are not required to have an internship in place at the time of application.
• Up to 8 students will receive awards for summer 2023, including one award from the Katherine K. Neuberger Fund to support an undergraduate with interest in women’s political leadership.
• Awardees will be required to independently secure their Washington, D.C. internship positions by May 26, 2023 in order to be eligible to receive their award. Eagleton staff can provide assistance identifying internship opportunities.
• Applicants must be enrolled as undergraduate students at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey for Spring 2023. Students enrolled at Rutgers in Camden, Newark, or New Brunswick are eligible to apply.
• Rutgers undergraduates from all majors and all campus locations are encouraged to apply.
• Applicants must complete an in-person internship in Washington, DC for the summer of 2023.
• 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.
• Applicants must have completed a FAFSA for the most recent academic year. Students who fail to complete a FASFA will be ineligible for the award.

“It’s about access. This award helped me to understand the corridors of power – how students with money continue to access opportunities that are otherwise inaccessible. However, because of generous individuals and the Rutgers-Eagleton Internship Award, I accessed these spaces. The access and experience I gained by interning in Washington, D.C. helped lead me to Harvard Law School.”
– Mohamed Light, 2017 Award Recipient

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
• Cover letter as a PDF
• One letter of recommendation emailed to jronan@eagleton.rutgers.edu as a PDF
• Contact information for two references
• Unofficial transcript (including Fall 2022 grades and Spring 2023 enrollment)

All applications must be submitted online. Applications for the summer 2023 are closed. Selection of awardees will be announced on or around February 24, 2023.

The deadline to apply for the Rutgers-Eagleton Washington Internship Award program is Friday February 10, 2023 at 5:00PM EST.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many students will receive awards?
A maximum of eight (8) students will be awarded up to $6000.00.

What is considered an in-person internship placement?
A in-person internship placement requires students to be working in-person at the internship placement location in Washington, D.C. at least 4 days per week.

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

Who should complete my reference?
References 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 or service.

How should I submit contact information for my references?
Contact information for references should be submitted via the online application form.

How many internship hours must I complete?
Awardees must commit to completing at least 120 hours during the summer. Priority will be given to students with full-time internships.

Will the Eagleton Institute get me get an internship?
No. Applicants are required to have an internship placement if they receive the award.

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 four days per week during the summer of 2023 to be eligible for the award, with a strong preference for placements in government or the non-profit sector.

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’m a Camden/Newark student. Can I apply?
Yes. Rutgers undergraduate students enrolled in Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick/ Piscataway are all 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 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 during the month of February. Applicants will be notified at that time. Applicants will be evaluated based on individual initiative, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and service, and financial need. Interviews may be requested at the discretion of the Selection Committee.