• American Enterprise Institute
• American Legislative Exchange Council 
• Americans for Tax Reform
• Americans United for Life
• Center for a Free Cuba
• Center for a Secure Free Society
• Citizens Against Government Waste
• Competitive Enterprise Institute
• Free Russia Foundation
• FreedomWorks
• Hudson Institute 
• Institute for Free Speech
• Mercatus Center at George Mason University

• McCain Institute for International Leadership
• National Federation of Independent Business
• Religious Freedom Institute
• Republican Governors Association
• The Daily Caller
• The Federalist Society
• The Washington Examiner
• U.S. Congressional and Senate Offices
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Education, Health and Human Services, Justice and Transportation
• Washington Council of Lawyers

Academics

Students earn 12 credits from George Mason University (GMU). The courses are designed to complement your D.C. internship experience by offering a thorough examination of our free enterprise system and the economic way of thinking.

• Class meetings are held in Arlington, VA at GMU’s state-of-the-art facilities, conveniently accessible via Metro. 
• GMU has been named one of the top 100 research universities in the U.S. by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and was recently ranked Number 1 Young University by Times Higher Ed.
• You'll receive a GMU transcript. After the program you can request your transcript from the registrar’s office.

Liberty Focused Lectures

Weekly guest lectures allow you to engage with some of the best public policy experts and political minds in D.C. Past speakers include:

• Doug Bandow, Senior Fellow, The Cato Institute
• Rachel Ferguson, Director of the Center for Free Enterprise, Concordia University Chicago
• Steve Hanke, Professor of Economics, Johns Hopkins University
• Lindsay Hayes, President, Free the Facts
• Greg Lukianoff, President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
• Judge Andrew Napolitano, Senior Judicial Analyst, Fox News
• U.S. Senator Rand Paul

Economic Problems + Public Policies (ECON 309)

Professor

Dr. Anne Bradley

TFAS Vice President of Academic Affairs

Credits: 3

Course Description
This course introduces students to the role of economics in the context of policy-making. Students will learn how to apply economic thinking and analysis to a variety of public policy issues. Examples will be drawn from current Administration policy initiatives, government economic policy, and ongoing legislative battles in Congress. Students will examine basic economic concepts and the market economy. They will be introduced to public choice theory and analyze various policy issues through the lens of economics

American Political Thought (GOVT 420)

Professor

Dr. Richard Boyd

Georgetown University

Credits: 3

Course Description
This course is the perfect complement to any internship in the nation’s capital – where politics and the federal government are front-page news every day. This interactive course will explore the development of the American political tradition from the New England Puritan settlement to the Founding Era and the conclusion of the Civil War. The class will also examine how the role of government has changed, how people’s relationship to the government has evolved, and what this means for the future. Students will discuss the many ways in which Enlightenment liberalism developed alongside alternatives such as classical republicanism and Christianity. Students will explore these contradictory impulses in American political culture and discuss ways that they can be reconciled.

Inside Washington Internship Seminar (ECON 496)

Professor

Karen Czarnecki

Mercatus Center

Credits: 6

Course Description
The internship seminar offers a structured environment in which to reflect on internship experiences and to explore “How Washington Works” from an insider’s perspective. Observing Washington in action makes clear that politics in real life often differs from how it is portrayed in textbooks. Students will explore both the public and private sectors roles in advancing public policy through group projects and site visits to organizations around the city. This seminar is taught by a former Congressional Chief of Staff and senior advisor at the Department of Labor. High-level guest speakers will cover pressing issues such as national security, cases before the Supreme Court, political campaigns, pending federal legislation and the media’s coverage of Washington.

Site Briefings

Peer inside the walls of the city’s most influential institutions and organizations through exclusive tours and briefings with officials at:

• American Enterprise Institute
• Cato Institute
• CIA + FBI
• Embassies
• Federal Reserve
• Heritage Foundation
• National Press Club
• U.S. Congress
• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Securities + Exchange Commission
• World Bank

Career Exploration

Practice your networking skills and explore a variety of career paths through organized events with TFAS alumni and other D.C. professionals. 

Gain invaluable insights from top lobbyists, nonprofit executives, journalists, Capitol Hill staffers, Foreign Service officers and policymakers to leverage your D.C. experience into a promising future internship or full-time job after graduation.

Mentor Program

In D.C. it’s often not “what you know,” but “who you know.” Our Professional Mentor Program gives students a personal connection to a professional in Washington, D.C.

Students have weekly  meetings with mentors on topics such as getting a job in D.C., resume help, advice on graduate school and much more.

We do our best to match students with a mentor based on your field of study, career goals, college or university, hometown and other factors whenever possible.

Furnished Housing on Capitol Hill

Enjoy an engaging community of peers in furnished housing in the heart of Washington, D.C.

Fellowship participants are housed together in a residential building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. that has been converted into apartments.

Roommate matches are handmade by TFAS staff using compatibility criteria you provide during the enrollment process.

Amenities

The apartments are fully furnished, including a complete kitchen. They are internet-ready and air-conditioned, and have easily accessible laundry facilities. Each apartment has a fully furnished kitchen with plates, silverware, and glassware. 

Also included are twin-sized beds, a table and chairs, couch, a full bathroom and closets. The living/dining area is equipped with a TV with basic cable. While each apartment layout is different, the amenities included are the same.

Neighborhood + Transportation

The building is located on the House of Representatives side of Capitol Hill and is part of the largest residential neighborhood in Washington. It is one of the oldest residential communities in D.C. with numerous shops, restaurants, Congressional buildings and many of the city’s most significant cultural attractions close by, including the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. 

The building is located just a short walk from the Capitol South and Eastern Market Metro Stations (Orange/Blue/Silver lines), providing easy access to internship sites and other locations across the city.

Excursions + Social Events

Embark on a journey through history on the highway of hallowed grounds, as we explore iconic sites where significant moments in American history have unfolded. Past excursions include:

• Visit to The National Archives
• Guided Tour of the Monuments + Memorials
• Tour of the U.S. Capitol + Speaker’s Balcony
• Visit to the Library of Congress
• Tour of Old Town Alexandria
• Day trip to Philadelphia

Selection Criteria

When selecting undergraduate students to participate in the Fellowship, TFAS is looking for applicants with a demonstrated interest in the principles of limited government and free enterprise, as well as a commitment to leadership with a desire to make a difference in the world.

The admissions committee looks at the whole individual. We are seeking well-rounded students who demonstrate ambition, strong academic performance, leadership ability, maturity, time management skills as well as campus and community involvement. Applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, relevant professional and volunteer experience, and well-written essays are given the highest scores.

Timeline + Eligibility

Application Deadlines

Priority - September 25, 2025

Final - October 30, 2025

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Students will be notified of their selection decision via email within 3 weeks of completing an application. Students accepted to the fellowship are given between 2-3 weeks to accept or decline the fellowship offer.

Applicants must be 18 years old, have graduated high school and have completed at least one semester of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university before applying to attend the semester fellowship.

Fellowship Financials

Selected Fellows will receive a full scholarship covering tuition at George Mason University, housing in furnished Capitol Hill apartments and program fees. 

In addition, Fellows will receive a $1,000 completion stipend.