Fred Harris Congressional Internship

The application for FA25 & SP26 opens Monday, December 2, 2024

Application Link (this link will not be active until 12/2/24).

Application deadline: Friday, March 28, 2025 at 5:00pm MST

To read about the Internship Founder, Frequently Asked Questions, and more click here!

Beginning in 2006, UNM established an internship program to allow its students to travel to Washington, DC to learn through direct experience how federal policy is formulated in our nation's capital. The program's objective is to provide academically outstanding undergraduate students who have an interest in public policy the opportunity to participate in public service by observing and contributing to the policy-making process. The internship experience helps students understand the challenges and rewards of public life and gives them opportunities to develop their professional skills.

Each semester, up to five selected interns travel to Washington, DC to work in NM delegation member offices. We anticipate many will use their internship experience as a springboard into careers in our nation's capitol, while others will choose to continue their education by entering into graduate, law, or medical school.

Undergraduate students with a minimum of 60 earned credit hours and a 3.0 minimum cumulative grade point average are eligible to participate. (60 earned credit hour minimum may include classes in progress at the time of application.) No particular major or disciplinary background is required. Students will acquire skills and experience that will serve them well no matter what career they choose.

We seek applications from students who have demonstrated academic excellence as well as an interest in studying the legislative process.

Up to five interns will be selected for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters. The Department of Political Science, if our budget allows, provides some financial support to help defray costs associated with living in DC. Interns are required to complete 15 credit hours as specified by the Department of Political Science. 

Required Application Materials:

  • Completed online application form (linked below)
  • Resumé
  • Two letters of recommendation.
    • Note: At least one letter of recommendation should come from a faculty member from whom you have taken a class and who can thus assess, based on direct observation, your academic performance in class on a daily basis and on graded assignments.
  • Unofficial transcript