CBCF Congressional Summer Internship Program

SUMMER 2027 CBCF CONGRESSIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The summer-long Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Incorporated (CBCF) Congressional Internship Program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as recently graduated persons, in the offices of Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Members. To take part in this opportunity, interns must be permanent residents in the district of a CBC Member or attend an academic institution in the district of a CBC Member. Through this 9-week internship, participants gain practical and meaningful work experience on Capitol Hill and obtain firsthand experience supporting the day-to-day work of a congressional office and the policymaking process.

The Summer 2027 program will take place in person from May 24 through July 23, 2027, with move-in on May 22 and office placements beginning June 1. Interns receive CBCF-provided housing and a $3,000 stipend. Interns interact with congressional staffers, explore various aspects of the policymaking process, and build skills to prepare them for careers within and beyond the policy arena. Throughout the internship, participants also take part in business networking, team-building events, and leadership development sessions to enhance their professional and leadership skills.

Summer 2027 Program Details At-A-Glance

Internship tracks: Congressional Internship and Pathways to the C-Suite

Program length: 9 weeks

Stipend: $3,000

Housing: CBCF-provided housing

Move-in: May 22, 2027

Orientation begins: May 24, 2027

First day in office: June 1, 2027

Cohort concludes: July 23, 2027

Application Period

Applications for the Summer 2027 CBCF Internship Program open September 1, 2026 and close November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Important 2-Step Application Process

Complete and submit the General Application.

After submitting the General Application, locate the applicable opportunity under “Recommended Opportunities” and complete the Conditional Application specific to the internship track for which you are applying.

Both the General Application and the applicable Conditional Application must be completed and submitted by the application deadline for an applicant to be considered.

Opportunities Overview

Summer 2027 internship tracks: Congressional Internship and Pathways to the C-Suite.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants may submit an application for only one Summer 2027 internship track. Applicants should review both opportunity descriptions and eligibility requirements carefully before selecting a track.

General Requirements for All Summer 2027 Interns

Interns must have U.S. citizenship or a permit to work in the United States for the duration of the program.

Interns must have availability to participate full-time upon acceptance.

Interns cannot yet have obtained a graduate degree.

Interns cannot be actively enrolled in graduate studies.

Interns cannot be enrolled in classes for the duration of the program. In some cases, the program may be used for academic credit with university approval.

Interns must demonstrate strong analytical skills.

Interns must demonstrate outstanding oral and written communication skills.

Congressional Internship Requirements

Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants must be a current college sophomore, junior, or senior, or a recent graduate within two years of the internship program start date.

Applicants must have an interest in pursuing a career in public service, policy, or law.

Applicants must have general familiarity with the federal legislative process, the U.S. Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus and its members, and related policy.

Applicants must reside in or attend a college or university in the congressional district of a Congressional Black Caucus Member.

Application Materials

The completed online application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 30, 2026.

The following items will be requested through the online application:

1 video recording in response to a provided prompt located within the Conditional Application.

1 essay response located within the Conditional Application.

2 letters of recommendation, uploaded by the applicant directly to the application portal.

Resume listing extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and specific skills (2-page limit).

Transcript uploaded directly to the application portal. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.

Essay Prompt

Choose a social justice policy issue (e.g., criminal justice reform, voting rights, the school-to-prison pipeline, public education, housing, racial discrimination in the workplace, etc.) that you believe is most relevant to the Black community and should be championed by members of the Congressional Black Caucus through legislation.

Maximum length: 150 words, not including sources.

Selection Process

The Internship is a highly competitive program. Applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of program alumni, staff, and board members. Top candidates receive an invitation to interview.

Questions?

Please contact: internships@cbcfinc.org