What
10-Week Fellowship Program
When
May 29 – Aug 2, 2024
Where
Capitol Hill, Washington D.C.
2023 cohort applications ARE now open
“CLDP is an incredibly important program. We definitely need a pipeline of Muslim American youth going into, not just office, but working on Capitol Hill, as staffers, staff assistants, and you CLDP is THE program to help you do that.”
Our Summer Program Places You in a Coveted Capitol Hill Internship Position
The Congressional Leadership Development Program helps prepare students just like you to become future Mayors, City Councilors, Members of Congress, CEOs and non-profit Executive Directors.
Get 10 Weeks of Hands-On Experience Working on Capitol Hill
Through decades of advocacy and policy work in D.C. our program gives each fellow exclusive access and opportunities to learn and grow. The most valuable takeaways from our past fellows are:
- Learning what goes on behind closed doors – what the legislative process actually looks like.
- Experiencing the inner workings of a congressional office and how the body as a whole operates.
- Developing relationships that will continue to help you grow both personally and professionally.
- Accessing opportunities to network with some of the best in D.C.
In addition to your in-office experience, CLDP offers programs during your 10-week journey that fill your evenings with opportunities to learn and network outside of the workday.
CLDP is Free to Apply
For chosen fellows, we provide both housing and a $3,000 stipend for cost of living expenses during the 10-week program. Fellows can expect to live in a metro accessible area of Washington D.C. Housing will be dorm-style with roommate pairings.
2021 CLDP fellows with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar between deliberations on a House vote.
Meet and Learn from Washington Insiders
CLDP Networking events regularly host professionals from:
- Academia
- Advocacy institutions
- Civil society
- Congress
- Corporations
- Foundations
- Government agencies
- Law firms
- News media
- Nonprofits
- Policy experts
- Think tanks
- Tech companies
- Unions
Discover Dozens of Career Paths
The career options are endless:
- Attorney/Counsel
- Campaign Manager
- CEO
- Chief of Staff
- City Council Representative
- Corporate Advisor
- Diplomat
- Government Official
- Governor
- Grassroots Organizer
- Journalist
- Lobbyist
- Member of Congress
- Nonprofit Executive
- Policy Expert
- President
- Professor
“CLDP is like an incubator for different policy-related careers, you don’t have to run for office to gain something valuable.”
Amira Daugherty
CLDP Fellow, 2019 Cohort
Ongoing Mentorship
Our Summer Program isn’t a one and done experience. From start to finish, you’ll have access to our coaching staff to guide you as you learn more about yourself and the opportunities available to advance your career.
CLDP offers two types of advisors, Hill advisors and Alumni advisors. Alumni advisors have also gone through CLDP and can connect with and advise current fellows on how to succeed as an intern/fellow and how to take advantage of opportunities throughout the program.
Hill advisors serve as mentors that advise on issues that develop throughout your internship. They’ll advise on how to navigate the Hill and how to transition into paid staff positions or other career opportunities.
Rabia Osman, 2019 CLDP Fellow
Your Passions & Interests are Needed on Capitol Hill
You don’t have to be a political science major to have an impact on legislation and policy decisions. We work with our fellows to find career paths that match your interests to the needs in our government.
As a Tech Fellow, I had the amazing opportunity to serve as the Congresswoman’s eyes and ears on tech. This summer I proposed legislation to Congresswoman Clarke to promote virtual reality as a tool for professional development. The Congresswoman loved the idea, and as a result I drafted H.R. 4103 which was introduced in the House in July.
“This kind of opportunity doesn’t come to a lot of people who come from minority communities…
CLDP makes these kinds of opportunities accessible for everyone.”
— Preston Nouri, 2021 CLDP Fellow