Council Summer Fellows Program

The Stage 1 application for the Summer Fellows program is currently open and will close on January 9, 2026 .

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 2026 will be our tenth 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 2026 to apply. Individuals who will have graduated by summer 2026 are not eligible for this program, but please check out our Postgraduate 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:

This fellowship provides multiple access points to innovative leaders who are shaping the future of Montgomery County in new and exciting ways. 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.

Dates of Fellowship: June 1, 2026 - August 7, 2026

Participants will receive an $8,000 stipend for this ten-week program.

Program Highlights

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 have the opportunity to meet weekly with Councilmembers to learn more about the policymaking process.

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

About Our Cohorts

Our program hosts graduate students from the Washington, D.C. area and beyond, with nearly half our Fellows coming from schools outside of the D.C. region. As of 2025, 73 Summer Fellows have participated in our program, from the following schools:

Maryland & DC Schools: 40 Fellows

American University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Johns Hopkins University
Morgan State University
University of Maryland

Out of State Schools: 33 Fellows

Cornell University
Duke University
Harvard University
Indiana University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton University
Stanford University
Syracuse University
University of Chicago
University of Georgia
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina
University of Pennsylvania
University of Wisconsin

Location Information

The Summer Fellows program is located in Montgomery County, Maryland. Many County office buildings are a 10-minute walk from either the Rockville Metro Station or the Wheaton Metro Station. Other placements may be elsewhere in the County, accessible by either bus or car. Transportation costs are not covered by the program, beyond the stipend.

Relocation to the region for the summer is at the applicant’s expense. Please let us know if you are experiencing issues with securing housing and we will be happy to help.

Eligibility Criteria

Ideal candidates:

  • Are enthusiastic to learn about local government
  • Demonstrate innovative ideas and approaches to policy problems
  • Embody strong interpersonal skills and collaborative mindsets
  • Are eager to make a real impact on Montgomery County residents and businesses
  • Desire the opportunity for skill development

Candidates must:

  • Be current graduate level students (Masters or PhD programs).  Candidates cannot have graduated before the program start date
  • Have completed at least their first year of graduate study by the program start date
  • Study public policy, public administration/affairs, public health, planning, law, or related fields
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Live in the Washington, D.C. region during the fellowship period
    • Telework agreements may be discussed on an individual basis with your supervisor
    • In person hours still expected

Summer Fellows Application

The Summer Fellows program consists of a two stage written application followed by an interview for selected candidates. 

The Stage 1 application consists of a brief form that requests basic information about the applicant, along with a resume and undergraduate transcript. It will close on January 9, 2026.

Apply to the Summer Fellows Program 2026

The Stage 2 application will be emailed by mid-January directly to selected applicants who successfully complete and meet certain requirements in the Stage 1 application. Applicants selected for Stage 2 must submit the following:

  • Two reference letters (at least one graduate professor/supervisor is preferred)
  • First semester graduate school transcript, when available
  • A writing sample (5-10 pages)
  • Responses to four short answer questions

In Stage 3, selected applicants will be asked to participate in an interview.

Applicants selected for the program will be notified by the end of March 2026.

Informational Sessions

The Council will hold two informational sessions via Zoom for prospective applicants. All times are Eastern.

Friday, December 5, 3:00 - 4:00 PM -  Join Zoom Meeting
Monday, December 8, 5:00 - 6:00 PM - Join Zoom Meeting

Summer Fellows Brochure

Download the informational brochure highlighting our program.

Contact our Program Coordinators

Please feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Fellow Reports