CHCI Congressional Internship Program, summer 2027 (May 19 to July 30)

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)

Deadline: December 1, 2026

Amount

$4,776 stipend + free housing

Location

Washington, D.C.

Cost

Free

Class level

Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Community college

A paid 10-week internship in a U.S. congressional office in Washington, D.C., with weekly leadership training. CHCI covers housing, round-trip travel, medical insurance and a Metro stipend.

Why it matters

CHCI says outright that DACA recipients can apply and that you do not have to disclose your status when you apply, which is rare for a Capitol Hill internship.

Who can apply

U.S. citizensGreen-card holdersDACA / TPSRefugees and asylees

The official program page says applicants must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, asylees, or people lawfully authorized to work full time with evidence of employment authorization. F-1 and M-1 students are not eligible. Its FAQ says DACA applicants are eligible and need a valid work permit at the start of the program and for its whole duration.

Eligibility

You must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree in spring 2027 (spring 2027 graduates may apply). Community college students graduating in June can apply if they transfer to a four-year school in the fall. CHCI prefers a 3.0 GPA or higher, leadership and a commitment to public service. Any major is welcome, and applicants do not need to be Latino if they are committed to the Latino community.

What you need

• One-page resume (PDF)
• Most recent unofficial transcript
• One professional recommendation
• Three essays of 300 to 600 words

How to apply

Apply online on the CHCI application portal (chci.smapply.org) before December 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm Eastern. Finalists record an asynchronous video interview.

Summer 2027 deadline: December 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. A fall 2027 session (August 18 to November 12, $5,400) has a March 1, 2027 deadline.