Established in 1995, Women’s Congressional Policy Institute (WCPI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy organization whose mission is to bring together a community of bipartisan women policymakers and trusted partners to advance issues of importance to women, develop the next generation of women leaders, and foster a more effective and representative democracy. WCPI sponsors programming for women Members of Congress and women congressional chiefs of staff, a congressional fellowship program, policy briefings on Capitol Hill, and several signature special events focused on key bipartisan women’s issues.
We are committed to promoting diversity, equality, and inclusion. Our board, staff, programs, and events reflect our goal to empower voices that often are underrepresented in public policy dialogues, and create a culture of mutual respect and shared success.
The President is WCPI’s chief executive, and as the leader of a small team, serves as an external presence with internal operational responsibilities. The President manages, develops and stewards new and existing external relationships, as well as strengthens and expands WCPI’s legislative partnerships. The successful candidate will steward inclusive and bipartisan collaborations with key external stakeholders. They will advance WCPI’s vision and mission by building upon signature programs, while ensuring its continued value and relevance.
WCPI has partnered with Good Insight, a mission-driven executive search firm based in Washington, DC. You can view the job announcement and apply for the job at https://good-insight.org/careers/. Good Insight’s CEO, Carlyn Madden, is leading this search. Candidate referrals, questions, or personal interest can be sent to Carlyn Madden at Good Insight at WCPI@good-insight.org, and we encourage you to connect with her on LinkedIn. All inquiries and referrals will be held in strict confidence.
The Women’s Congressional Policy Institute has been the home of the Congressional Fellowships on Women and Public Policy (formerly the WREI Fellowships) since 2014. The fellowships are extended each year to a select number of students pursuing a graduate degree or those who have recently completed a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree with a proven commitment to equity for women. Fellows gain practical policymaking experience and graduate credit as they work from January to July in congressional offices.
Internship Program
The Spring 2025 applications are now closed. Please check back soon for future internship opportunities.
As part of our efforts to help build the pipeline of young women considering careers in public policy, we host interns throughout the year.
Communications/Development Interns and Policy Interns support WCPI’s programs, as well as its legislative and fundraising efforts.
These paid internships are open to current undergraduate students and those who graduated within six months of the application cycle deadline. Interns are expected to work 20-40 hours per week, Monday through Friday; accommodations can be made for students’ class schedules.
The internships will be hybrid, with in-person work in our office and on Capitol Hill combined with some remote work. Applicants therefore must be located in the DC area for the internship duration.
Students currently enrolled in a graduate program are not eligible for the internship program and are strongly encouraged to apply to our fellowship program. Please see the fellowship page for more information.
The deadline for each application cycle is 11:59 p.m. Eastern (no exceptions); the timelines are as follows:
- Summer internship application cycle: Open December 15, 2023 – February 1, 2024
- Fall internship application cycle: Open May 1, 2024 – June 10, 2024
- Spring internship application cycle: Open September 16, 2024 – November 1, 2024
Please direct any questions about the internship program to internships@wcpinst.org. Additionally, a Google/Gmail account is needed to view and submit materials for our application.
The Communications/Development intern plays a key role in helping expand our outreach and fundraising initiatives. Successful interns will have their finger on the pulse of social media and digital outreach and a genuine interest in development/fundraising work.
The Policy Internship program strives to develop the next generation of women leaders in public policy and in the nonprofit sector. Interns are responsible for assisting WCPI staff in our programmatic and administrative work. Such work includes publishing our Weekly Legislative Update and assisting with congressional briefings.
Is this internship remote or in-person?
As of now (May 2024), we are anticipating the internship to operate in a hybrid manner. Interns are expected to come into the office three days a week and may work remotely two days a week.
How much are WCPI interns paid?
WCPI interns are paid the District of Columbia minimum wage, which currently stands at $17.50 per hour.
When can I expect to hear back regarding my internship application?
Due to the high volume of applicants we receive, we only contact candidates who are selected for interviews. Selected candidates can expect to hear from us in mid-March for the Summer internship, early July for the Fall internship, and early December for the Spring internship.
Will additional materials/documents help my application?
WCPI only reviews applicants’ cover letters, resumes, and 500-word interest statements in the selection process. Please do not send additional materials, such as letters of recommendation or transcripts. They will not be considered in the selection process and have no impact on a candidate’s application.
Are graduate students eligible to apply?
The WCPI internships are only open to current undergraduate students or those who have graduated less than six months ago. Students pursuing graduate or professional degrees are not eligible for the internship program and are strongly encouraged to apply to our congressional fellowship program instead.
Is the WCPI internship open to all majors?
Yes, students of any major or field of study are encouraged to apply.