Congressional Fellowship
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2025 Running Start/Walmart Congressional Fellowship
The Congressional Fellowship is Running Start's most intensive program, designed to create tomorrow's leaders today. It is a politically inclusive experience that provides Fellows with training on how to become a public leader.
Program Timeline:
February 16: Priority application deadline.
After February 16: Selected priority applicants will be contacted for a 20 minute interview.
Early March: Selected priority applicants will be offered acceptance to the program.
March - August: Fellows who are seeking a Fall 2025 internship placement will work with Running Start to secure a Congressional internship.
June - November, exact dates TBD: All Fellows will participate in virtual training on a regular basis.
June, September and October, exact dates TBD: Small groups of Fellows will participate in in-person training in Washington, DC for 3 days.
Late November: The 2025 Fellowship program concludes.
Program Fee:
$0 out-of-pocket
Fellows receive a $1,000 stipend and an three day all-expenses-paid training in Washington, DC
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Intern for a Member of Congress
Congressional Fellows learn about politics first-hand from Members of Congress, both in their home District Offices and on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC*.
Fellows grow their network of political insiders and understand what it takes to
run, win and serve.
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*Note: Running Start welcomes applicants who have already secured Congressional internships for the Spring or Summer 2025 semesters for themselves, as well as those seeking Fall 2025 placements.
The Running Start/Walmart Congressional Fellowship is for you if:
You’re interested in politics, public policy and public service
(no prior professional political experience required).
Learning how Members of Congress engage constituents in their communities sounds exciting.
You want to learn about running and governing from a role model at the
highest level of government.
You’re looking to be challenged and supported by a diverse and ideologically inclusive cohort of other women leaders.
You're between 18 - 25 years old.
Through Running Start and working [for a Member of Congress], I’ve learned that persistence, hard work, and taking every opportunity that comes to you will set you up for the best possible future.
Hailey Fisher, Alum
During the Congressional Fellowship
You’ll work with a US Senator or House Representative, learning firsthand how Congress serves its constituents and growing your political network.
You’ll spend 3 intensive days in Washington, DC getting experience on Capitol Hill and making connections with high-level DC insiders.
You’ll learn and grow with a tight-knit cohort from all walks of life and diverse political ideologies with regular political leadership workshops.
You’ll get hands-on practice of real-world campaign skills through a campaign simulation, and build your network for a future political career.
You’ll receive a $1,000 stipend and all expenses paid in-person training in Washington, DC.
As a Fellow, you get unique experiences that you wouldn’t get anywhere else. My favorite was getting the opportunity to not only visit the Speaker’s balcony, but to also get a private tour of her entire office from one of her staffers, who is also an alum of this program!
Annie Jamarik, Alum
Want to join us in 2025?
The application asks for:
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1 page PDF resume
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1 page writing sample that answers the question: What is an issue in your community that you would like to solve? How would you implement your solution?
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Refer to this sample document as an example of the writing that is often used in Congressional office internships and format yours as such.
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Information on your anticipated Congressional internship experience
More than 90% of alums said the Congressional Fellowship connected them with a network of politically motivated peers!
Throughout my Running Start experience, I’ve learned about the importance of bipartisanship to be able to create innovative solutions.
Martha Amaya, Alum
Thanks to $2,000,000+ of support from Walmart, Running Start has trained 200+ Congressional Fellows since 2009. Congressional Fellows have worked in 100+ different offices!
Thank you to our sponsors
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