Application deadline is December 8th.
The Basics
Applications for the 2026-27 Cohort of Senate Fellows are now open! This program welcomes Republicans, Democrats and other parties. During this year-long program, Fellows spend 11 months in Sacramento as paid, full-time members in the offices of California State Senators. This program provides hands-on experience in public policy, leadership, and community engagement. Program Duration The program runs from October 2026 to September 2027.
Eligibility
- Be at least 20 years of age by September 1 of the fellowship year.
- Have a bachelor’s degree by September 1 of the fellowship year and either a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or higher or a GPA of 2.5 or higher in the last 60 (semester) or 90 (quarter) units.
- Have a demonstrated interest in state government and public policy.
- Be authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship program.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following by the application deadline:
- Completed online application at csus.edu/capitalfellows
- Personal statement and policy statement
- Resume
- College transcript(s)
- A list of three individuals who will write letters of recommendation
Applications and specific dates and deadlines can be found online at csus.edu/capitalfellows
Program Benefits
- Paid full-time employee status ($4,888 a month stipend), health, vision, and dental benefits
- Graduate Certificate in Applied Policy and Government
- Paid university enrollment and student fees for units in the Political Science Department
- Student loan deferment
The Senate Fellows Experience
Jointly sponsored by the California State Senate and the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State, the California Senate Fellows Program is one of the most distinguished experiential learning programs in the nation. Senate Fellows work full-time as policy staff in a Senator’s Capitol office or on a Senate policy committee.
Many Senate Fellows continue their career as Senate staff upon completion of their fellowship. Elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels of government, senior legislative staff, and leaders in the executive branch trace their political beginnings to their time as Senate Fellows. The program provides the professional development, mentorship, and support necessary to continue in legislative work, and teaches transferable skills of benefit in other career or academic pursuits.
The California Senate Fellows Program is highly competitive and seeks applicants who are passionate about California, the world’s fifth-largest economy and a global leader in public policymaking. Recent college graduates and mid-career professionals from every academic discipline or professional background interested in a career in public policymaking may apply.
Academic Seminar
Senate Fellows attend weekly seminars at the Capitol during the fall and spring semesters, earning six graduate units from the Political Science Department at Sacramento State. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, Fellows earn a graduate certificate in Applied Government and Policy. The seminars provide an academic perspective on the experience gained in Fellows’ office placements.
The Nature of Fellowship Work
Eighteen Fellows are selected each year. The 11-month program begins in October with a six-week intensive orientation. Senate Fellows interview with multiple Senate offices in an effort to find the right match for them and for the Senate office in which they will be placed. Fellows work full time in the Senate, learn about the legislative process, and hear from noted policy experts and senior legislative staff about current policy issues. Senate Fellows perform all the duties of a legislative aide or committee consultant, which may include:
- Advising staff and the Senator about vote recommendations on bills.
- Writing speeches, talking points, and press releases related to assigned policy areas.
- Working with the district office to address constituent concerns.
- Analyzing bills referred to the committee for a legislative hearing.
For more information, contact:
Center for California Studies, California State University, Sacramento
(916) 278-6906 | capfellowsoutreach@csus.edu
Follow us on Instagram @senate.fellows