This program is designed to encourage Yale undergraduates to explore political careers by funding their participation in challenging internships with elected representatives in Congress or with elected or appointed officials in other political arenas. Proposed internships must be at least 8 weeks in length, and must include primary activities where students can see government and policy-making first hand. The $5,000 fellowship stipend awarded to Women In Government fellows may be used to cover living expenses for the duration of the unpaid internship. Tuition to attend the week long Women’s Campaign School, a five–day intensive course at Yale Law School on the basics of running a successful political campaign, is also covered. Women's Campaign School dates for Summer 2018: June 11 - June 15. This award will also cover food, lodging, and transportation costs to and from the Women's Campaign School.
Funding is open to Yale first-year students, sophomores, and juniors. Internships must include primary activities where students can see government and policy-making first hand. Students who receive funding will be required to attend the Women’s Campaign School. Check with your employer to make sure that you’re eligible to be away from work during these dates.
Students need to apply to various internships separately. This program is solely to fund the opportunity. Please see the resource section below for ideas on how to secure an internship.
The Women in Government application is available through the Student Grants and Fellowships database. Search for "Women in Government" to get started. Applications are available starting December 1, 2017. Applications are due: February 22, 2018.
Students are required to submit the following through the Student Grants and Fellowships database:
Quote: Serving in the immigration department allowed me to focus on one area and study relevant policies and regulations. As I consider my international policy interests, I see immigration policy as something I would be interested in pursuing in the future. Before the internship I saw immigration as a more abstract topic that does not have much relevance to my daily life. Now I see it as an integral part of America that often gets overshadowed by controversial statements by high profile individuals. I am excited to see where this interest may take me in the future and I credit this internship to helping spark my interest in this area.
Maddie Bauer, 2015 Women in Government Fellow
Quote: As a policy intern in Governor Raimondo’s Office, I conducted research, wrote memos, briefed the Governor, created presentations, and participated in interagency and nonprofit meetings. I worked on a wide variety of issues, including broadband, cybersecurity, climate change, criminal justice, education, food justice, healthcare, insurance, living wages, medical marijuana, paid sick leave, renewable energy, transgender rights, and voting laws. I also attended one of the Governor’s Community Conversations and Vice President Biden’s visit. Governor Raimondo talked to all of the summer interns about the responsibility to get involved in government and to make a positive change in our society. She made it clear that this is a particular duty for young women. She talked a lot about being a trailblazing woman, and how women and other underrepresented groups have an extra obligation to serve, to break down biases, and to lead the way for others to follow. She used to look up to Hillary, and now she is a Hillary for me and for my generation.
Sarah Siegel, 2016 Women in Government Fellow
Quote: The Women in Government Program has been absolutely phenomenal. I am so thankful for the program for so many different reasons: I have been energized by the mere purpose of the program, and so passionate about making sure that women in politics are supported like I have been; I have had the amazing opportunity to meet and become close with so many amazing, inspiring women who have taught me so much, provided me so much advice for my future, and supported me in all of my endeavors; I have learned so much technical information about running a campaign and being successful that I could never have dreamed of learning without the Women's Campaign School; and I have had the privilege of being able to live in Washington, D.C. for the summer to get hands-on experience and knowledge with working in the Federal Government - giving my all to learning and the experience, without having to worry about funding or supporting my cost of living. This program is endlessly valuable, and provided me with so much new insight, experience, friendships and mentorships that I know I will treasure for the rest of my life.
XinYuan (Michelle) Hu, 2017 Women in Government Fellow