OCA 2027 Summer Internship Program in Washington, D.C.: Paid 10-Week Internship Offering $5,250 Stipend, Leadership Training and Professional Experience

Overview

The OCA National Center Summer Internship Program is a full-time, ten-week professional experience based in Washington, D.C. Established in 1989 and organized by OCA National Center, also known as OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, the programme cultivates future leaders by engaging undergraduate students and recent graduates in public service, community development, advocacy, and issues impacting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Who can apply

The opportunity is open to undergraduate students and recent graduates with an interest in public service, leadership development, advocacy, and AANHPI community issues. Participants must relocate to Washington, D.C., for the duration of the programme as it is conducted entirely in person.

What you get

Selected participants receive a pre-tax stipend of $5,250 for successfully completing the ten-week programme, though some placement organisations may alternatively provide direct pay of at least an equivalent amount. Additional benefits include professional placements at OCA National Center or external entities, weekly Sama Sama sessions, APIA-U leadership training, attendance at the annual OCA National Convention, Advocacy Day, professional mentorship, networking events, personal and professional development workshops, mid-term and final evaluations, a final exit memorandum, and one year of free OCA membership along with access to the OCA alumni network.

Requirements

Interns are required to work full-time for ten weeks, attend all mandatory in-person activities in Washington, D.C., meet with an assigned professional mentor at least once every month, and complete all responsibilities through the end of the programme. Incomplete participation may result in a reduced stipend, and participants are responsible for filing taxes on their pre-tax stipend income.

How to apply

Applicants can submit their materials through the standard application process before the designated deadlines.

Key dates

The programme runs from June 7 to August 13, 2027. The priority application deadline is November 29, 2026, and the final application deadline is January 3, 2027.