Curricular Education Programs
An interdisciplinary certificate program open to graduate students in all Rutgers schools and disciplines who would like to further an interest in American politics and government.
Apply for the 2025-2026 Eagleton Graduate Fellowship Program during the spring 2025 semester. The application will be online January 31 – March 31, 2025. Contact Sarah Kozak, fellows@eagleton.rutgers.edu, with any questions.
Build knowledge, skills and networks to engage in American politics, government and advocacy in your community. The Eagleton Fellowship offers Rutgers graduate students the opportunity to further their understanding of government, public affairs, and the real-world practice of politics. During the fellowship, students make connections between their Eagleton coursework, government internship experience, and their chosen fields of study. All Rutgers graduate students are eligible to apply for this one-year, interdisciplinary certificate program which includes stipends and tuition support. Meet the current Eagleton Graduate Fellows.
The Eagleton Graduate Fellowship is open to graduate students from all departments and schools on any Rutgers campus who are interested in politics and government. Recent Fellows have represented more than 45 departments in the social sciences, humanities and natural sciences, and 20 different graduate and professional schools reflecting a wide variety of interests and perspectives.
Eagleton Fellows work toward their graduate degrees without interruption; the one-year fellowship is designed to complement academic study. Throughout the year, students are provided direct access to practitioners in state and national politics and government. These connections help to bridge the gap between the academic training of a graduate student and the everyday challenges of a life in politics and public affairs. Eagleton fellowships expose students to the art and politics of governing and to multiple aspects of public policymaking while providing meaningful assistance to government.
All Fellows take the Perspective in American Politics courses in the fall to expand their knowledge and prepare them for an internship placement in the spring. For their internship, Fellows are placed in government offices and agencies at the state (legislative and executive branches), federal, regional, county and municipal levels.
“Throughout my graduate studies I have learned extensive details regarding Medicare and Medicaid policies. I have written many policy briefs… I thought I had a good understanding of health policy in the United States. I was wrong. After interning at the Medicaid office, I have learned more than I did throughout my graduate course work.”
– Mariam Rashid, Eagleton Fellow
The Eagleton Graduate Fellowship is open to graduate students from all departments and schools on any Rutgers campus who are interested in politics and government. Recent Fellows have represented more than 45 departments in the social sciences, humanities and natural sciences, and 19 different graduate and professional schools reflecting a wide variety of interests and perspectives.
“The biggest highlight of the Eagleton Fellowship has been the diversity among fellows in our professional and political backgrounds.” – Brandon Pugh, Eagleton Fellow
“I cannot imagine a better place to learn directly from people who have been involved in politics in so many different capacities.” – Kyle Holder, Eagleton Fellow
Course #: 16:790:595:01 (3 credits)
Day/Time: Fridays 1:00-4:00 pm
Location: Wood Lawn Mansion, Douglass Campus, Rutgers-New Brunswick
Instructors: T. Missy Balmir and Amanda DePalma
Open to Eagleton Graduate Fellows only, the Perspectives on American Politics course is an engaging seminar that explores the complexities of current and historical practices and trends in American politics. This course bridges political theory with practical realities, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of core institutions, processes, and actors at both federal and state levels. Through critical analysis, students will explore the influence of media, lobbyists, identity groups, and political campaigns on shaping policy and public opinion. The seminar emphasizes ethical reasoning, diverse perspectives, and civic engagement, encouraging students to apply concepts to real-world political events and debates.
The course features prominent practitioners’ readings, discussions, and presentations, fostering a learning environment rooted in respect, open dialogue, and active participation. Success in this seminar is achieved through all participants’ informed and respectful contributions, who will leave with sharpened analytical skills and a deeper understanding of American politics.
Learning Goals:
Through readings, classroom discussions, assignments, and guest speakers, students will:
1. Foundational Knowledge:
2. Analytical Skills:
3. Diverse Perspectives:
4. Application & Integration:
5. Civic Engagement:
6. Ethical Reasoning:
7. Communication Skills:
Apply for the 2025-2026 Eagleton Graduate Fellowship Program during the Spring 2025 semester. The application will be online January 31 to March 31, 2025. March 31st is the deadline for applications and recommendation letters.
Submitting your application for the Eagleton Graduate Fellowship Program is a three-step process:
Applicants will not receive an immediate email notification acknowledging receipt. Eagleton staff will email applicants when their application packet is processed. The three (3) letters of recommendation should be sent to Eagleton directly from the recommender. Receipt of recommendation letters will be confirmed with applicants and recommenders via email. Application and recommendation deadline is Monday, March 31, 2025 at 5:00 pm EST. This is a strict deadline.
In 300-500 words, your essay/statement should answer the following questions:
Your essay must be attached to your online application as MS Word or Adobe PDF document.
Applicants will not receive an immediate email notification acknowledging receipt. Eagleton staff will email applicants when their application packet is processed. The three (3) letters of recommendation should be sent to Eagleton directly from the recommender. Receipt of recommendation letters will be confirmed with applicants and recommenders via email. Application and recommendation deadline is March 31, 2025 at 5:00 pm EST.
The selection committee reviews applications using the following criteria: demonstrated interest in government, politics and/or public affairs; academic performance; the quality of the essay and the applicant’s purpose for applying to the program; and letters of recommendation. Overall GPA is considered as part of academic performance. There is no “minimum GPA” in order to apply, but Fellows selected usually have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher. All applicants must be accepted into a graduate program at Rutgers University to be eligible. Students must be enrolled full or part time from September 2025 to May 2026. Students in one-year graduate programs are encouraged to apply. Preference is generally given to applicants who are further advanced in their graduate program. Students in multi-year graduate programs (i.e., law, PhD, etc..) are generally not accepted for their first year of study.
Applicants will receive an email confirmation when their packet has been processed at Eagleton and recommendation letters received. Letters of recommendation are confidential between the recommender and the Eagleton selection committee. Applicants cannot request to view the letters.
The selection committee will decide on candidates to interview who will be contacted via email. Henry Raimondo Legislative award candidates will complete a second interview in their legislative placement office at the State House before fellowship awards are made. The fellowship cofort is not finalized until all candidates confirm thier acceptance.
Students will receive preliminary notification of fellowship status by email by during the first week of May 2025. Henry Raimondo Legislative and Governor’s Executive fellow award recipients will receive final confirmation of fellowship awards when the New Jersey state budget is approved in late June/early July.
The Eagleton Graduate Fellowship is a one-year interdisciplinary certificate program. Graduate Fellows complete a course in the fall and government internship in the spring. The required course meets weekly in person on Friday afternoons at Wood Lawn, Rutgers-New Brunswick. Fellows spend 14 hours per week (2 days) at a government office internship during the spring semester.
In addition to coursework and internship placements, Fellows participate in program sessions throughout the year, including a welcome event, monthly sessions, government orientation at the State House in Trenton, and a two-day trip to participate in sessions with the Maryland legislature and state government in Annapolis. During the year, Graduate Fellows participate in Eagleton public and student events, and a program graduation. Fellows also reflect on their internship experience through monthly journals and presentations.
Eagleton Graduate Fellows work toward their graduate degrees without interruption; the one-year fellowships are designed to complement academic study. The program is only open to registered graduate students at Rutgers University. You can apply at any point during your graduate studies and multiple years, as long as you are enrolled full-time or part-time for the fall and spring semesters. Transfer and International students are eligible to apply. Students applying for the 2026 cohort must be registered full or part-time in any Rutgers graduate school during the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters.
The Eagleton Graduate Fellowship is interdisciplinary – students from all majors and all Rutgers University campus locations are eligible. Previous Fellows have represented a wide variety of graduate majors including: agricultural and food resource economics, anthropology, art history, atmospheric science, biomedical engineering/sciences, business/administration, chemistry, civil and environmental engineering, communications, childhood studies, city and regional planning, criminal justice, cultural heritage preservation, ecology and evolution, economics, education, educational psychology, environmental science, exposure assessment, food science, geography, global affairs, history, journalism and media studies, landscape architecture, law, liberal studies, library and information sciences, management, media, microbiology and molecular genetics, music, neuroscience, nursing, plant biology and pathology, political science, psychology, public administration, public affairs, public health, public policy, social work, sociology, toxicology, urban systems, urban planning, visual arts and women’s and gender studies.
Program requirements include:
The Eagleton Fellowship year runs from September to May. All Graduate Fellows must maintain a minimum 3.0 overall cumulative GPA.
Fall Semester:
Spring 2025 Semester:
The Eagleton Graduate Fellowship Program is made possible by four funding sources. Fellowship awards include Henry J. Raimondo Legislative Award, Governor’s Executive Award, Harold and Reba Martin Award, and Eagleton Alumni Award. All Eagleton Fellows have the same basic requirements (fall class and spring internship). All awards provide a stipend with varying levels of tuition support. There are diverse internship opportunities available at all levels of government.
This award was initiated by the New Jersey Legislature and Rutgers University to honor the memory of Henry J. Raimondo (1947-1999), who served as associate director and professor at Eagleton. Eight (8) Raimondo fellowships are awarded annually. Raimondo awards provide a stipend of $8,625 plus up to $8,625 partial tuition credit for the academic year. (Awards are contingent on funding in the New Jersey State Budget.)
These fellows complete internships in the NJ State Legislature during the spring semester. Four fellows are placed with the partisan offices in the New Jersey legislature- one each in Senate (Democratic and Republican) and four are placed with the non-partisan Office of Legislative Services.
This award is supported by the New Jersey Office of the Governor. Twelve (12) Governor’s Executive fellowships are awarded annually. Governor’s Executive awards provide a stipend of $8,625. (Awards are contingent on funding in the New Jersey State Budget.)
During the spring semester these fellows are placed in state of New Jersey government departments or agencies, including the Governor’s office, department administrations, boards and commissions.
The Harold and Reba Martin Fellowship Award was established in 1981, when Harold Martin, former Bergen County Assemblyman, and his wife, Reba, made their first generous donation to the Institute. Six (6) Harold and Reba Martin fellowships are awarded annually. These fellowship awards provide stipends of $6,000, plus full remission for tuition and fees for the academic year.
Spring placements are determined by the Graduate Fellows’ interests in government and can be at the municipal, county, state, regional or federal government levels in New Jersey or other states.
Eagleton Alumni Fellowship Awards are made possible by generous contributions from education programs alumni and friends. At least one Eagleton Alumni fellowship is awarded each year. The Alumni award provides a stipend of $6,000, up to full remission for tuition and fees for the academic year.
Spring placements are determined by the Graduate Fellows’ interests in government and can be at the municipal, county, state, regional or federal government levels in New Jersey or other states.
There are more than 1,200 alumni of the fellowship program since the first class graduated in 1958. Some choose careers in public service and politics while others apply their sophisticated knowledge of government and politics in the private and non-profit sectors or in business, education, law, politics, advocacy or a variety of other fields.
The Institute has a strong alumni network, with many graduates involved as internship placement supervisors, guest speakers, and members of the Eagleton Alumni Committee.