Student Opportunities

Q: How do I determine which program is the right fit for me?

A: It is important to consider your interests and goals, as well as eligibility requirements, when choosing which opportunities to pursue. Some criteria to consider:

If you are looking for... Consider applying to... A 7-month fellowship experience that spans the spring semester and the first half of summer; Support securing a summer internship in Sacramento; Robust, hands-on professional development training; Research training; Exposure to public service in California, particularly at the state level, whether within government or in an adjacent sector (e.g...

About the Program

The Matsui Pathways to Federal Public Service Fellowship Program is a new, holistic, and immersive experience that opens doors and increases access to opportunities to work in DC-based federal government roles by offering: financial support | exposure to public service career paths in or alongside federal government | mentorship | career readiness training

The Pathways to Federal Public Service Fellowship Program is designed to inspire students who represent a diverse cross section of society – particularly first-generation and low-income students – to enter federal public...

How to Apply to the Synar Fellowship

Application

The Synar Fellowship application is due by Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 11:59pm.

The application includes:

Brief questionnaire Dissertation synopsis (25o words or less) Statement of Purpose (including a timetable for completion of dissertation, budget, and justification of need) (1,500 words or less, not including timetable, budget, or brief budget justification) CV Transcript Name of recommender (must be one of your Dissertation Advisors) Recommendation

All applicants are required to secure a recommendation from a Dissertation Advisor. Your...

How to Apply to the Percy Grant

Application

The Percy Grant application is due by Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 11:59pm.

The application includes:

Brief questionnaire Essay Budget and brief description of research expenses Resume Transcript(s) Name of recommender (faculty member or GSI) Recommendation

All applicants are required to secure a recommendation from a UC Berkeley faculty member or GSI. Your recommender must submit a letter of recommendation via the...

Q: I am a transfer student. What opportunities am I eligible for?

A: Transfer students are eligible and encouraged to apply for all Matsui Center and IGS programs.

Note that the Schaeffer Fellows program requires that students have at least one (1) semester remaining after the completion of their summer intership. For example, students who participate in the program in Summer 2026 must still be enrolled at UC Berkeley in Fall 2026. (In this scenario, students graduating in December 2026 are eligible). Transfer students who are interested in applying for the Schaeffer Fellows program are therefore encouraged to apply in their first year at...

Q: Can I participate in a program more than once?

A: No. Students can only patricipate in a specific program (such as the Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship) once. The exception to this rule is Student Directors who return to help lead the program in a subsequent year.

Q: I am a graduate student. What opportunities are available to me?

A: Below are some opportunities open to graduate students (master's or doctoral):

David M. Howard Memorial Prize in American Politics — Awarded annually to one Ph.D. candidate (ABD) engaged in research on public policy, political behavior, or public opinion in the U.S. broadly understood. Mike Synar Graduate Research Fellowship — Awarded annually to three Ph.D. students writing dissertations on an aspect of...

Q: Can I participate in more than one program concurrently?

A: It depends. Students cannot participate in the Cal-in-Sacramento, Schaeffer, and Pathways to Federal Public Service Fellowship programs at the same time, since these all involve a program-related 8-10 week summer internship. Students are also not permitted to participate in both Democracy Camp in Berkeley and Democracy Camp in DC during the same cycle (same academic year). However, students can participate in either Cal-in-Sacramento, Schaeffer, Pathways and one Democracy Camp program within the same cycle.

About the Program

The Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship is designed to train the next generation of public service leaders through a highly supportive and comprehensive approach to experiential learning.

Fellows develop critical skills and engage thoughtfully with key policy issues using a 3-pillar model, combining coursework, research training, and professional development. These components provide the foundation for the Cal-in-Sacramento capstone: the summer public service internship.

Cal-in-Sac Supplemental Fellowships

Cal-in-Sacramento Supplemental Fellowships

Most summer internships are unpaid. To assist with affordability and ensure that this life-changing public service opportunity is open to all student regardless of financial status, the Cal-in-Sac Fellowship Program provides students with free, shared housing at Sac State, a $200 transportation stipend, and a modest living stipend (usually $750-$1000). Cal-in-Sacramento applicants are also invited to apply to one of the following supplemental Fellowships, which includes a larger living stipend ($2550) along with specific requirements related to...