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2012 Winners:

Sergio Guerra
Sucre Municipality
Caracas, Venezuela

Elisabeth Heid
Social Democratic Party of Germany
Berlin, Germany

Ruthzee Louijeune
Democratic National Convention Host Committee Washington, DC


The Institute of Politics will be offering four summer internship stipends to Harvard Kennedy School students who will be interning with an active political campaign or with a third party organization who is engaged in political activities related to campaigns. The campaigns can be with Republican, Democrat, or third party candidates. International political campaigns are eligible for this funding as well.

HKS students are responsible for obtaining and securing their summer employment. Internships must be full-time and last a minimum of eight weeks. The HKS Summer campaign stipends are intended to benefit students with non-paying or low-paying positions. HKS joint degree candidates and returning HKS students are eligible to apply. 
Awards of $3,500 will be made on a competitive basis with consideration given to the financial need, substance, location, and potential value of the job to the applicant.

A selection committee comprised of Institute of Politics staff and the IOP Internships Committee will review all submissions. IOP staff will ensure the anonymity of all applicants during the evaluation process. Recipients must prepare and submit to the IOP a brief summary of their experience at the conclusion of the internship.

PLEASE NOTE: As Harvard is a corporation organized under the laws of Massachusetts – and federal campaign laws prohibit corporations from making contributions to campaigns, campaign committees or political parties regulated by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) – the IOP (part of Harvard) cannot provide funding for students to work for a federal campaign (U.S. House, U.S. Senate, President), campaign committee or political party regulated by the FEC.

However, as state and local campaign finance laws vary by jurisdiction, the IOP may be able to offer funding to students to work for a state or local campaign or political party – in states where corporate contributions in the amount of IOP stipends are permissible ($2,500 for Summer Stipends). Students must secure certification from employers verifying funding is allowed under relevant campaign finance laws.

In addition, the IOP can also offer funding to students who work for entities (polling or media firms, etc.) that provide services to political campaigns or parties at the local, state or federal level.

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