Welcome

Dear University of California Student:

We are delighted that you are interested in undertaking a term of study and experience in Washington, D.C., and we invite you to join special program at the U.C. Washington Center by applying to become a Robert T. Matsui-University of California Congressional Fellow.

The Matsui-U.C. Congressional Fellowship provides a package of financial support, placement assistance, and special training and programming to excellent U.C. students who devote their term in Washington to working for the Congress. The Fellowship recognizes that congressional internships are the inspiration and launching point for the careers of some of the most distinguished public servants in the Nation.  Members of Congress and their constituents depend on interns for their work.  In addition, congressional interns gain an important vantage point on American public life, valuable professional networking and communications skills, and an important credential for students who later wish to return to work in Congress or elsewhere in Federal or California government.

The Fellowship honors the late Robert T. Matsui, a distinguished graduate of U.C. Berkeley and the U.C. Hastings College of Law, who represented the people of Sacramento in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than a quarter century until his passing in 2005.  Mr. Matsui championed important issues including protection of our Nation’s civil liberties and provision of social services to those who need them most.  Throughout his work, Mr. Matsui supported open debate, meaningful discourse, and bipartisan compromise.  The Fellowship seeks to embody Mr. Matsui’s belief in common decency among people who choose to work in public service.

We thank you for your interest in the Matsui-U.C. Congressional Fellowship and commend your decision to learn more about our government through first-hand experience.  We hope you will apply to participate in this very special program.

With best wishes,

BRUCE E. CAIN                                                                           BRIAN ROBERT MATSUI
Executive Director                                                                                Chair & President
U.C. Washington Center                                                                       Robert T. Matsui Foundation

About the Fellowship

• Financial Support.  The Fellowship carries a significant stipend to defray the costs of a term in Washington.  Students in a semester program will receive a $2000 stipend; students in a quarter program will receive a $1500 stipend.
• Placement Assistance.Students named as fellows will be required to participate in a telephone placement consultation shortly after awards are made. While students will remain free to apply for and commit to an internship in any congressional office, the University of California will provide enhanced placement counseling to ensure that every Fellow receives a strong placement opportunity.  Matsui-U.C. Fellows will also receive a letter of introduction for submission with internship applications.
• Special Programming.  Matsui-U.C. Fellows will be invited to an award ceremony on Capitol Hill with California Members of Congress and the staff members of Fellows’ host offices.  Fellows may also have the opportunity to participate in one or more special events, which in the past have included the opportunity to meet President Bill Clinton and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
• Recognition.  Recipients of the Fellowship receive the title of Robert T. Matsui-University of California Congressional Fellow in recognition of the commitment they undertake to explore public service while at the U.C. Washington Center.




Application Process

• Download and Complete an Application.  Applications are available on the UC Washington Center website at:
  http://www.ucdc.edu/students/matsuifall2008.pdf
  Please ensure you download the correct application for semester/quarter.
• Submit an Application.  Applications should be submitted by e-mail to fellowships@ucdc.edu.  The application has several components, including a resume and transcript, a writing sample, and short essay responses.  Applications will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format.  Applicants are urged to ensure that they can gather all application materials in a form that can be e-mailed.
• Telephone Interview.  The UC Washington Center Fellowship Selection Committee, appointed by the UC Washington Center Executive Director, will interview finalists.
• Fellows Named.  Winners will be notified by e-mail of having been named a Robert T. Matsui-U.C. Congressional Fellow.

 

Frequently Asked Questions


How many Matsui-U.C. Congressional Fellows will be named each year?
We anticipate naming three fellows for each semester and five fellows for each quarter, such that there will be a total class of twenty-three Matsui-U.C. Fellows for each academic year.  The Fellowship is not presently offered during summer terms.

What are the criteria by which the fellows will be chosen?
Fellowships will be awarded based on academic record, quality of writing sample and short essay submissions, and personal characteristics as evidenced during a telephone interview with the selection committee.

Is this a nonpartisan fellowship?
YES!  Fellows are awarded without regard to party affiliation of applicant or placement office.

Who can I contact with questions?
Please send questions about the fellowship to Roya Soleimani (fellowship@ucdc.edu).

Can I learn more about Representative Robert T. Matsui?
The Matsui Foundation website has a biography of Representative Robert T. Matsui and links to additional information about him (http://www.rtmfoundation.org/aboutrtm.html). We urge you to take a few moments to learn about Mr. Matsui in the course of preparing your fellowship application.

Click here to download this page as an Adobe PDF document

Questions? Contact Roya Soleimani, fellowship@ucdc.edu or (202) 974-6345.