WREI Congressional Fellows FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this a scholarship program?
Does WREI offer any scholarships?
What does a fellow do?
Is a nine-month stay in Washington, DC a requirement?
Who is eligible?
Is the fellowship only available to women?
Is there an age requirement?
Is the fellowship restricted to any discipline or course of study?
How are WREI fellows compensated?
How Do I apply?
How many people apply for the fellowship?
When are applications due?
When are decisions made?
Why a women's policy fellowship?
What are the selection criteria?

Is this a scholarship program?
No. It is a fellowship for the purpose of giving students experience in public policymaking in Congress.

Does WREI offer any scholarships, loans, or grants?
No. We only offer the Congressional Fellowship.

What does a Fellow do?
Fellows to come to Washington, DC for eight months and work a minimum of 35 hours per week in a Congressional office as a legislative aide on policy issues affecting women.

Is an eight-month stay in Washington, DC a requirement?
Yes.

Who is eligible?
Only students who are currently enrolled in a master's or doctoral program at an accredited institution in the United States or who have completed such a program within the past 18 months are eligible. WREI strongly recommends that applicants complete at least nine hours of graduate coursework before applying and have a demonstrated interest in research or political activity related to women's social and political status.

Is the fellowship only available to women?
No. WREI welcomes applications from men and women.

Is there an age requirement?
No. People of any age are welcome to apply.

Is the fellowship restricted to any discipline or course of study?
No. The fellowship is open to all fields of study. Previous fellows have come from such disciplines as law, medicine, political science, social work, film-making, business, and nursing/midwifery.

How are WREI Fellows compensated?
WREI fellows receive a stipend of approximately $1,450 per month for eight months of the academic year (January-August). An additional sum of $500 is provided for the purchase of health insurance. WREI will also reimburse fellows up to a maximum of $1,500 ($750 per semester) for the cost of three hours tuition at their home institutions (books and other non-tuition charges are NOT covered). Fellows are responsible for transportation to and from Washington and for finding their own living arrangements. Currently, there are six WREI Fellowships available. This number changes according to funding from corporate, union, and foundation sponsors. Over the years, WREI Fellowships have been made possible by such funders as the Avon Products Foundation, the Charles H. Revson Foundation, Communications Workers of America, Elizabeth, Martha, and Emily Ehrenfeld, General Motors' Public Policy Center, Johnson & Johnson, Pharmacia, the Altria Group, the Rapoport Family Foundation, Twenty-First Century ILGWU Heritage Fund, and Wyeth.

How Do I Apply?
Applications are available for the upcoming year and can be obtained by sending a written request along with a 63¢ self-addressed envelope to WREI or you may download an application here (Word document). An original and three copies of the application and supporting materials must be received by mail in the WREI office by May 16, 2008.

How many people apply for the fellowship?
WREI receives between 45 to 100 applications each year for six to ten fellowship positions.

When are applications due?
Applications for 2008 are due May 16, 2008. Please mail an original, three copies of the application, and supporting materials. Your application must be received in the WREI office by May 18, 2008 - faxed or late applications will not be considered.

When are decisions made?
Final decisions are made sometime around August each year.

Why a Women's Policy Fellowship?
The WREI Fellowships are designed to train women as potential leaders in public policy formation and to examine issues from the perspective and experiences and needs of women. This unique legislative program is administered by WREI, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization located in Washington, DC, and is the only fellowship program directed by, for, and about women.

What are the Selection Criteria?
Fellows are selected on the basis of academic competence as well as their demonstrated interest in the public policy process. They must be articulate and adaptable and have strong writing skills. WREI Fellows come from a wide range of academic fields, e.g., medicine, law, nursing, art, science, history, women's studies, and business administration.

WREI seeks diversity in its fellowship program and welcomes qualified applicants of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, experience, and academic fields.