Why get involved
The Summer Public Service Fellowships encourage a life-long commitment to public service by providing undergraduates with the opportunity to develop their civic leadership capacity through work in the non-profit and government sectors.

What to Expect
Application and selection processes occur during Winter Quarter, students work with program staff to develop internships, then complete their community-based work and participate in cohort activities during the summer months. Selected fellows receive a $5000 stipend for completing an internship of 200 hours (or more) between June and September.

Who is eligible for this fellowship?

The Summer Public Service Fellowship requires that students are enrolled in both Spring and Autumn Quarter 2026 OR Spring and Summer Quarter 2026 classes at the University of Washington. Students who complete coursework in Spring 2026 are not eligible for this fellowship.

Fellows are selected based on these criteria:

• Demonstrated commitment to public service career paths; 
• History of engagement with community-based organizations and/or government initiatives; 
• Ability to articulate how a funded summer internship will contribute to student’s development as a public servant and civic leader; and
• Orientation and capacity to collaboratively develop a plan for an intensive summer internship or project that balances benefit to the partnering organization with student learning. 

Additional consideration is given to students who:

• Are actively involved in the NextGen Civic Leader Corps at the time of application,
• Have demonstrated financial need, and
• Are committing to internships/projects that would otherwise be unpaid experiences

Application Process for 2026 

The application is now open. Please fill out the Summer Public Service Fellowship Application. 

Application Window: 2/20/26 to 2/22/26 at 11:59 pm

Applicants Selected for Interview Notified: 3/5/26

Interviews: 3/9/26 to 3/12/26

Fellows Selected Notified: 3/18/26

 

Application Support

Join us for a live, remote information session for students interested in applying on Monday, 1/26/26 at 5 pm on Zoom. We’ll provide an overview of the fellowship, application process, and timeline, and share what makes a strong application. The session will include time for live Q&A. The session will be recorded and posted on the Summer Public Service Fellowship website for students who are unable to attend. Access the Zoom meeting here.

Join us for an in-person information session for students interested in applying to the Summer Public Service Fellowship. We’ll cover program details, the application process, and timeline, followed by dedicated time to work on applications with staff available for questions, feedback, and support. In-person, info session dates and locations:

• Monday, February 2nd, 2026 @ 3 pm in Mary Gates Hall 171
• Thursday, February 19th, 2026 @ 1 pm in Mary Gates Hall 171

Individualized support (remote or in person) is available by meeting with a member of our team. Please reach out to Michael Soudmand, Program Manager for Student Civic Leadership Development at soudmand@uw.edu

Requirements for Selected Students

In addition to active engagement in their project during summer 2026, Fellows must contribute to the overall learning of the cohort in these ways:

• Complete a 200-hour internship with a non-profit or government organization between June and September. Some students may enter with a pre-existing relationship with their internship host, others will be supported in developing an internship during Spring Quarter for implementation during the summer months.
• Attend monthly cohort gatherings. Dates and meeting modality will be determined by cohort availability. 
• Host a site visit with your organization and CELE staff.
• Prepare and present Fellowship reflections during Dawg Daze 2026 (exact date and time TBD).

 

Some of the Summer Public Service Fellowships are made possible through the support of the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and investment from the University of Washington Provost Office. These fellowships represent an investment in the next generation of public service leaders who embody the values of late Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson; S. Sterling Munro, Jr., the former top aide to Senator Jackson and Administrator of the Bonneville Power Administration; and Gene Munro, a lifelong advocate for public service and the wife of S. Sterling Munro Jr.