Program Overview

The APAICS Congressional Fellowship is designed for young AAPI professionals looking to increase their experience in public policy and service. The full-time paid, 9-month program places fellows in congressional offices to gain policy experience as part of the legislative team. The program provides fellows with opportunities to build their leadership skills, encourages political engagement, and fosters interest in a public service career.

APAICS Fellows are placed across House and Senate offices, committees, and leadership offices. General Congressional Fellows work on a variety of policy issues depending on their interest, expertise, and the placement office’s needs. Issue area-specific tracks are designed for applicants with interest/experience in the policy area. Applicants for an issue-specific track will also be considered for any general congressional fellowship opening as well. Previous issue area-specific fellowship tracks include general legislative fellows, education fellows, STEM fellows, and financial services fellows.

Fellowship Tracks:  1. General Congressional Fellowship and 2. Racial Equity Fellowship

APAICS Congressional Fellows Receive:

• Professional work experience in Washington, DC
• A grant of $27,000 for the duration of the nine-month fellowship (equivalent to a $36,000 annual salary)
• Domestic round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C.
• Professional Development Funds
• Health insurance reimbursement up to $200 a month
• Professional development programs, networking, and access to the APAICS alumni network

Program Requirements

• Work 40 hours a week at the placement site
• Attend a one-day orientation
• Attend the APAICS annual Gala in May 2022
• Participate in APAICS-sponsored professional development events
• Complete quarterly reports
• Submit a mid-program and end of program evaluation
• Comply with APAICS policies regarding work performance and personal conduct
• Develop and execute a policy briefing to promote public policy issues of importance to AAPIs

Eligibility Requirements

• Have completed their undergraduate or graduate degree and/or have at least five years of public service experience prior to the program start date.
• ​Note: A few of our Congressional host offices require candidates to have a graduate degree. We encourage applicants who will have completed a master’s degree or J.D. by September 2022 to apply. That being said, you do not need to have a graduate degree to be considered for our other Congressional host offices.
• Be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals who are legally authorized to work full-time without restriction for any U.S. employer and who possess lawful evidence of employment authorization.
• Note: Individuals who are seeking consideration under the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival” (DACA) policy must possess an Employment Authorization Document at the time of application that is valid throughout the program.
• Family members of the APAICS Board of Directors or National Advisory Council are prohibited from participating in any APAICS programs.

Application Guidelines

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Essay Responses
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Academic Transcript(s) (official or unofficial, if applicable)

Deadline to apply: February each year

Timeframe for Fellowship: September-June each year

Selection Process

The APAICS Congressional Fellowship Program is a highly competitive program. Applications are reviewed in a multi-step process by a Selection Committee that includes program alumni, staff, and board members.

​Round 1 – Application review: Applications are reviewed individually and scored by the Selection Committee. Applications are scored based on evidence of leadership and leadership potential, including community involvement, commitment to public service, clarity of writing, and ability to challenge self.

​Round 2 – Interview: Top candidates receive an invitation to interview with members of the Selection Committee. Interviews are scored based on leadership qualities and experience, professionalism, commitment to public service, and future plans and aspirations.

​Round 3 – Finalist Interviews: Top candidates following Round 2 will be designated as finalists by the selection committee. Finalist application packages are forwarded to congressional office partners for interviews and placement.

​APAICS Congressional Racial Equity Fellows Receive:

• Professional work experience in Washington, DC
• A grant of $27,000 for the duration of the nine-month fellowship (equivalent to a $36,000 annual salary)
• Domestic round-trip transportation to Washington, D.C.
• Professional Development Funds
• Health insurance reimbursement up to $200 a month
• Professional development programs, networking, access to the APAICS alumni network, and opportunities to travel for briefings and conferences where anti-Asian hate legislation is being discussed.

Program Requirements

• Work 40 hours a week at the placement site
• Attend a one-day orientation
• Attend the APAICS annual Gala in May
• Participate in APAICS-sponsored professional development events
• Collaborate with fellows from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
• Complete quarterly reports
• Submit a mid-program and end of program evaluation
• Comply with APAICS policies regarding work performance and personal conduct
• In the latter half of the program, Racial Equity Fellows will host policy briefings on Capitol Hill and engage in discussions that examine Congress’s agenda to address social justice reform and its implications as it relates to the AAPI community. Racial Equity Fellows will produce policy session(s) creating awareness around AAPI social justice issues and anti-hate legislation.
• During Asian Heritage Month in May, fellows will analyze best practices and policy solutions regarding the impact of racial disparities in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Fellows will work to engage in anti-hate research and develop K-12 education curriculum around Asian American and Pacific Islander history. Their research will culminate in a racial equity session that they will organize and present at the next APAICS Legislative Summit in May.

Eligibility Requirements

• Have completed their undergraduate or graduate degree and/or have at least five years of public service experience prior to the program start date.
• ​Note: A few of our Congressional host offices require candidates to have a graduate degree. We encourage applicants who will have completed a master’s degree or J.D. by December 2021 to apply. That being said, you do not need to have a graduate degree to be considered for our other Congressional host offices.
• Be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or individuals who are legally authorized to work full-time without restriction for any U.S. employer and who possess lawful evidence of employment authorization.
• Note: Individuals who are seeking consideration under the “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival” (DACA) policy must possess an Employment Authorization Document at the time of application that is valid throughout the program.
• Family members of the APAICS Board of Directors or National Advisory Council are prohibited from participating in any APAICS programs.

Application Guidelines

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Essay Responses
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Academic Transcript(s) (official or unofficial, if applicable)

Deadline to apply:  November each year

Timeframe of fellowship: December-August each year

Selection Process

The APAICS Congressional Racial Equity Fellowship Program is a highly competitive program. Applications are reviewed in a multi-step process by a Selection Committee that includes program alumni, staff, and board members.

​Round 1 – Application review: Applications are reviewed individually and scored by the Selection Committee. Applications are scored based on evidence of leadership and leadership potential, including community involvement, commitment to public service, clarity of writing, and ability to challenge self.

​Round 2 – Interview: Top candidates receive an invitation to interview with members of the Selection Committee. Interviews are scored based on leadership qualities and experience, professionalism, commitment to public service, and future plans and aspirations.

​Round 3 – Finalist Interviews: Top candidates following Round 2 will be designated as finalists by the selection committee. Finalist application packages are forwarded to congressional office partners for interviews and placement.

​Questions?   Please contact: programs@apaics.org