The Council of American Ambassadors (CAA) Annenberg Summer Fellowship program enables undergraduate students per year to come to Washington, D.C. and participate in a prestigious summer program that combines mentoring by former U.S. ambassadors and academic studies in international affairs, augmenting the practical experience of the State Department internships. The potent combination of mentoring, practical training and academic study inspires and prepares the Fellows to assume the responsibility of helping the United States strengthen our alliances and promote democracy, peace, human rights and prosperity in our relations with other countries around the world.
The Fellowship
State Department: To qualify for the CAA Annenberg Summer Fellowship program, students must first be selected for a DC-based summer internship at the U.S. Department of State. Once they have gained acceptance to the State Department's program, students, who are rising senior undergraduates and who meet the program criteria, will receive an invitation to apply for the CAA Fellowship. Click here to obtain more information about State's student internship program.
Mentorship: In addition to the State Department internship, CAA Fellows, known as the Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg Fellows, receive valuable advice and guidance from Council member-ambassadors as well as Alumni Fellows, who serve as mentors, meeting with the Fellows on a regular basis during their stay in Washington, D.C. to discuss international affairs issues and careers.
Coursework: The program enables students to take an evening academic class providing Fellows the opportunity to accrue additional credits toward their degree requirements (depending on the policies of their universities). It is designed to equip the Fellows with skills essential to becoming effective diplomatic international affairs and national security professionals. This will be held each Tuesday from 6:00-8:00pm during the 10 weeks of the internship;
The application deadline for the 2024 CAA Annenberg Summer Fellowship program is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Sunday, March 31, 2024. Detailed application instructions can be found on our Application Guideline page.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the CAA Fellowship program, the applicant must be extremely motivated and able to demonstrate the following:
- A strong commitment to pursuing a career in diplomacy and international affairs;
- Applicants must be rising juniors and rising seniors - if in the fall of 2024 you will be entering your junior or senior year you are eligible to apply.
- A high level of excellence in academics and leadership in extra-curricular activities;
- Competency in at least one foreign language; or completion of a course in international studies and/or study or travel abroad.