Political Science-Related Scholarships and Fellowships

Jerry Tinker Washington D.C. Summer Internship

Offered through the University of Redlands

All students, especially juniors and seniors, are welcome to apply. Deadline is every fall (TBA) unless otherwise specified.

The Tinker Scholar Program places College of Arts and Sciences students in summer internships and provides funds to defray their costs. Inspired by Mr. Tinker’s distinguished service, the fund was established in 1993 to afford current students opportunities to experience the rich wealth of professional opportunities the Washington D.C. area has to offer and available funds depend largely on a departmental subsidy and continuing support from alumni. The Tinker Fund allows students to spend a summer in Washington and intern with alumni in the DC metropolitan area. The funds can be used to defray direct costs such as airfare, housing, and food. This opportunity is designed for Redlands students who wish to pursue a career in public service and desire to continue their studies and work in the D.C. metro area post-graduation.

The application process is competitive. The application process involves submitting an application, a current résumé, and a cover letter addressing qualifications and rationale for a summer internship experience, and a list of references. Interns are selected on the basis of academic merit and anticipated benefit.

For more information, contact: Dr. Greg Thorson at greg_thorson@redlands.edu

Sacramento Capital Fellows Program

Offered through the State of California and California State University, Sacramento

Seniors and graduates only. The application process is open from late fall to February 1 each year.

The Capital Fellows Programs include four separate programs under one title. Selected from an extremely competitive applicant pool are 18 Assembly Fellows, 18 Senate Fellows, 18 Executive Fellows and 10 Judicial Administration Fellows who begin their public service by working in state government, shaping their careers, and actively contributing to the development and implementation of public policy in California. Fellows in each program work for 10–11 months, receive health benefits and a monthly stipend of $3,253 (in 2023-24) and are employees of Sacramento State. As full-time members of a legislative, executive, or judicial branch office, their responsibilities are considerable. Fellows enroll concurrently as graduate students at Sac State (enrollment fees are covered) and attend courses, earning a graduate certificate in Applied Policy and Government.

"The selection process for the fellows programs starts in the late fall when the application period opens. Anyone with a bachelor's degree by September 1 (of the year they will start working) and a demonstrated interest in state government and public service is eligible to apply. There are no preferred majors. Applicants must be 20 years of age by September 1. Graduate, postgraduate and mid-career applicants are welcome.”

Soon-to-be-graduates can apply to any of the four programs; each program requires a separate application packet.

This state-sponsored fellowship program has been singled out by Forbes Magazine: "The 64 interns in the Sacramento, Calif., Capital Fellows Program do no less than help draft state laws. They also write speeches, conduct policy briefings, and take part in graduate-level seminars in government and public policy. So steeped are they in the work of real-life policymaking that many get offered full-time jobs in California's state government when they finish the 10-month program, which runs from October to September. In addition, they get paid [handsomely]." (S. Adams, "The Best Internships For 2010,"  01.13.10 <http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/13/best-internships-jobs-leadership-careers-employment.html>). 

See Dr. Renée Van Vechten for more information: renee_vanvechten@redlands.edu