2025-26 Capital Fellows Programs

FELLOWSHIPS

Assembly Fellowship Program

The California State Assembly Fellowship Program, founded in 1957, is one of the nation's oldest and most prestigious legislative fellowship programs. In 1987, the program was renamed the Jesse Marvin Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program to honor California's former Assembly Speaker and State Treasurer. This unique program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to directly participate in the legislative process. Each year, 18 individuals are selected to participate in the program. The 11-month fellowship provides an introduction to public policy formation and adoption in the California Legislature through full-time work as a professional legislative staff member.

The Assembly Fellowship Program is co-sponsored by the California State Assembly and California State University, Sacramento, through the Center for California Studies. Assembly Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $2,794, as well as medical, dental and vision benefits.

California Senate Fellows Program

Established in 1973, the California Senate Fellows (CSF) program is one of the oldest and most distinguished service learning programs in the country. The CSF program grew out of a desire to provide people with insight into the legislative process through experiential learning. It offers college graduates a paid, full-time legislative staff position in the State Capitol for 11 months. The fellowship program's primary goals include exposing people with diverse life experiences and backgrounds to the legislative process by providing research and other professional staff assistance to the Senate. The CSF program is jointly sponsored by the California State Senate and the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento. Fellows receive a monthly stipend of $2,794 plus full health, vision and dental benefits. They also earn 6 units of graduate credit from the Sacramento State Political Science Department.

Executive Fellowship Program

The Executive Fellowship Program is sponsored by the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) and the Office of the Governor to provide an experiential learning opportunity in California state government. California’s executive branch is one of the most dynamic in the United States.  Executive Fellows function as full-time professional staff in executive offices at various levels of California’s executive branch which includes the office of the governor, constitutional offices, cabinet secretaries, commissions and departments.

Judicial Fellowship Program

The Judicial Fellowship Program is administered by the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento (Sacramento State) and in partnership with the Judicial Council of California. All persons with a four-year college degree, including recent graduates and mid-career applicants are eligible to apply. Successful applicants demonstrate a commitment to public service and an interest in the administration of justice in the California court system. Ten fellows are accepted into the ten-month program, which begins in September of each year.

As employees of California State University, fellows earn a monthly stipend of $2,794 and receive health, dental and vision benefits.

Dates & deadlines

• September: Capital Fellows Programs applications will open
• December 8, 2024 (11:59 PM PST): Capital Fellows Programs application deadline
• February: Capital Fellows Programs interviews in late February
• March: Capital Fellows Programs interviews in early March.
• March: Notification of acceptance will be sent late March
• September/October: Program orientation begins in Sacramento. (Judicial and Executive Fellows begin in September. Senate and Assembly Fellows begin in October.)