2026 WCPI Congressional Fellowship on Women and Public Policy (Paid Opportunity) Deadline: 13 June, 2025

2026 WCPI Congressional Fellowships on Women and Public Policy (Stipend: $4,400/Month) (Paid Opportunity in Washington, D.C.)

The Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI) is now accepting applications for its highly respected 2026 Congressional Fellowships on Women and Public Policy. This program provides a unique and fully funded opportunity for graduate students and recent graduates to gain in-depth, hands-on experience in U.S. legislative processes while working on policies affecting women and their families.

This is the only graduate-level fellowship on Capitol Hill specifically focused on women’s public policy issues. Fellows will contribute meaningfully to the legislative process and develop leadership and policy expertise that they can use throughout their careers.

About the Fellowship

The WCPI Congressional Fellowship Program is designed to prepare the next generation of leaders to influence public policy from the perspective of women’s needs and experiences. Fellows serve full-time in congressional offices as legislative assistants and participate in weekly policy seminars conducted by WCPI staff.

Since its founding, the program has helped advance women’s representation in the policymaking space and continues to promote inclusive leadership.

Host Organization

• Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI)
• Location: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., United States
• Website

Fellowship Details

• Fellowship Period: January to July 2026 (7 months)
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week
• Monthly Stipend: Approximately $4,400 (gross)
• Health Insurance Allowance: Additional $1,000
• Application Deadline: Friday, June 13, 2025, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time
• Application Portal: Apply Here

What Fellows Do

Fellows will:

• Serve as legislative assistants in congressional offices.
• Engage with policy issues affecting women and families.
• Attend weekly public policy issue seminars organized by WCPI.
• Conduct policy research, draft briefings, and assist in legislative tracking and outreach.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the WCPI Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be currently enrolled in a graduate program or have completed one within two years of the fellowship start date (i.e., since January 2024).
• Have completed at least nine credit hours of graduate coursework before applying.
• Demonstrate a strong interest in public policy affecting women and families.
• Possess strong research, writing, and communication skills.
• Be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of application.
• Be fluent in reading, writing, and speaking English.

WCPI encourages applications from individuals of all genders, races, religions, sexual orientations, academic disciplines, and political affiliations. The program values diversity and inclusion in public leadership.

Required Application Materials

Applicants must submit the following through the WCPI application portal:

• Resume (CV)
• Official academic transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Responses to two essay questions
• Completed application form

Note: All application components must be submitted by the stated deadline. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Selection Process

• Applications close: June 13, 2025
• Semi-finalist interviews: July 2025 (held virtually)
• Final decisions announced: Early August 2025

Fellows are selected based on academic performance, policy interests, adaptability, and writing ability. Finalists will be notified directly by WCPI.

Why Apply?

The WCPI Congressional Fellowship provides invaluable exposure to public policy processes and the inner workings of Congress. It is a powerful launching pad for careers in government, law, public service, or nonprofit leadership focused on gender equity and family well-being.

Former fellows have gone on to occupy influential positions in public policy, advocacy, and leadership roles across sectors.

For further inquiries, applicants may contact

Conclusion

The 2026 WCPI Congressional Fellowships represent a rare opportunity to engage directly with the U.S. legislative process while contributing to critical gender-related policy development. If you are a graduate student or recent graduate passionate about policymaking, equity, and leadership, this fellowship will offer the tools, network, and experience to create lasting change.

Apply by June 13, 2025, to begin your journey as a future policy leader on Capitol Hill.

All eligible applicants should access the forms here

For more opportunities Click Here