Note: We currently expect the program to be able to take place in person in Washington, DC. However, our team will be following developments in the COVID-19 pandemic closely and will take necessary precautions to ensure the safety of participants.
Washington, DC
June 3 – August 7, 2021
$2,500 living stipend + housing + reimbursement for travel to DC
Note: All applicants must also submit a separate application for the AEI Summer Honors Program at this link before the Early Decision Deadline of January 4.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Program Components
Summer Honors Program: All students will participate in a one-week course through the 2021 AEI Summer Honors Program.
Internship: A core component of the program is a summer-long, DC-based internship. The Faith & Public Life team will assist students throughout the application process, especially for internship positions at AEI or partner organizations. However, students must apply separately for these positions (even those at AEI) and are ultimately responsible for securing their own internship at least three weeks before the program begins.
Christian community: A unique feature of this program is its focus on intentional Christian community. We think this is especially valuable in cities like DC, where the stresses of work, achievement, and isolation are all too common. To cultivate this community, students will be housed together and have frequent group gatherings, as well as several excursions to notable locations in the DC area.
Roundtable discussions: Students will meet on seven occasions over the course of the summer to share meals and discuss readings with the Faith & Public Life team. Selected readings span literature, political philosophy, theology, and poetry, and topics that will be covered include: Christian work and calling, achievement and failure, and Christian participation in politics and secular society.
Mentorship: Each student will be paired with a mentor to meet 2-3 times over the course of the summer. Mentors are hand-picked professionals in our network, who work in a sector of interest to each individual student.
Questions?
Contact the Initiative on Faith & Public Life team at [email protected].
2020 Summer Associates Program: Inaugural Class
From left to right, including their summer internship placement
Katherine Cvancara, George Fox University, 2020
Institute on Religion and Democracy
Caitlyn Aversman, John Brown University, 2022
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration
Brett Bauman, Wheaton College, 2022
American Enterprise Institute – Latin America Studies
Seth Billingsley, John Brown University, 2021
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Collin Slowey, Baylor University, 2021
American Enterprise Institute – Initiative on Faith & Public Life
Beth Butler, Baylor University, 2021
Ethics & Public Policy Center – Faith Angle Forum
Mary Kathryn Daigle, Wheaton College, 2021
Center for Public Justice
Pat McNamara, Taylor University, 2020
Office of US Rep. Lauren Underwood
Mikael Good, Patrick Henry College, 2020
The Trinity Forum
Eligibility
- Applicants must be a rising junior, senior, or recent graduate.
- Applicants must also apply to the Summer Honors Program before the early decision deadline on January 4, 2021.
- International students are eligible.
Application Instructions
- The Summer Honors Program application requires a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, three short answer responses, and one letter of recommendation. The application can be found at this link.
- In addition to the Summer Honors Program application, students must submit two 500-1,000 word essays: 1) The first essay must describe why you would like to participate in the Summer Associates Program, including: why you would like to spend the summer working in Washington, DC; how this program fits into your future plans; and why the financial support that this program provides would be particularly beneficial to you. 2) The second essay must describe your views on the role of Christians in contemporary politics and society. Why should Christians be actively involved in public life and what does faithful engagement entail?
