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 NOW for the 2027 cohort. The application deadline for the 2026-2027 program is March 25, 2026
The Eagleton Graduate Fellowship program, established in 1957, is a signature education program of the Eagleton Institute of Politics in partnership with the Rutgers Democracy Lab. This one-year interdisciplinary certificate program is open to graduate students from all Rutgers schools, departments, and campus locations who are interested in American politics, government, policy, and advocacy.
Eagleton Fellows work toward their graduate degrees without interruption; the one-year fellowship is designed to complement academic study. Stipends and tuition support are provided.
Fellows develop advanced knowledge, skills, and professional networks in American politics, policy, government, and advocacy through unique coursework, a spring semester government internship, and first-hand experience of New Jersey and Maryland state governments in action and through legislative trips.
The Rutgers Democracy Lab provides generous support for the Graduate Fellowship program.
Meet the current Eagleton Graduate Fellows.
Why should I apply?
Program Impact: Recent Graduate Fellows share their experience
“I liked the academic and then experience format. It allowed me to see what other options there are in the political sphere, and then being able to apply that knowledge at my internship.”
“I appreciated the opportunity to take coursework relevant to policy and government that I otherwise would not be exposed to in my educational program.”
“The fall prepared us well for understanding relationships and the high-level functions of state government. The internship experience was extremely valuable for me.”
“Being able to connect with my peers, seasoned professionals from different backgrounds, and being exposed to the inner workings of our government were very impactful to me.”
“The internship placement connected me to a wonderful new mentor, and I had a great experience working in a state agency I had been dreaming about.”
“Everything in the program is synergistically built upon each other. The Annapolis trip connected me with influential figures who remain in my network. The real gem was the State House internship. Immersing myself in policy implementation, witnessing firsthand how programs translate from theory to action, solidified my passion for this field. It was so worth it, and I enjoyed every bit of it.”
What will I learn?
Through a fall course, spring internship, monthly sessions, and two legislative comparative government trips, Graduate Fellows will learn to:
FALL COURSE: Earn 3-credits through a unique fall course where you will analyze government structures, evaluate policies and key political actors, utilize ethical reasoning in public decision-making, and apply civic knowledge to solve democratic challenges. The course is held in person at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers-New Brunswick.
GOVERNMENT INTERNSHIPS: Complete a valuable 196-hour spring internship placement in government while continuing your graduate studies. Government internship placements are in person at the municipal, county, state, regional, and national levels.
PROGRAM SESSIONS: Participate in monthly program sessions to build professional skills and networks, including a behind the scenes legislative trips to the New Jersey and Maryland State Houses.
STIPEND AND TUITION CREDIT: Receive a stipend of $8,625 and tuition credit ranging from $6,000 to full tuition remission through 4 related fellowship awards: Governor’s Executive, Henry J. Raimondo Legislative, Eagleton Alumni, and Harold 7 Reba Martin. The Rutgers Democracy Lab also provides generous support for the Graduate Fellowship program.
MENTORS: Graduate Fellows are paired 1:1 with mentors from the Eagleton Visiting Associates group, who are public service professionals. Other mentorship opportunities are also available.
CONNECTIONS AND NETWORKS: Graduate Fellows are connected to faculty, staff, guest speakers, and session leaders who expand professional networks. The class of 2027 is the 70th cohort of Eagleton Graduate Fellows. Connect with more than 2,100 alumni from Eagleton education programs, most of whom have chosen careers in public service, while others have applied their advanced knowledge of government, politics, and policy to a broad range of careers in the private, corporate, and non-profit sectors.
TRANSCRIPT NOTATION: Students who complete the program will receive a certificate and official notation on their Rutgers transcript.
Who is eligible to apply?
Full-time Rutgers employees are NOT eligible to apply for this program.
If you have additional questions, please contact Sarah Kozak at fellows@eagleton.rutgers.edu.
All applications must be submitted online here. All parts of the application must be received by March 25 at 5:00 pm EST to be reviewed. Complete applications must include:
All applications must be submitted online. All parts of the application must be received by March 25 at 5:00 pm EST to be reviewed.
Applicants are evaluated based on demonstrated interest in government, American politics, policy, and/or advocacy; academic performance; the quality of the essay and the applicant’s purpose for applying to the program; and letters of recommendation.
Selection decisions will be sent by email in early May.
What stipends, tuition support, and internship options are available?
27 Fellows are selected annually and are supported through four financial awards. All applicants are considered for all awards. Rutgers Democracy Lab provides generous support for the Graduate Fellowship program.
Raimondo and the Governor’s Executive Awards are contingent on funding in the New Jersey State Budget.
What are the program requirements?
The Eagleton Graduate Fellowship is an in-person certificate program that runs from September 1, 2026, to May 15, 2027. Missing more than two of the requirements below in either semester or failing to maintain a minimum 3.0 overall GPA and remain in good academic standing in your degree-granting school may lead to revocation of the fellowship.
FALL SEMESTER
SPRING SEMESTER