CBCF Congressional Summer 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. In order to take part in this opportunity, interns must be a permanent resident in the district of a CBC Member or attend an academic institution in the district of a CBC member. Through this 9-week Congressional internship program, participants gain practical and meaningful work experience on Capitol Hill and obtain first-hand experience working in offices to assist in the process of effectively running a Congressional office and supporting the policy-making process. Interns receive housing and a $3000 stipend. Interns interact with Congressional staffers, explore various aspects of the policy-making process, and build skills to prepare them for careers both within and beyond the policy arena. Over the course of the internship, participants also take part in business networking, team building events, and leadership development sessions to enhance their professional and leadership skills.

CBCF staff will offer information sessions to allow prospective applicants to learn more about our internship program. Should this be of interest, please register for the information session of your choice:

Use the link below to register for the information session on February 13th at 6:00 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlcuigrDMuEtJoXBQLQV9MxExkTb-60xdB

Use the link below to register for the information session on February 27th at 6:00 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlcuigrDMuEtJoXBQLQV9MxExkTb-60xdB

Use the link below to register for the information session on March 13th at 6:00 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlcuigrDMuEtJoXBQLQV9MxExkTb-60xdB

Use the link below to register for the information session on March 27th at 6:00 PM EST:
https://cbcf.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlcuigrDMuEtJoXBQLQV9MxExkTb-60xdB

Candidate Requirements
Note: You must use your full first and last name as your display name when creating your application account.

• Interns must have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• Interns must have full COVID vaccination
• Interns must have U.S. citizenship or a permit to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program (May 29th, 2023 to July 28th, 2023)
• Interns must have an interest in pursuing a career in public service, policy, or law
• Interns must have availability to participate full-time upon acceptance
• Interns cannot be enrolled in classes for the duration of the program (in some cases, the program can be used for credit with university approval)
• Interns must currently be a rising college sophomore, junior, or senior, OR must not have graduated with a bachelor’s degree more than 2 years from the internship program start date
• Interns cannot yet have obtained an advanced degree
• Interns cannot be actively enrolled in graduate studies
• Interns must have a general familiarity with the federal legislative process, the U.S. Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus and its members, and related policy
• Interns must have superior analytical skills
• Interns must have outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Must reside in or attend a university in a CBC member’s congressional district.

Note: Upon acceptance, interns must stay in provided CBCF housing, with a roommate, for the duration of the program

Application Materials
The completed online application must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET, March 31, 2023,.
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 Question Response (located within the Conditional Application)
• 2 letters of recommendation, submitted electronically (hard copy letters will not be accepted)
• Resume listing extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and special skills (2-page limit)
• Transcript (must be uploaded directly in the application portal)
• A recent photograph suitable for publication (i.e., a graduation photo or other professional-quality photograph in which the subject is formally dressed)

PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the General Application to gain access to Conditional Application. If for any reason you are unable to access the conditional application, it may be because you are unqualified for the opportunity. Please reach out to internships@cbcfinc.org for assistance, as necessary. Note that application materials are not accepted via email.

COVID-19 Guidelines
The in-person nature of this program will require both full vaccination and adherence to CDC guidelines, given the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to applying to this program, please read the following expectations in their entirety:

Vaccination Policy

Congressional Interns must (i) provide proof that they are fully vaccinated prior to the start date of the program or (ii) obtain an approved exemption as an accommodation (the process for seeking an accommodation is explained below). Only vaccines authorized for emergency use and/or full use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are acceptable under this policy.

Until full vaccination is documented or an approved exemption as an accommodation is obtained, Congressional Interns may not be approved to participate in the Congressional Internship.

All Congressional Interns are expected to have completed a full vaccination regime (to include booster shots), or have an approved exemption accommodation, prior to arriving to Congressional Intern housing. Interns who have neither been fully vaccinated nor received an exemption accommodation prior to arrival to housing are not permitted in Intern housing. Congressional Interns who fail to become fully vaccinated or obtain an approved exemption accommodation before the program’s start date will be subject to being rejected from the program.

Requests for Accommodations
Congressional Interns may request an approved exemption from the vaccination requirement as an accommodation for medical or sincerely held religious reasons:

• Congressional Interns may request an accommodation for a medical reason such as a disability (as defined by applicable law), pregnancy (or childbirth or a related medical condition), being a nursing mother, having a documented medical condition that contraindicates the vaccination, or any other trait, characteristic, or class for which applicable law requires the CBCF to provide reasonable workplace accommodations.

• Congressional Interns may request an accommodation for a non-medical reason, such as an objection to being vaccinated on the basis of sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.

Accommodation requests for the Spring 2022 Congressional Internship should be submitted to Human Resources in writing no later than April 15, 2023.

Additional Note: Former interns, immediate relatives of a CBCF employee, CBC Member, CBC Spouse, a staff person of a CBC Member or Spouse, a member of the CBCF Board of Directors, Corporate Advisory Council Member of CBCF, or any CBCF-sponsoring entity are not eligible for CBCF internship programs.