91Ô­´´

Founded in 1982, the Jerome R. LewisÌýLegislative Fellows Program is a flagship program of the Biden School. For the students, selected through a competitive application process, the experience offers a valuable opportunity to observe and contribute to the political decision-making process. For the General Assembly, the program provides the research skills of the Fellows as well as a link to University resources.

The Government Relations Fellow ProgramÌý(formerly,ÌýLegislative Researcher Program), managed by the Institute for Public Administration in partnership with theÌý, is an on-campus research program.

The UndergraduateÌýGovernment Relations Fellow works closely with the Government Relations Office's director and staff to provide direct, nonpartisan legislative monitoring and research assistance.

The program runs fromÌýthe beginning of JanuaryÌýto June 30, for a total of 250 hours (according to a schedule based on the student's academic courseload) with a research scholarship provided in the amount of $4,500​​.

Program Highlights

• Conducting nonpartisan research on and monitoring the status of legislation.
• Coordinating the University's legislative clearinghouse function. Providing analysis as well as updates.
• Helping to coordinate and develop the 91Ô­´´ Office of Government Relations communications contact list for state government, business, and community leaders.
• Assisting in the coordination of strategic interactions with state government officials and key business and community leaders.

Application Process

TheÌýGovernment Relations FellowÌýis selected through a competitive application submitted in the fall and an interview-basedÌýupon the research, writing, and personal attributes needed to succeed in 91Ô­´´'s Government Relations Office.

To apply, visit theÌý.ÌýAsk a faculty or staff member to fill outÌýÌýon your behalf.

The deadline to apply for the 2026ÌýGovernment Relations Fellow is on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.Ìý

The Summer City Management Fellows Program is designed to attract and develop talented emerging professionals in local government. Selected 91Ô­´´ MPA, MEEP, and 4+1 MPA​ students translate a passion for public service into practice through work placements with Delaware city/town managers.

Host municipalities have included the Town of Bowers Beach, Town of Dewey Beach, Town of Dover, Town of Fenwick Island, Town of Georgetown, City of Lewes, Town of Middletown, Town of Millsboro, Town of Milton, City of Milford, Town of New Castle, City of Rehoboth Beach, and the Town of Smyrna.Ìý

Program Highlights

Through direct mentorship from a Delaware city manager and key management staff, CityÌýManagement Fellows:

• Gain valuable experience in local government
• Assist with a variety of projects, assignments, and programs across the municipal organization​
• Use research, writing, and analytical skills by studying an issue, recommending solutions, and drafting management reports
• Interact with municipal leadership and attend high-level meetings to gain exposure to current local government issues
• Network with members of the City Management Association of Delaware (CMAD), a state affiliate of theÌýÌý(ICMA)
• Earn a fellowship stipend of $6,000 for your work

Interested in learning more about the Fellows' experience? ViewÌýÌýfor highlights from the 2019 91Ô­´´ Summer CityÌýManagement Fellows.

Eligibility

• Current 91Ô­´´ Biden School master’s degree or 4+1 studentsÌýwith a ​career interest in city management.​
• 91Ô­´´ ICMA Student Chapter member.​ Join at no cost.
• Commitment to 30 hours/week fromÌýJune 8 to August 14.ÌýSatisfies the MPA Internship requirement.
• Participation in the mandatory orientation during the week of June 1.​Ìý
• Ability to commute to or live near your ​host municipality in the summer.​

Application Process

To apply for Summer 2026, email yourÌýresume and a 2-page policy brief to Program ManagerÌýLisa Moreland AllredÌýby Friday, March 13.Ìý

Julia O’Hanlon and Lisa MorelandÌýAllred will screen candidates. Selected candidates willÌýparticipate in an interview with aÌýDelaware local government manager in mid-March.

The Undergraduate Legal Fellowship Program is sponsored by the 91Ô­´´'sÌýInstitute for Public Administration and the Delaware Courts. This paid fellowship allows students to conduct research alongside judges in the Supreme, Superior, Chancery, Family, or Common Pleas Courts for one month during the 91Ô­´´ Winter Session.

In this program, students learn about Delaware’s courts through an immersive experience, gaining knowledge of its functions and available career paths. It is intended to bolster the judiciary’s efforts to diversify its pipeline to the Bench and Bar. This is an exclusive opportunity for 91Ô­´´ students to work directly with experts in the legal field.Ìý

Program Highlights

This fellowship offers undergraduate students the opportunity to:

• Observe court proceedings
• Learn court etiquetteÌý
• Conduct legal research
• Analyze case studies and participate in professional development activities

Eligibility

• Current 91Ô­´´ sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an interest in law, legal fieldÌý

Application Process

Information for the 2027 Legal Fellowship Program application will be available soon.

If you have any questions, please email JuliaÌýO'Hanlon @Ìýjusmith@udel.edu.Ìý

The Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. ProgramÌýis aÌýstudy abroad program that gives all 91Ô­´´ undergraduate upperclassmen, regardless of major, the opportunity to live, work, and learn in the heart of the nation’s capital for the entire spring semester. ​Living, working and learning in Washington, D.C. allows students to develop integral networks that can be leveraged for future careers in public service while also ingraining a sense of responsibility to improve the quality of life for all people.Ìý

Program Highlights

Students​​ accepted into the program as Washington, D.C., Fellows:​

• Intern in a placement of their choice and receive six credits for their work and experience
• Take two in-classroom courses that cover the American policy-making ecosystem, democratic institutions and governance, and civil discourse
• Connect and take courses with students​ from the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at the City College of New York (CCNY), which runs an identical program
• Participate in a series of meetings that offer a unique insight into the Washington, D.C., policy ecosystem
• Live together in University-provided housing in the heart of Washington, D.C.​​

For more information, visit the official program webpage here.

If you have any questions, please email Phil Barnes atÌýpbarnes@udel.edu.Ìý

The Fall Legislative Research Fellows Program is a brand-new initiative, jointly managed by the Institute for Public Administration at the 91Ô­´´ and Delaware State University. This program provides a link between the research capacities of the partner universities and the research needs of the Delaware House of Representatives’ Majority Caucus.Ìý

If you have any questions, please email Program Managers Lisa Moreland Allred at lisamk@udel.edu or Dr. Jason Bourke at jbourke@desu.edu.ÌýÌý

Working 20 hours per week, our graduateÌýPublic Administration FellowsÌý(PAFs) are an integral part of our staff working on funded projects on campus and in the broader community. Real-world experience and the opportunity to further their professional development provide PAFs with valuable career skills. Students often cite this experience as the best aspect of their graduate study.

Applied Research and Public Service Projects

In tandem with faculty and professional staff, PAFs work on a wide range of applied research and public service projects, ranging from policy analysis to survey research to program evaluation. They participate in and lead professional development and training workshops, prepare technical reports and briefings, and make presentations on their findings.

In addition, some of our PAFs have been selected to work off-campus at state departments and agencies through our Public Policy Fellows program. Placements have included the Delaware Department of Education, Office of Management and Budget, Office of State Planning Coordination, Wilmington Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and the Division of Public Health.

Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Complete theÌý.

Whether studying best practices for green-building policies,Ìýproviding research and assistance on education equity issues,​ or researching community-based strategies that towns and cities may employ to give residents convenient, safe, everyday opportunities for physical activity, the Undergraduate Public Administration Fellows are helping to build knowledge and educate others on critical issues that will make a difference in the lives of citizens in Delaware and across the globe.

Selected through a competitive application process, Fellows work withÌýIPA's faculty and staffÌýmembersÌýon universal issues such as land use, water resources, education, transportation, and healthcare policy. Fellows typically work ten hours each week, earning an hourly wage.

Students with backgrounds in political science, economics, geography, environmental issues, engineering, public administration, business administration, leadership, sociology, history, or education will find the Public Administration Fellows experience particularly relevant to their long-range professional goals.

Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Complete the .Ìý

During the Summer Undergraduate Biden School Fellows Program,Ìýstudents conduct research with faculty and staff in one of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration's affiliated research centers—theÌýInstitute for Public AdministrationÌýor theÌýCenter for Community Research and Service—on public policy issues such as community revitalization, economic development, education policy, health policy, healthy communities, housing and homelessness, land-use planning, poverty, transportation, and water management.​

Fellows learn about policy issues from leaders in the field, network with practitioners, and witness classroom concepts come to life through research and public service.

The Summer Undergraduate Biden School Fellows Program runs for 10 weeks for a total of 300 hours. Fellows take a required UAPP or UNIV course and receive a $4,500 fellowship.​

Application Process

The application is now open for Summer 2026 and due on Tuesday, March 31:Ìý.