Institute on Political Journalism
Washington, DC June 2 – July 27, 2018
Priority Deadline for Scholarships: February 7
Final Deadline: March 13
**Full-Tuition Scholarship Funding Available – See Below for Details**
Apply to the 2018 Institute on Political Journalism and be a journalist or communications professional in the city where front page news is made every day.
There has never been a more important and challenging time to be a news reporter in Washington DC. This summer you can be in the heart of the headline-making capital and show that you have what it takes. Use your skills and passion to get past the noise and report the facts!
Program Components:
- Journalism or PR Internship: Intern 30-35 hours a week at a media news outlet or a strategic communications firm. You’ll learn firsthand how to:
- Cover Congress & the federal government
- Do “man on the street” interviews
- Use social media to promote a public relations campaign
- Research background information on an investigative series
- Gather sound bites from a Congressional hearing
- Pitch a client’s new book to media outlets around the country
- Attend a press conference at a federal agency
- Create content for a radio stations website
- Interview a member of Congress
- Shadow a TV producer in the field
- Pitch ideas for ways to increase your clients’ membership base
- Write breaking news story about statements made at a White House press conference
- Economics and Government Coursework: Combine theory and practice and take courses on economics, journalism, and government for 3 to 9 credit hours through George Mason University. Click here to view the course catalog.
- Exclusive Lectures and Site Briefings: Attend a briefing by a member of Congress on Capitol Hill. Visit the Newseum or take private tour of the National Press Club. Tour the Washington Post Headquarters or take a behind the scenes tour of the press operations in the U.S. Senate.
- Small Group Networking: Meet with seasoned reporters, TV producers, online editors, principles in major PR firms and learn about various career paths in journalism or strategic communications.
- Mentor Program: Connect with a practitioner in your field of interest who will serve as a professional mentor during and after the program. He or she will provide tips for living in Washington as well as career advice and networking contacts.
- Housing: Students will live in furnished apartments on campus at George Washington University in downtown Washington, DC and are matched with other program participants as roommates. The apartments are located steps from the White House, State Department and National Monuments, and provide easy access to the DC metro transportation system.
- Scholarships: More than 70% of students receive partial scholarship awards based on financial need and merit. Full scholarships are available through the Leadership Scholars Program – click here for details.
Application Instructions:
Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until the final deadline of March 13, but applicants are encouraged to apply for by the February 7 Priority Deadline for Scholarships in order to receive special consideration.
Application requirements include a topical essay, statement of purpose, resume, official transcript, letter of recommendation and $25 application fee. An application checklist is available here: http://www.dcinternships.org/wp-content/uploads/IPJ-App-Instructions.pdf
Please visit www.DCinternships.org/IPJ for more program details and to begin an application. Questions may be directed to Joe Starrs, Institute on Political Journalism Director, at IPJ@tfas.org or 202.986.0384.