The Victory Congressional Internship is run by LGBTQ+ Victory Institute for undergraduate students interested in public leadership. Participants travel to Washington, DC for an 8- or 10-week placement with a Congressional Equality Caucus member or another LGBTQ+-friendly member of Congress.
The program pairs the congressional internship with policy career learning and leadership development. Participants also attend the Institute’s three-day International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference in December of their program year.
Benefits & funding
- Free housing in downtown Washington, DC.
- A living-expense stipend equal to $15 per hour.
- Airfare or other transportation to and from Washington, DC at the beginning and end of the program.
- Possible academic credit, subject to the participant’s college or university.
- Airfare, shared hotel accommodation, and conference fees for the December International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or otherwise permitted to work in the United States; F-1 student visa holders are not eligible.
- Applicants must be at least 18 before arriving in Washington, DC.
- Applicants must be full-time undergraduates who will have completed at least one year before the program starts.
- Spring and fall participants must remain enrolled through the end of the program; summer applicants may be current undergraduates or may have graduated in the spring immediately before the program.
- Applicants must actively participate in public or community service.
- The program is open across genders, orientations, abilities, races, political affiliations, and academic disciplines.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Complete the online application when the next cycle opens.
- 2Upload a one-page professional resume, unofficial transcript, two essay responses, professional headshot, professional biography, and demographic information.
- 3Ask one academic or leadership reference to email a recommendation letter directly to the program contact.
Program timeline
Applications closed.
Summer 2026
Later in 2026
The official page says 2027 applications will be posted.
Program term
Participants complete an 8- or 10-week congressional internship and leadership program.
Participants attend the three-day International LGBTQ+ Leaders Conference.
December of the program year