The 2027–2028 APAICS Congressional Fellowship offers an opportunity for individuals interested in public policy, government, legislation, and civic engagement to gain practical experience within the United States Congress. The fellowship places participants in a congressional office or committee for 12 months, where they undertake work comparable to that of a congressional legislative aide.
The programme is designed to help fellows develop a deeper understanding of the legislative process, gain practical policy experience, build professional networks, and develop skills that can be applied to future careers in congressional offices, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.
The fellowship will run from August 30, 2027, to August 25, 2028, and will take place in Washington, D.C. The application deadline is December 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
About the APAICS Congressional Fellowship
The APAICS Congressional Fellowship is structured around practical participation in the legislative process. Rather than being limited to classroom-based learning, fellows are placed directly within a congressional environment where they can gain experience working on matters related to public policy and legislative activities.
During the 12-month fellowship, participants will be placed with either a congressional office or a congressional committee. Their responsibilities will depend on the office or committee where they are placed and the specific policy portfolio assigned to them.
The programme states that fellows will undertake work equivalent to that of a congressional legislative aide. This provides fellows with an opportunity to develop practical knowledge of how Congress operates while contributing to the activities of their host office.
By completing the fellowship, participants are expected to develop a stronger understanding of the U.S. legislative process and establish professional relationships on Capitol Hill.
What Fellows Can Gain from the Programme
The fellowship is designed to provide participants with professional and policy-related development throughout the programme.
One major benefit is the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the U.S. legislative process. Working within a congressional office or committee allows fellows to observe and participate in the processes through which public policy is discussed and developed.
Fellows can also develop professional skills that may be useful beyond the fellowship. According to the programme description, the experience can help fellows acquire skills and expertise that are marketable to congressional offices, federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private-sector employers.
The programme also provides an opportunity to develop a professional network on Capitol Hill. Because fellows work within congressional environments and participate in APAICS activities, they can interact with professionals involved in public policy and government.
Another important aspect is professional development. Fellows are required to meet as a cohort twice every month to discuss their experiences and participate in professional development opportunities. This provides a structured environment in which participants can reflect on their work, exchange experiences, and learn from other fellows.
Congressional Office or Committee Placement
Each fellow’s experience will be different because placements and responsibilities depend on the congressional office or committee to which they are assigned.
The policy portfolio given to a fellow will therefore determine much of the day-to-day experience. This means that participants may have different responsibilities depending on the policy issues and legislative work handled by their host office.
The programme provides fellows with the opportunity to work in a professional congressional environment while developing an understanding of how Congress functions.
This practical component is particularly relevant for individuals who are interested in careers involving public policy, government relations, legislative affairs, advocacy, public administration, international affairs, or related fields.
Fellowship Duration and Location
The 2027–2028 APAICS Congressional Fellowship will run for approximately 12 months.
The programme dates are:
Start date: August 30, 2027
End date: August 25, 2028
Location: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is the centre of the U.S. federal government and provides the setting for the fellowship’s congressional placement.
Participants should therefore be prepared for an extended period in Washington, D.C., rather than a short-term programme.
Fellows Are Not Federal Government Employees
An important distinction in the programme description is that APAICS Congressional Fellows are not employees of the federal government, their host congressional office, or APAICS.
Instead, fellows receive a monthly educational stipend during the fellowship.
This distinction is important for applicants to understand because the fellowship provides professional experience within a congressional environment without making the fellow a federal government employee.
Cohort Meetings and Professional Development
In addition to their work within their assigned congressional offices or committees, fellows are expected to participate in activities organized for the fellowship cohort.
Fellows are required to gather twice each month to discuss their experiences and participate in professional development opportunities.
These meetings provide an opportunity for participants to learn from one another and discuss the different experiences they encounter during their congressional placements.
The fellowship also expects participants to attend events organized by APAICS. These include the organization’s Annual Awards Gala and policy summits.
Public Policy Presentation
Another important requirement of the fellowship is a public presentation.
Towards the end of the fellowship year, fellows are required to make a public presentation on a policy topic of their choosing.
This requirement gives participants an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of a policy issue and communicate their ideas publicly after gaining practical experience during the fellowship.
The presentation also complements the fellowship’s broader emphasis on professional development, policy knowledge, and communication.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for the 2027–2028 APAICS Congressional Fellowship is:
December 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Applicants should ensure that their application materials are submitted before the stated deadline. The same deadline also applies to the submission of recommendation letters through the recommender portal.
The fellowship itself begins on August 30, 2027, and concludes on August 25, 2028.
How to Apply
Applicants are required to submit a complete application containing several components.
The application includes:
- Cover letter expressing interest in the programme.
- Resume, which must be no more than one page.
- Academic transcript.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Responses to three application questions.
The recommendation letters can be submitted separately by the recommenders through the designated recommendation portal.
Applicants should also pay attention to the formatting requirements for the three written responses. Each response should be no more than one page, double-spaced, and written in 12-point Times New Roman font.
Application Question One
The first question asks applicants to explain how they envision the APAICS Fellowship contributing to their career path and what they hope to gain from the programme.
This question gives applicants an opportunity to explain their professional goals and connect those goals to the experience offered by the fellowship.
A strong response would therefore need to clearly explain the applicant’s career direction, why congressional and public policy experience is relevant to that direction, and what knowledge, skills, or professional experience they hope to develop.
Application Question Two
The second question focuses specifically on the applicant’s experience with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander communities in the United States.
Applicants are asked to describe when they have lived near or far from these communities and explain how that proximity, or lack of proximity, has shaped their views on public policy.
This question requires applicants to reflect on their personal experiences and connect those experiences to their understanding of public policy.
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Application Question Three
The third question focuses on teamwork and problem-solving.
Applicants are asked to describe a time when they worked as part of a team and encountered a challenge. They must discuss the challenges they experienced individually and as a team, explain how they contributed to addressing the challenge, and describe what they learned about working with others.
This question allows applicants to demonstrate their teamwork, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and ability to learn from experience.
Recommendation Letters
Applicants are required to obtain two letters of recommendation.
The programme provides a separate online portal where recommenders can submit their letters.
The recommendation deadline is the same as the main application deadline:
December 18, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.
Applicants should therefore allow sufficient time for their recommenders to complete and submit their letters before the deadline.
Why the Fellowship Can Be Relevant to Public Policy Careers
The structure of the APAICS Congressional Fellowship provides participants with exposure to several aspects of public policy work.
A fellow working within a congressional office or committee can gain an understanding of how legislative institutions operate while developing professional experience in a policy environment.
The combination of congressional placement, cohort meetings, professional development, APAICS events, networking opportunities, and a final public policy presentation makes the programme broader than a conventional short-term work placement.
The experience can be particularly relevant to people considering future careers involving public policy, legislative affairs, government, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, advocacy, public administration, or related areas.
Important Information for Prospective Applicants
Before applying, prospective applicants should carefully review the official fellowship information, eligibility requirements, frequently asked questions, and host office information.
Official Application
Apply for the 2027–2028 APAICS Congressional Fellowship
Fellowship Details and Eligibility
APAICS Fellowship Details and Eligibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Host Office FAQs
Conclusion
The 2027–2028 APAICS Congressional Fellowship provides a 12-month opportunity to gain practical experience within the U.S. congressional environment while developing knowledge of public policy and the legislative process. Fellows are placed in congressional offices or committees and undertake work comparable to that of congressional legislative aides, with each placement differing according to the host office and assigned policy portfolio.
In addition to their congressional placement, fellows participate in twice-monthly cohort meetings, professional development activities, APAICS events, and a public policy presentation at the end of the fellowship. The programme also provides a monthly educational stipend and opportunities to develop professional networks on Capitol Hill.
The fellowship will take place in Washington, D.C., from August 30, 2027, to August 25, 2028. Interested applicants should prepare the required cover letter, one-page resume, academic transcript, two recommendation letters, and responses to the three application questions before the December 18, 2026, 11:59 PM ET deadline.
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