Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program 2027: Paid Public Policy Fellowship at the University of Delaware
Overview
The Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program 2027 is a paid public policy fellowship administered by the University of Delaware Institute for Public Administration. Established in 1982, the program connects the research capacity of the University of Delaware and Delaware State University with the research needs of the Delaware General Assembly. Selected participants work directly with legislators and legislative staff in Dover to conduct nonpartisan, in-depth research on critical state issues, while also participating in a three-credit seminar titled State Government: Management and Policy.
Who can apply
Eligibility is restricted to full-time master’s degree students or especially qualified junior- or senior-level undergraduate students from the partnering universities who hold a GPA of 3.4 or higher. Applicants should possess strong writing skills and a background in fields such as public administration, public policy, political science, international relations, economics, communications, criminal justice, sociology, urban affairs, history, or business administration. A demonstrated interest in the legislative process, government, or policy analysis is preferred.
What you get
Participants receive a paid fellowship experience that offers direct exposure to state government operations and policymaking. Fellows also earn credit from a three-credit academic seminar connecting their practical work with university coursework. For participants traveling from the University of Delaware campus, transportation to Dover is provided via a vanpool under specific conditions.
Requirements
Fellows are scheduled to work in Dover on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, leaving campus at approximately 11:00 a.m. and returning around 6:30 p.m. on those days. Participants must complete the fellowship activities and academic seminar requirements throughout the duration of the program.
Key dates
The fellowship activities run from January 12 through June 30, 2027. An orientation takes place during the first full week of January 2027.