Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF)


Congressional Fellows Program

Overview

The CBCF Congressional Fellows Program is CBCF's premier policy
training and leadership development program for individuals with
graduate or professional degrees. Fellows gain invaluable Capitol Hill
experience as they assist in the development of legislative and public
policy initiatives while working in the offices of Congressional Black
Caucus Members. To maximize their experience, CBCF Congressional
Fellows attend leadership development seminars/retreats, complete a
community service project, and produce a policy research paper during
their nine-month fellowship term.

Eligibility
Applicants for the Congressional Fellowship Program must possess a
master's or professional degree. Preference is given to individuals
with a demonstrated interest in public policy and a commitment to
black political empowerment. All Fellows must be able to participate
for the full nine-month program.

The Fellowship Experience

The Congressional Fellowship Program is designed around two
components: public policy training and leadership development. The
intensity of the program is comparable to working in a full-time
position while completing six to nine graduate credit hours. Outside
employment and/or taking classes during the fellowship is strongly
discouraged. Participants in the Congressional Fellowship Program must
reside in or relocate to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Fellows receive a stipend totaling $25,000 and health and dental
insurance for the nine-month fellowship period. Fellows are
responsible for their travel, housing, and other associated expenses.

The centerpiece of the public policy training component is a
nine-month Congressional office placement. During the office
placement, Fellows gain invaluable experience as they assist in the
development of legislative and public policy initiatives while working
as Congressional staff. Fellows work 40 hours per week on a range of
staff assignments, including legislative analysis, responding to
constituent mail, drafting legislation, and coordinating logistics and
public testimony for Congressional hearings. Additionally, Fellows are
required to write a public policy research paper, policy brief, and
op-ed article on a matter of mutual interest to themselves and the
Member for whom they work.

Fellows also attend seminars on policy and politics. The seminars are
supplemented by a series of lectures and briefings by Members of the
CBC and other Congressional leaders, federal government officials, and
public policy experts.

Leadership Development

The leadership development component of the fellowship complements the
policy training on the Hill and the policy research assignments. CBCF
Fellows participate in a series of leadership development retreats and
a community service project. The purpose of these activities is to
help Fellows acquire the tools necessary for leadership positions and
to gain practical experience in working with others to serve their
communities.

Selection Process

The CBCF Congressional Fellows Program is highly competitive.
Typically, fewer than ten percent of applicants are accepted. The
selection committee includes CBCF staff, Hill staffers, CBCF alumni,
and other CBCF stakeholders. Semi-finalists are interviewed by phone.
Finalists are notified within a week after their phone interview.

Application Deadline: April 18, 2008
http://www.cbcfinc.org/Leadership%20Education/pdf/fellows_08.pdf