2025-2026 Congressional Fellowship

 

Program Overview

 

The APAICS Congressional Fellowship offers an opportunity to serve our nation and deepen understanding of public policy through participation in the legislative process. Fellows are placed with a congressional office or committee for 12 months and are given work equivalent to that of a congressional legislative aide. By the end of the Fellowship, Fellows will establish a professional network on Capitol Hill, understand how Congress operates, and acquire skills and expertise that make them marketable to congressional offices, federal agencies, nonprofits, and even private companies.  

 

Applicants who commit to learning about and presenting on one of the following policy areas will get special consideration:

 

• Aerospace & Defense

• Health Policy

• Clean Energy & Innovation

• STEM

 

APAICS Congressional Fellows are not employees of the federal government, their host office, or APAICS. Fellows will receive a monthly educational stipend of $3,500/mo and a $200/mo health care stipend. 

 

Each Fellowship experience will differ depending on the office in which they are placed and the portfolio assigned. However, Fellows will be required to gather as a cohort twice a month to discuss their experiences and for professional development opportunities. Fellows are also expected to attend events organized by APAICS, such as our Annual Gala, and must make a public presentation on a policy topic of their choosing for 30 minutes toward the end of the Fellowship year.

 

2025-2026 Congressional Fellowship Program Dates: September 02, 2025 – August 28, 2026

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Location: Washington, D.C.

 

Application Deadline: January 31, 2025 at 11:59PM ET

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*If you are currently affected by the wildfires in Southern California and may be unable to make the application deadline, please reach out to programs@apaics.org to inquire about an application extension.*

 

Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are complete. (e.g. Applications that include two letters of recommendation and the other elements required below.) Strong applicants may be selected to advance to second-round interviews before the application deadline. You are encouraged to complete your application as soon as possible.  

 

Application

 

Completed applications will include a(n):

 

• Cover letter expressing interest in the program

• Resume (one page maximum)

• Academic transcript

• Two letters of recommendation

• Responses to the following three questions (one page max for each question):

 

• How do you envision the APAICS fellowship playing a role in your career path? Why are you applying?

 

• Please help the review committee understand your experience in America with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islanders. At what points have you lived near to or far from an AA & NH/PI community? How has your proximity to and involvement with the AA & NH/PI community (or lack thereof) shaped your identity and influenced your views on the role of public policy? 

 

• Should public policy incentivize assimilation of minority communities or preservation of diverse cultures and languages? What balance should be struck and what challenges do you foresee in either case? Discuss. 

 

Responses to each question should be no more than one page each, in 12-point, Times New Roman font.

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APAICS Congressional Fellowship Info Sessions

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Hear from alumni on their Congressional Fellowship experience! The first session is a general overview of the program featuring alums. The second session features Republican alumni who speak on their experience in the program.

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Still have questions? Please contact programs@apaics.org.

 

Please do not contact the office regarding your application status. Only qualified candidates will be directly contacted by program supervisors. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to all applicants.