Graduate Fellows - Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

Who: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute

What: The Graduate Fellowship Program (GFP) enhances participants’ leadership abilities, strengthens professional skills, and produces more competent and competitive Latino professionals. This nine-month paid program offers exceptional Latinos unparalleled exposure to hands-on experience in a variety of public policy areas, which may include: Education, Housing, Health, Law, and STEM (with a focus on energy and the environment). Participants will complete their first-half placement in a congressional office on Capitol Hill and will have the opportunity to pursue a second-half placement that best matches their policy interest. The range of placements include: congressional offices, committees, federal agencies, the White House, national non-profit advocacy organizations, and government-related institutions. Graduate Fellows will also enhance their professional skills by producing a policy brief and organizing a policy briefing on Capitol Hill.Applicants to the Graduate Fellowship Program must have completed a master’s degree or JD within two years prior to the program start date.


CHCI Graduate Fellows will receive:

• Competitive Pay
• Over the course of nine months, Graduate Fellows will receive a gross stipend amount of $29,700. This salary is in line with that of an individual making $39,600 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

Program Requirements

• Work a minimum of 32 hours a week at placement site 
• Attend a one-week orientation and weekly leadership development sessions and participate in a retreat Participate in all CHCI-sponsored activities 
• Complete 24 hours of community service, including a group community service project 
• Develop and execute a policy briefing to promote public policy issues of importance to Latinos Research, write and potentially publish a public policy paper connected with the topic of your policy briefing 
•  Comply with CHCI policies regarding work performance and personal conduct

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must have completed a master’s degree or J.D. prior to the program start date (doctoral students are NOT eligible to apply) 
• 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. 
• 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 that is valid throughout the program. 

• 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, Advisory Council and Staff 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.

Selection Process

The selection process is competitive. Annually, CHCI receives about twenty applications for every one available fellowship. Applications 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.

2019-2020 Fellowship Program Dates: August 31, 2020 – May 28, 2021

Application Deadline: January 15, 2020