Become a Policy Fellow
Become an ACE Policy Fellow
ACE is proud to publish policy resources by and for youth voters. Policy Fellows collaborate to produce nonpartisan, accessible research briefs for publication. Research teams are led by ACE Research Associates—graduate students with expertise in their field or highly-qualified undergraduate students.
Research Associates work one-on-one with Policy Fellows to develop and provide feedback on their research projects. Over the course of the internship, Policy Fellows will design a research plan and publish several briefs in their policy area of interest.
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions section at the bottom of this page for more info.
Our Amazing Policy Fellows come from all across the country-to read more about them, click here
Application Deadline
ACE hosts three policy Fellowship programs per year: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Applications for Policy Fellow positions are evaluated on a rolling basis, so we encourage interested students to apply as early as possible. If a posting is open on our Handshake page, we are still actively accepting applications.
Time Commitment
10- 15 hours per week
Application Process
Step 1
Develop a sense of ACE’s writing style and publication goals by reading published briefs on our website
Step 2
Step 3
Thoroughly read the job description on Handshake and attach all required materials (resume and writing sample are required; cover letter is optional)
Step 4
20 to 30-minute interview with the Research Associate of your prospective policy team
Step 5
Accept your offer in a timely manner
Step 6
Complete onboarding materials and prepare for a great research cycle at ACE!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use this internship for academic credit?
Yes! If your school hosts an internship course or practicum program, you can count your hours at ACE for credit. If you plan to use the Policy Fellowship to receive academic credit, make sure to notify your Research Associate at the beginning of the semester and clarify any specific requirements to ensure you receive credit. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure this internship meets all the requirements for academic credit from their institution, and request any necessary information or paperwork at the beginning of the internship.
What is the time commitment for a Policy Fellow?
We ask students to commit an average of 10 hours per week to this program. ACE recognizes that students juggle multiple commitments, and this Fellowship is designed to be a feasible addition to your academic courseload and/or work opportunities. The Fellowship primarily consists of self-scheduled work to meet weekly deadlines, with 1-2 weekly meetings that are scheduled with Fellows’ availability in mind. We always want to support students in prioritizing their mental health, and can adjust commitments in the event of an emergency. However, regularly completing less than the required hours makes it unlikely that students will end the semester with a published brief.
What are the opportunities for advancement through the Policy Fellows Program?
ACE believes in the power of young leaders and is always looking for hardworking, motivated students to take on leadership positions within the organization. Policy Fellows can elect to lead team projects during their Fellowship period and propose projects to advance ACE’s mission. Exceptional Fellows can be promoted to Research Associate, to manage research teams in their area of expertise.
What makes a successful Policy Fellow?
Policy Fellows can come from any academic discipline or major, so long as they are passionate about public policy and empowering voters to make informed decisions. While we encourage students with prior experience in policy research and/or professional writing to apply, a willingness to learn and take on new challenges is just as important. ACE supports research across many policy areas, and successful Fellows tend to be those who apply to a policy team they feel especially passionate about. NOTE: Studies have shown that women and BIPOC individuals often hesitate to apply for roles unless they meet or exceed 100% of the listed requirements. We encourage anyone who thinks they have the drive to succeed in this role to apply.