We welcome your interest in undertaking a term of study and experience in Washington, D.C., and we invite you to join a 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
Executive Director,
UC Washington Center

ETHAN RARICK
Director
Matsui Center, UC Berkeley

BRIAN ROBERT MATSUI
Chair & President
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.
  1. Application for Berkeley students for Spring 2010
  2. Application for Merced students for Spring 2010
  3. Application for all quarter campus students for Spring 2010
  Please ensure you download the correct application for semester/quarter.
• Submit an Application.  Applications should be submitted by e-mail to fellowship@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

Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
All University of California undergraduate degree candidates participating in UCDC for the fall, winter, or spring academic term are eligible to apply. Non-degree students, including Education Abroad Students are not eligible. The fellowship is not currently offered during the summer term.

How many Matsui-U.C. Congressional Fellows will be named each year?
We anticipate naming four fellows for each semester and six fellows for each quarter, such that there will be a total class of twenty-six 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, and personal characteristics as evidenced by letters of recommendation, written submissions, and a telephone interview with the selection committee.

Do I have to already have a Congressional internship placement to apply?
No. In support of Fellows, the University of California provides enhanced placement counseling and a letter of introduction for submission with internship applications.

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 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.

Current Fellows - Fall 2009

Click here to download this page as an Adobe PDF document

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

For more information about the Robert T. Matsui Foundation for Public Service, please visit http://www.rtmfoundation.org/.