Hudson Institute Political Studies offers top undergraduates a fellowship in political theory and practice that will broaden and deepen their understanding of public policy and American political principles. Students participate free of charge, are given complimentary accommodations and receive a $3,000 stipend to offset travel and other ancillary expenses. The 2026 Summer Fellowship will have two sessions: one from May 24th- July 5th, one for June 28th- August 7th.
The core of Hudson Institute Political Studies Summer Fellowship in Theory and Practice of Politics is a six-week summer program for undergraduates and recent graduates, based in Washington, DC.
This program includes four components:
Component 1: Rigorous seminars led by master teachers on week-long topics in political theory and public policy. These seminars form the core of the program. Following careful reading of classic texts in political thought and policy analyses on selected topics, students engage in serious discussions every weekday morning for three hours.
Component 2: A series of policy workshops led by think tank experts and experienced government officials will be held once per week during the six weeks of the summer program. These will allow students to actively engage in the policy-making process, wrestle with policy problems of our day, and gain an understanding of our policy process.
Component 3: A distinguished speaker series, which takes place three afternoons per week during the summer program. National leaders from government, business, journalism, the military, and the academy will discuss important topics of political philosophy and public policy with the student body. These discussions will give the students insights into the true nature of public service and the country’s most pressing issues
Component 4: A series of events, which take place either in the afternoon or during the weekend. Students travel to places of national and historical interest in order to see politics through other lenses including art, history, and military decision-making. The events help students to understand political life as it has manifested itself outside of philosophy and policy.
Applicants should have an interest in our fellowship topics–political thought and public policy, be good writers, and want to spend their summer in an intensive academic environment.
