Public Policy Fellowship Program
Experience: College Graduate
Application Launch: August 15, 2026
Program Dates: August 18, 2027 – May 19, 2028
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
Begin your path toward becoming one of our nation’s future changemakers. Recent college graduates can take advantage of this paid fellowship, which opens doors for talented young Latinos and individuals deeply committed to advancing the Latino community who are interested in gaining public policy experience and advancing their careers. You will spend nine months working in Washington, D.C., with exposure to leaders in congressional offices, federal agencies, national nonprofit advocacy organizations, and the private sector—growing both personally and professionally during your fellowship experience.
This nine-month paid program helps talented leaders gain public policy experience and accelerate their careers as emerging leaders. Applicants to the Public Policy Fellowship Program must have earned a bachelor’s degree in any field within three years of the program start date.
As a CHCI Public Policy Fellow, you will immerse yourself in the legislative process, spending four days each week learning all facets of public policy. Once a week, you will join the Fellowship cohort for a full day of leadership development centered on CHCI’s four Pillars of Leadership—Self Discovery, Transformation through Collective Power, Rooted in my Strength, and Planting Seeds for Tomorrow. The CHCI pillars provide the foundation for culturally relevant programming with timely content to create opportunities, transform, influence, and connect the next generation of leaders. Weekly programming will refine your leadership abilities, affirm your career goals and area of focus, and allow you to spend time discussing policy issues of national concern.
Your weekly programming will also prepare you to fully understand policy issues facing the Latino community and how to propose effective solutions by critically examining all sides and implications of these issues.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
- Attend a 9 day orientation and weekly leadership development sessions throughout the program
- Work a minimum of 32 hours a week at placement site
- Complete community service hours
- Attend a one-week orientation and weekly leadership development sessions
- Participate in all CHCI-sponsored activities including Hispanic Heritage Month events, Summits, and receptions
- Research, write and publish an issue brief on a topic of your choice that impacts the Latino community
- Comply with CHCI policies regarding work performance and personal conduct
PROGRAM BENEFITS
- Work experience in Washington, D.C.
- Over nine months, Public Policy Fellows will receive a gross stipend of $34,200. This salary is in line with that of an individual making $43,200 per year, prorated for 9 months
- Stipend or voucher to subsidize domestic round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for the fellow during the program (all premiums paid by CHCI)
- $200 per month Metro stipend
- Professional Development stipend for a one-year subscription of LinkedIn Premium
- Weekly leadership development training
- Exclusive networking opportunities
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
- Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in any field within three years of the program start date
- High academic achievement (preference of 3.0 GPA or higher)
- Evidence of leadership skills and potential for leadership growth
- Demonstrated commitment to public service-oriented activities
- Superior analytical skills, outstanding oral and written communication skills
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or individuals who are lawfully authorized to work full-time without restriction for any U.S. employer and who, at the time of application, possess lawful evidence of employment authorization. International students on F-1 or M-1 visas are not eligible for CHCI programs.
- NOTE: Individuals who are seeking consideration under the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival” (DACA) policy must be eligible to work and possess valid employment authorization at the time of acceptance, and must maintain continuous lawful employment authorization for the duration of the program for which the person is applying.
SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process is competitive, consisting of three stages: (1) a written application, (2) a asynchronous interview and (3) a final live zoom interview with CHCI program staff. Written applications and prerecorded interviews are reviewed by a selection committee composed of program alumni, members of the CHCI Board of Directors and Advisory Council, and CHCI staff. Only top candidates receive an invitation to interview for a select number of fellowship opportunities, based on the quality of their application and demonstrated interest in public policy.
FAQS
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CHCI gave me the support I needed to consider my dreams and take meaningful steps to go about achieving them. The CHCI family, and the community of people dedicated to your success as a fellow is an invaluable resource that inspires you to keep pushing forward.
2024-2025 PUBLIC POLICY FELLOW, ADONIS RANDEL ORTIZ MERCADO
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