Our nation’s current and future challenges make it imperative that government identify, recruit and retain the next generation of public servants.
With just under 7% of the full-time federal workforce and 12% of the state and local workforce under the age of 30, executive branch agencies are working to meet this need, prioritizing the design and implementation of paid internship programs that provide students with valuable work experience, an expanded professional network, and a better understanding of the importance and impact of public service.
Managed by the Partnership for Public Service, the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program is an exciting, paid opportunity for students of all majors to gain professional experience in federal and state government. Since 2022, the program places highly skilled talent from across the country into government and offers students the opportunity to apply their educational training to work in a government agency.
Within the Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program, navigate to the individual program pages for each of the opportunities available:
Summer 2026 Applications Open Now
We are now accepting applications for the following summer cohorts:
Deadline: Friday, December 5, 2025 by 11:59 pm ET
Please note – candidates may only apply to one of the cohorts for Summer 2026. If multiple applications are received from the same candidate, the Partnership will reach out to the candidate and ask that they select one cohort to be considered for.
Overall Program Benefits
Selected participants in the program will receive:
- A 10-12 week internship at a federal or state government agency.
- A stipend.
- Professional development sessions, including orientation and networking events throughout the duration of the internship.
To learn about specific benefits of each cohort, please visit its corresponding tab at the top of this page.