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2020-2021 Public Policy Fellowship (CHCI)

2020-2021 CHCI Public Policy Fellowship
EXTENDED Deadline: January 30, 2020, 11:59 pm ET
Program Dates: August 31, 2020 – May 28, 2021

Apply today! Complete your application here: apply.chci.org.

CHCI is seeking to offer exceptional Latinos with recent undergraduate academic degrees from across the country unparalleled exposure to a professional experience in the public policy arena through a paid nine-month fellowship in Washington, D.C. CHCI Public Policy Fellows strengthen their policy skills through hands-on experience working for an office of their choice in Congress for the full nine months or opting to work the second half of the program in a Federal agency, national nonprofit or think tank.

Recent placements for Public Policy Fellows have included:

  • The offices of Rep. Paul Ryan, Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard and Senator Robert Menendez
  • U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs; U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor 
  • Center for Responsible Lending, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), and National Education Association.

As part of the Fellowship, Fellows also participate in CHCI’s exceptional nationally-acclaimed leadership development training program and write a policy brief on a topic of their choice.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to have a degree, work and/or volunteer experience related to, and demonstrated leadership and passion for, addressing issues faced by the Latino community. While no specific degrees are required, recent Public Policy Fellows have had degrees in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, Public Health, Non-Profit Management, International Studies, Sociology, Anthropology, Latin American Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Spanish, Economics, Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Marketing, Journalism, and Film and Television.

Testimonial from a past Fellow:

“As an immigrant and the first person in my family to obtain a university degree, the most important impact the CHCI Public Policy Fellowship Program has had on me is providing me with the chance to expand my view and understanding of the world and the opportunities available to me. Growing up, my mother instilled in me the desire to pursue my dreams and the desire to serve. The Fellowship - through its programming, training, and placements - opened my eyes to the endless possibilities and career opportunities for a driven and service-oriented young Latina professional like me. I was especially moved by how the program exposed me to the top events and professionals in the Washington DC area and by the one-on-one dedication to my personal growth that I received. Thanks to the Fellowship, I am now better equipped to pursue these opportunities and I have reaffirmed that there are no limits on what I can accomplish to better myself and my community.”
-Jessica Valdes Garcia, 2018-2019 CHCI-PepsiCo Foundation Pre-Law Public Policy Fellow, Staff Assistant/Legislative Correspondent in the office of U.S. Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

Public Policy Fellowship Mission:

The CHCI Public Policy Fellowship (PPF) seeks to enhance participants' leadership and professional skills, expand their network and ultimately produce more competent and competitive Latino professionals in public policy areas and careers aimed at making a difference for Latino communities.

Application Check List:

  1. Application Profile
  2. One Letter of Recommendation
  3. Completed Application
  4. Three essay questions (600 words max. PER ESSAY)
  5. Resume (1 page) - include relevant work, academic, volunteer and leadership experience
  6. Transcript (official or unofficial accepted)
  7. Complete copy of current or most recent Student Aid Report (SAR) with Expected Family Contribution (EFC) number clearly shown 

Eligibility Criteria:
Selection as a CHCI Public Policy Fellow is based on a combination of the following criteria:

  • UPDATED DECEMBER 2019: Applicants must have earned a Bachelor's Degree within three years of program start date
  • High academic achievement (preference of 3.0 GPA or higher)
  • Evidence of leadership skills and potential for leadership growth
  • Demonstrates commitment to public service-oriented activities
  • Superior analytical skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills
  • U.S. citizenship or legal permanent residency
  • Eligibility to work in the United States

Please 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
  • 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 or Advisory Council 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.

Participants will receive:

Competitive Pay
  • Over the course of nine months, Public Policy Fellows will receive a gross stipend amount of $26,100. This salary is in line with that of an individual making $34,800 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


Note: The CHCI Public Policy Fellowship Program requires that your degree be conferred within three years of the prospective start of the program. For the 2020-2021 application cycle, you should have completed your degree between May 2017 and August 2020.