Looking for a meaningful, paid summer experience that lets you work for social justice, climate action, and equity? Say hello to the Henry A. Wallace Fellowship Program 2025 — a powerful 10-week opportunity for young activists, scholars, and movement builders who want to sharpen their voices and fuel real change.
Whether you’re passionate about dismantling systems of injustice or want to dig deeper into how policy, advocacy, and activism intersect, this fellowship — held in Washington, D.C. from June 2 to August 8, 2025 — offers the mentorship, training, and platform to help you grow.
What Makes This Fellowship Special?
Unlike most internships that expect you to work for free, the Henry A. Wallace Fellowship is fully paid — you’ll earn $18 per hour for your time, ideas, and impact. Named after Henry A. Wallace, a progressive leader and key New Deal architect, the program is rooted in fighting racism, fascism, and inequality while championing democracy, workers’ rights, and climate justice.
This isn’t your average internship — it’s an immersive training experience focused on “public scholarship” — that powerful space where academic research meets real-world advocacy and grassroots movements. You’ll walk away not just with work experience, but with a clearer sense of how you can be a force for change in the world.
Who Can Apply?
This opportunity is ideal for young people and students who are deeply committed to justice-based movements. If you care about peace, equity, and sustainability — and want to contribute your energy to build a better future — this is for you.
You don’t need to have years of experience. What matters is your passion, your voice, and your curiosity to learn. IPS strongly encourages applicants from backgrounds that are often underrepresented in public policy spaces. If you’ve faced barriers to accessing internship opportunities before, this program is designed with you in mind.
What Will You Do?
The program is broken into five dynamic parts:
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Workshops – Biweekly sessions led by top thinkers and organizers, covering everything from grassroots campaign strategy to policy writing, media outreach, and the history of social movements.
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Hands-on Mentorship – You’ll be matched with a mentor and placed in one of IPS’s core project areas, such as:
- Economic Justice
- Climate Justice
- Racial and Gender Justice
- Peace & Foreign Policy
- Communications
- Program Development
You’ll get real-world experience writing, researching, attending events, and even contributing to IPS’s in-house publications.
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Intergenerational Dialogue – Learn directly from long-time activists and organizers and build your network of allies and mentors.
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Career Coaching – Receive one-on-one guidance to help you chart your career path in the nonprofit, advocacy, or policy world. You’ll also gain access to a growing alumni network of Henry A. Wallace Fellows.
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Symposium & Strategy Sessions – Participate in a summer symposium and campaign strategy meetings with IPS and partner organizations.
Apply: https://ips-dc.org/project/henry-a-wallace-fellowship-program/.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the Henry A. Wallace Fellowship Program 2025 is Monday, March 31, 2025.