CHCI Postgraduate Fellowship Program 2026–2027 | Paid Fellowship in Washington, D.C. for U.S. Citizens and Eligible Residents

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is now accepting functions for its Postgraduate Fellowship Program, a prestigious nine-month paid fellowship designed for rising Latino leaders and people devoted to advancing the Latino neighborhood. This aggressive program provides graduate-level professionals the chance to apply their tutorial coaching on to the legislative course of in Washington, D.C., whereas gaining hands-on expertise with public coverage.

Applications open on August 15, 2025, with a remaining deadline of December 1, 2025.

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About the Postgraduate Fellowship Program

The CHCI Postgraduate Fellowship Program equips current Master’s and JD graduates with the abilities, publicity, and coverage expertise wanted to affect nationwide decision-making. Fellows spend 4 days per week on Capitol Hill, working inside Congressional workplaces, federal companies, or different policy-relevant establishments.

The fellowship integrates tutorial information with coverage application, providing members the prospect to discover how public coverage impacts Latino communities throughout the United States. This fellowship is good for people looking for to deepen their engagement with public service, legislative affairs, and community-centered policymaking.

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Eligibility Criteria

The CHCI Postgraduate Fellowship Program has detailed eligibility necessities to make sure that members are academically ready and legally eligible to work in the U.S. All candidates should meet the next:

Educational Requirements

• Completed a Master’s diploma in any area or a Juris Doctor (JD) inside two years of this system begin date (August 19, 2026).
• Doctoral college students are NOT eligible.
• High tutorial achievement most well-liked (minimal 3.0 GPA or larger).

Citizenship & Work Authorization

Applicants have to be:

• U.S. residents,
• lawful everlasting residents,
• asylees, or
• Individuals lawfully approved to work full-time with out restriction for any U.S. employer on the time of application.

Not eligible:

• International college students on F-1 or M-1 visas.

For DACA candidates:
Individuals making use of below Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals should:

• Possess legitimate employment authorization on the time of acceptance, and
• Maintain steady lawful authorization all through all the program.

Professional and Leadership Requirements

Applicants should reveal:

• Evidence of management expertise and potential for management development
• Commitment to public service and community-oriented actions
• Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication expertise
• Interest in Latino coverage points and nationwide public coverage conversations

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Program Details

Program Dates

• August 19, 2026 – May 21, 2027 (9 months)

Location

• Washington, D.C., USA
• Work placement primarily on Capitol Hill

Time Commitment

• Minimum of 32 hours per week on the placement website
• Additional weekly management periods
• Participation in CHCI occasions and service actions

Fellowship Structure

1. Policy Work on Capitol Hill (4 days/week)

Fellows acquire complete publicity to:

• Policymaking
• Legislative analysis
• Drafting memos/briefs
• Stakeholder engagement
• Federal processes affecting Latino communities

2. Weekly Leadership Development (1 day/week)

Training is guided by the CHCI Four Pillars of Leadership:

• Self Discovery
• Transformation by way of Collective Power
• Rooted in My Strength
• Planting Seeds for Tomorrow

Programming consists of:

• Leadership coaching
• Policy discussions
• Career growth
• Cultural competency and community-centered studying

3. Issue Brief and Capitol Hill Briefing

Every Fellow should:

• Research, write, and publish a coverage difficulty temporary on a subject impacting the Latino neighborhood
• Organize and ship a Capitol Hill coverage briefing to share findings and suggestions

Fellowship Concentration Areas

Fellows might give attention to coverage areas akin to:

• Health
• Ok–12 Education
• Technology
• Child Welfare
• Housing
• Law

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Program Requirements

Fellows should fulfill the next obligations:

• Work 32+ hours weekly at placement website
• Complete 9-day orientation
• Attend all weekly management growth periods
• Complete neighborhood service hours
• Participate in all CHCI-sponsored occasions:
  • Hispanic Heritage Month actions
  • Summits
  • Receptions
• Write and publish an difficulty temporary
• Plan and execute a Capitol Hill coverage briefing
• Comply with CHCI insurance policies concerning conduct and efficiency

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Program Benefits

CHCI gives beneficiant advantages to help Fellows all through this system:

• Gross stipend of $40,950 for the nine-month interval
  • Equivalent to a $51,720 annualized wage, prorated
• Round-trip home journey stipend or voucher to Washington, D.C.
• Medical, dental, and imaginative and prescient insurance coverage, totally paid by CHCI
• $200 month-to-month Metro stipend
• Professional Development stipend (one-year LinkedIn Premium subscription)
• Weekly management growth
• Exclusive networking alternatives with policymakers, leaders, and nationwide organizations
• Access to Congressional workplaces and coverage networks

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How to Apply

Applications have to be submitted by way of CHCI’s official on-line application system as soon as the portal opens.

Application Opens: August 15, 2025

Deadline: December 1, 2025

Applicants ought to put together:

• Updated résumé
• Academic transcripts (as requested)
• Personal statements or essays
• Evidence of labor authorization
• Letters of advice (if required)

Selection Process

The CHCI choice course of consists of:

1. Written Application Review
2. Asynchronous Interview
3. Final Live Zoom Interview with CHCI program employees

Applications and interviews are evaluated by:

• CHCI employees
• Program alumni
• CHCI Board and Advisory Council members

Only prime candidates proceed to remaining interviews and choice.

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Important Links

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The CHCI Postgraduate Fellowship Program 2026–2027 is a useful alternative for Master’s and JD graduates looking for skilled expertise in public coverage, management growth, and Latino neighborhood advocacy. With its aggressive stipend, in depth coaching, and placement on Capitol Hill, this fellowship provides rising leaders the prospect to affect significant coverage change whereas advancing their careers in Washington, D.C.

 

 

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