Paid Foster Youth Congressional Internship

Organization: Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)

Type: Internship

Location: United States

Deadline: November 1, 2026

Funding: Fully Funded

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) runs a competitive national internship for college students and recent graduates who have spent time in US foster care and want to work on federal policy. Interns spend eight weeks working in the Washington, D.C. office of a Member of Congress and write a federal child welfare policy report that is presented to Congress, the Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services. The program has run since 2003 and has 273 alumni. **What you get:** - A congressional internship in a Member of Congress's Washington, D.C. office, secured for you by CCAI - A monthly stipend during the remote onboarding (February to May) and a weekly stipend while in Washington, D.C. - Housing in Washington, D.C. (dormitory style, assigned by CCAI), travel to and from Washington, D.C., and public transport to and from your congressional office - Orientation with senior congressional staff, advocacy training, networking events and receptions - One-on-one research support from CCAI staff and volunteers, plus an FYI Mentor who is a program alum - A published federal policy report released to policymakers and advocates nationwide; many colleges also give academic credit **What you'll do:** - Complete a remote preparatory onboarding from February 1 to May 28, 2027, about 10 to 15 hours a month - Work full time in a congressional office from May 31 to July 23, 2027: constituent services, research, correspondence, hearings, briefings and Capitol tours - Research and write a federal child welfare policy report with an advisor and present it in congressional briefings **Key dates:** - Part one of the application (online form, 30 to 60 minutes) closes November 1, 2026, reviewed on a rolling basis - Invitations to part two sent on a rolling basis, no later than November 6, 2026 - Full applications, including both recommendations, due December 2, 2026 - Shortlist notified the evening of January 13, 2027; Zoom interviews January 19 to 21, 2027 - Final selections notified by January 22, 2027 - Remote onboarding February 1 to May 28, 2027; in person in Washington, D.C. May 31 to July 23, 2027 **More information:** - Read the 2027 Application Information and Instructions PDF on CCAI's apply page before starting - Part two is by invitation and asks for a research essay of up to four pages in APA style, three scenario responses, a transcript and two recommendations - CCAI bans plagiarism, including the use of AI, in applications - Questions go to CCAI's Programs Coordinator, Lisette DuFore Benz

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI)Internship

Paid Foster Youth Congressional Internship

Nov 01, 2026 23:59:00 UTC

Opportunity type

Internship

Funding

Fully Funded

Location

United States

Deadline

Nov 01, 2026 23:59:00 UTC

About this opportunity

What you get:

A congressional internship in a Member of Congress's Washington, D.C. office, secured for you by CCAI
A monthly stipend during the remote onboarding (February to May) and a weekly stipend while in Washington, D.C.
Housing in Washington, D.C. (dormitory style, assigned by CCAI), travel to and from Washington, D.C., and public transport to and from your congressional office
Orientation with senior congressional staff, advocacy training, networking events and receptions
One-on-one research support from CCAI staff and volunteers, plus an FYI Mentor who is a program alum
A published federal policy report released to policymakers and advocates nationwide; many colleges also give academic credit

What you'll do:

Complete a remote preparatory onboarding from February 1 to May 28, 2027, about 10 to 15 hours a month
Work full time in a congressional office from May 31 to July 23, 2027: constituent services, research, correspondence, hearings, briefings and Capitol tours
Research and write a federal child welfare policy report with an advisor and present it in congressional briefings

Key dates:

Part one of the application (online form, 30 to 60 minutes) closes November 1, 2026, reviewed on a rolling basis
Invitations to part two sent on a rolling basis, no later than November 6, 2026
Full applications, including both recommendations, due December 2, 2026
Shortlist notified the evening of January 13, 2027; Zoom interviews January 19 to 21, 2027
Final selections notified by January 22, 2027
Remote onboarding February 1 to May 28, 2027; in person in Washington, D.C. May 31 to July 23, 2027

More information:

Read the 2027 Application Information and Instructions PDF on CCAI's apply page before starting
Part two is by invitation and asks for a research essay of up to four pages in APA style, three scenario responses, a transcript and two recommendations
CCAI bans plagiarism, including the use of AI, in applications
Questions go to CCAI's Programs Coordinator, Lisette DuFore Benz

Who can apply

At least 12 consecutive months, or at least 20 months in total, in United States foster care at any point in your life, and willing to share your experience
Completed at least four semesters at an accredited college, university or vocational school by May 31, 2027
Currently pursuing a degree, or earned one on or around May 31, 2026 (within the past year at the program start)
Strong writing, grammar and research skills, and a strong interest in improving federal child welfare policy
Available for the whole program: remote onboarding February 1 to May 28, 2027 and in person in Washington, D.C. May 31 to July 23, 2027, including some evenings and weekends; no late arrivals or early departures
Must live in CCAI-assigned dormitory housing for the duration
CCAI invites people who feel they may be untraditionally qualified on the education requirement to contact them

AI Verification

✓ AI Verified

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This opportunity is run by an established organization, and we confirmed its key details against the official source. As always, never share sensitive personal or financial information until you are sure a request is genuine.

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Cross-checked 8 of 13 key facts

Confirmed Our best read Not stated

Good to know

+A paid summer internship in a US congressional office in Washington, D.C., 31 May to 23 July 2027, for young people who have been in foster care
+Stipends, housing, travel to D.C. and local transport are covered
+Run since 2003 by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, with more than 270 alumni
+Free to apply

Worth checking yourself

!Part one of the application closes 1 November 2026; invited applicants then have until 2 December for part two
!You need at least 12 months in a row, or 20 months in total, in US foster care, and at least four semesters of college done by 31 May 2027
!There is also a four-month remote onboarding from February, about 2 to 3 hours a week
!Stipend amounts are not published, and interns cover some smaller expenses themselves
!Using AI to write your application counts as plagiarism and disqualifies you

Sources checked

CCccainstitute.orgApplyCCccainstitute.orgApplyCCccainstitute.orgApplyCCccainstitute.orgApplyS3s3.amazonaws.comOfficialS3s3.amazonaws.comOfficial

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