Thank you for your interest in the Hudson Institute Political Studies Summer Fellowship!
Hudson Institute Political Studies offers a fellowship in political theory and practice to college students and recent graduates. All students participate free of charge, reside in complimentary housing in Washington, D.C., and receive a stipend of $3,000. To apply, you will need to provide basic contact information and the following materials:
Resume or CV
Personal Statement
In answer to one of the following questions (1,000 words or fewer):
What book has influenced you most and why?
What do you hope to gain from the serious study of politics?
Writing Sample
(15 pages or fewer)
Your writing sample should be an example of your best work, whether that be an essay, article you have written, or something else. It must be written solely by you, and should be on a subject related in some way to the material studied in our fellowship (that is, generally on a subject of political science, philosophy, literature, history, classics, policy, foreign affairs, or government).
We understand that some schools, some programs, and some professors do not assign essays for coursework relevant to Political Studies. If this prevents you from submitting a writing sample, please upload:
documentation from your school, academic advisor, or professor (as appropriate) explaining this policy
a 1,000 word answer to the personal statement question you not did originally choose, attempting to imitate an academic writing sample.
What book has influenced you most and why? or
What do you hope to gain from the serious study of politics?
Letter of Recommendation
Professional style headshot of yourself
Application Timeline
The Early Decision Deadline is January 9th, 2026 11:59 p.m. EST
The Regular Decision Deadline is March 2nd, 2026 11:59 p.m. EST
Letter of Recommendation
Upon submission of your application, your professor (or other qualifying individual) will receive an automated letter of recommendation request from Hudson Institute Political Studies.
It is your responsibility to seek out a letter of recommendation well before your recommender receives this automated request, and to notify them that they will receive the request when you submit your application. Please give your recommender adequate time to compose and submit a letter. Letters can be turned in by your recommender.
Double Session
This summer, Hudson Institute Political Studies is proud to host two sessions of our program:
Session I: May 24 - July 5
Session II: June 28 - August 7
Admitted applicants will be admitted to one of the two sessions. If there is a session that you cannot join, please email Ayla McBreen (amcbreen@hudson.org) to indicate which session you cannot join and why.
Final Notes
Please note that Hudson Institute Political Studies Summer Fellowship is a full-time opportunity — participants cannot maintain other internships or forms of work for the duration of the fellowship.
For further information about the program's elements please see our about page and our seminars, workshops and speaker series pages on this website.
If you have any questions please contact Ayla McBreen at 202-974-6440 or amcbreen@hudson.org