Serve Your People, Secure Your Future

Opportunities with NCAI

NCAI offers internships and fellowships to provide an opportunity for young leaders from across Indian Country to serve on the front lines of legislative action and policy development. All interns and fellows are selected through an application and interview process.

NCAI Law & Policy Scholarship: The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is committed to providing American Indian and Alaska Native youth opportunities to assist in their continued development as the next generation of American Indian and Alaska Native leaders and civically engaged citizens of the United States of America. We are fulfilling this vision through the National Congress of American Indians Law & Policy Scholarship.

NCAI’s Law and Policy Scholarship program aims to provide a holistic development opportunity for exceptional American Indian/ Alaska Native students with significant financial need to reach their greatest potential through academic excellence, leadership development, and service. We believe NCAI Scholars have unlimited potential to make significant contributions at their academic institutions, their future careers and as engaged citizens of the United States.

Learn more about the eligibility criteria and application instructions.

The Wilma Mankiller Fellowship Program for Tribal Policy and Governance: The NCAI Wilma Mankiller Fellowship Program for Tribal Policy and Governance Fellowship Program provides an exceptional opportunity for emerging young professionals from across Indian Country to work side by side with national leaders in tribal policy. Applicants must have a college degree or equivalent experience.

Click here for more information.



Click here to apply today.



NCAI Native Graduate Health Fellowship: The NCAI Native Graduate Health Fellowship aims to address the stark disparities in Native health by building a pipeline of Native health professionals who are prepared to lead in formulating and promoting health policies and practices that meet the unique needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Fellowship will include two components: 1) a financial award of $5,000; and 2) professional development in tribal health policy.

Click here for more information and to apply



NCAI Internships: NCAI offers internships on an invitation-only basis for students who are currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning, and are based on NCAI’s current needs. Internships are usually for the length of a semester or summer session. Intern applicants must be able to serve a minimum of 16 hours per week, for a minimum of six weeks to be eligible for invitation. Internships are unpaid, but many schools will offer college credit, and some tribes may be willing to sponsor NCAI interns from their tribe. NCAI will be glad to provide information to your school or tribe to assist in securing credit or financial support for your internship.



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Other Opportunities and Resources

The Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, offers an in-depth list of resources for youth. Established by former North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan, the organizations resources offers resources for youth, tribes, and others. Check out the Center’s Internship and Fellowships resources by visiting their website.

George Washington Native American Political Leadership Program (NAPLP)

The Native American Political Leadership Program (NAPLP) offered by the George Washington University is a full scholarship program designed to give Native American undergraduate and graduate students an incredible educational opportunity in the nation’s capital. Partnering with Semester In Washington Politics, NAPLP students take classes at GW, participate in hands-on internships, and interact with political leaders and policymakers. NAPLP includes a series of seminars devoted to public policy issues affecting Native American communities (American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian). Funded by a generous grant from the AT&T Foundation, NAPLP plays a key role in preparing the next generation of Native American political leaders.

NAPLP offers an invaluable up-close view of Washington, D.C. Students learn how political decisions are made, how power is wielded and how government is run – because they are right in the center of the process. NAPLP is a guided, hands-on tour of the workings of the U.S. government, immersing students in the processes that define our political system.

Learn more about the program.