Montgomery County Council Summer Fellow Program

Council Summer Fellows Program

Program Background

The Montgomery County Council’s paid ten-week Summer Fellows Program is a unique opportunity that enables graduate students to gain real world local government experience across multiple fields. Summer 2023 will be our seventh consecutive year hosting the program. We welcome students in policy-related graduate programs (policy, public administration, planning, public health, law, etc.) who will have completed their first year of study by summer 2023 to apply. Individuals who will have graduated by summer 2023 are not eligible for this program, but please check out our Year Long Fellows Program for recent graduates.

The program is centrally coordinated by the County Council and the Council will always host Fellows. However, placement availability throughout the rest of County government changes yearly based on need and interest. Past Fellows have worked within these four independent organizations:

Montgomery County Council
Montgomery County Executive Branch
- Office of the County Executive; Dept. of Transportation; Dept. of Housing and Community Affairs; Dept. of Health and Human Services; Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions; Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice; Office of Innovation; Community Use of Public Facilities; Regional Services Centers
Council's Office of Legislative Oversight (OLO)
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation

This alliance provides multiple access points to innovative leaders who are shaping the future of Montgomery County in new and exciting ways (virtual or in-person). It also enables participants to build an experience specifically tailored to their field of study and interests. Applicants selected for the interview stage will be asked to rank the available placements. Participants will work directly with decision makers (elected officials, senior management staff, and more) on ongoing projects, policy analyses and research projects.

A key component of the program is the self-selected independent research (see the reports below). Near the conclusion of the program, Fellows present their policy recommendations to the full Council during a live Council Session.

Fellows will also be able to explore the County through weekly field trips.

Dates of Fellowship: June 5, 2023 - August 11, 2023

Summer Fellows Brochure

Please review the brochure for additional information on the placements, work scope, eligibility criteria, and the application/selection process.

Summer Fellows Application

The Stage 1 application is open. Apply now.

The Stage 2 application will be emailed directly to selected applicants who successfully complete and meet certain requirements in the Stage 1 application. Learn more about both stages and the selection process in the brochure.

We will conduct three information sessions about our program. You can attend multiple information sessions, but the information shared will be the same.

Register to get email reminders.