The Matsui Pathways to Federal Public Service Fellowship Program is a collaboration between the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service and Cal in the Capital (CITC). It is designed to inspire students who represent the diversity of American society – particularly first-generation and low-income students – to enter federal public service in our nation's capital. Our goal is to provide Berkeley students with the resources, support, training and experience needed to create a pathway into federal changemaking spaces.
Program Overview
-
Pathways Fellows complete a 1-unit course (PS 110F) during the spring semester, which provides an orientation to the nation's capital, U.S. government, careers in federal public service, and policymaking. (All Pathways Fellows must complete this in-person course, which will meet on Wednesdays from 4:00-6:00pm.)
- Fellows also complete a 2-unit DeCal course, led by a CITC Student Director, which offers essentials on the placement search process and the DC landscape along with community building opportuntities.
-
Matsui Center program staff provide Pathways Fellows with support throughout the internship search process, including help with identifying potential placement opportunities, resume and cover letter workshops, and 1-1 feedback on placement materials.
-
Fellows move to Washington, D.C. in late May/early June and complete a 10-week full-time summer internship working for a Member of Congress, a federal agency or department, or at a think tank or nonprofit organization whose work is adjacent to the federal government.
-
The Pathways Fellowship covers the cost of shared housing (approx. $4000) during the 10-week D.C. residency at the UC Washington Center, and includes a stipend (approx. $4000) to help with travel and living expenses. (Total award = $8,000.)
- Fellows take part in group activities and networking events over the summer. They also are paired with a mentor, who they meet with over the summer and who provides additional professional support and advice.
Eligibility
- This Fellowship is only open to UC Berkeley undergraduate students who are also accepted to the Cal in the Capital (CITC) Program. Visit the Cal in the Capital website for more information and upcoming application deadlines.
- Open to all majors and years, including seniors who will graduate in May 2026, as well as transfer students.
- Due to the requirement to complete the 1 unit course (PS110F) and 2 unit DeCal, which are both in-person and only offered during the spring, students planning to study abroad during the spring semester are NOT eligible.
Program Dates
Pathways to Federal Public Service is an 8-month (January to mid-August) fellowship program in partnership with Cal in the Capital (CITC). During the spring semester, students complete a 1-unit introductory course in federal policy and governance, and a 2-unit DeCal CITC course to learn more about the internship search process, and discuss current social issues and the many stakeholders and players in DC.
During the summer, students move to Washington, D.C. to intern full-time from early June through mid August, while exploring their interests, enhancing their professional and leadership skills, learning about national issues and current events, networking with Cal alumni, and exploring the dynamic life of our nation’s capital.
| Fall 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| September 8, 2025: CITC/Pathways Application Opens | January 2026: PS 110F (Wednesdays, 4-6pm) and CITC DeCal commence | June 2026: Move into UC Washington Center |
| September 28, 2025: CITC/Pathways Application Closes | January-March 2026: Apply to internships | June 2026: Internships Begin |
| November 2025: CITC and Pathways cohorts finalized | March-May 2026: Secure offers and commit to a summer internship placement | August 2026: Internships End |
| August 2026: Move out of UC Washington Center. |
Is this program right for me?
-
The Pathways to Federal Public Service Fellowship is designed for Berkeley students who are passionate about public service and interested in receiving training, mentorship, and experience that will help prepare them for careers in or alongside federal government in Washington, DC.
-
Fellows complete a mandatory 1-unit course, which provides an orientation to politics and policymaking at the federal level of government. (All Pathways Fellows must complete this in-person course, which will meet on Wednesdays, 4:00-6:00pm.)
-
Fellows receive highly structured support from program staff when applying for internships. Fellows can intern in any non-partisan public service organization, including both government and non-government/non-profit organizations, as long as they are oriented toward the federal government. All internship sites must be approved by the program staff.
-
Each Fellow is paired with a mentor over the summer and receives additional professional development training and networking opportunities.
Questions? Contact Matsui Program Manager Rubin Rubin: rubinrubin@berkeley.edu