Serve Your People, Secure Your Future
Opportunities with NCAI
NCAI offers internships and fellowship to provide an opportunity for young leaders from throughout Indian Country to serve on the front lines of legislative action and policy development. All interns and fellows are selected through an application and interview process.
NCAI Internships: Students enrolled in institutions of higher learning are invited to apply for semester or summer-long internships (for which most institutions will offer college credit), with one to two applicants selected for each term. NCAI interns work with various staff on the issues they are most interested in pursuing.
The Wilma Mankiller Fellowship Program for Tribal Policy and Governance: The NCAI Wilma Mankiller Fellowship Program for Tribal Policy and Governance Fellowship program provides an exceptional opportunity for emerging young professionals throughout Indian Country to work side by side with national leaders in tribal policy. The eleven-month fellowship (for which a stipend and benefits will be available through the Youth Leadership Endowment), begins the first week of September each year, with two to three applicants selected to serve annually. Applicants must have a college degree or equivalent experience.
Click here to apply today.
NCAI Native Graduate Health Fellowship: The NCAI Native Graduate Health Fellowship aims to address the stark disparities in Native health by building a pipeline of Native health professionals who are prepared to lead in formulating and promoting health policies and practices that meet the unique needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Fellowship will include two components: 1) a financial award of $5,000; and 2) professional development in tribal health policy.
Click here for more information and to apply
Other Resources:
The Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, offers an in-depth list of resources for youth. Established by former North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, the organizations resources offers resources for youth, tribes, and others. Check out the Center’s Internship and Fellowships resources by visiting their website.
Washington Internships for Native Students (WINS) is a program administered by American University. WINS offers students of sovereign American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) nations the opportunity to build leadership skills while living, studying, and interning in Washington, DC.
Developed in response to the White House Initiative on American Indians and Alaska Natives, this enriching program offers qualified students full scholarships funded by American University and sponsoring organizations. Participating students will gain professional work experience through interning at a federal agency or private firm, take courses focusing on Native American public policy concerns, and enjoy engaging social and cultural extra-curricular activities.
This program is offered free of charge to eligible students through a scholarship grant funded by American University and sponsoring organizations. American Indian, Alaska Native (AI/AN), and other students enrolled in a college or university as a sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student in good academic standing are eligible to participate in the WINS program. Sophomores must have completed the equivalent of four (4) semesters of fulltime study to be eligible to participate in the program.
Most students receive a full scholarship to attend the program. Funding is provided by American University, governmental agencies, American Indian and Alaska Native organizations, Tribes, foundations, and private corporations. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition, travel to and from Washington DC, local transportation on the Metro, lodging, and the cost of scheduled social and cultural activities. Incidental expenses for non-program activities, including medical care and independent social activities are the responsibility of the student. Students not awarded full scholarships may apply for other scholarships or pay program costs.
The program runs for 8 weeks during the summer. For information, visit the website.