The summer 2008 Ronald Reagan Fellowship program application deadline has passed. We will begin accepting applications for fall 2008 shortly.

Frequently Asked Questions | Application

We've been blessed with the opportunity to stand for something, for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these things are worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to.
-- President Ronald Reagan, speech to the Conservative Political Action Committee, March 8, 1985

The Ronald Reagan Fellows Program

An important part of the Goldwater Institute's mission is to equip young people with the knowledge and skills required to advance the free market ideals championed by President Reagan. Each year, the Institute pursues this goal by offering college students and recent graduates the opportunity to participate in the Ronald Reagan Fellows Internship Program.

The program was named in honor of the late President Ronald Reagan, a recipient of the Barry Goldwater Award for his incomparable leadership and commitment to human freedom. According to the program's founder, Mr. Dean Riesen, "It is a tribute to President Reagan's faith in future generations and will help those generations carry on the great work he began."

Through policy research, staff mentoring, seminar attendance, event participation and administrative assistance, Ronald Reagan Fellows gain a foundational understanding of the classical liberal principles that shaped Reagan's presidency. They also gain first-hand knowledge of how those principles relate to current public policy, and how organizations like the Goldwater Institute shape public policy at both local and national levels.

Fellows are selected each fall, spring and summer semester for full-time participation in the program. A minimum of 30 hours per week is considered full-time; part-time applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The program offers a modest stipend. 

To ensure exposure to both classical liberal principles and the operational aspects of a public policy research organization, Fellows engage in a broad range of activities rather than work on a single project for the duration of the program. Fellows do, however, have the opportunity to identify areas of particular interest, and every effort is made to pair individuals with relevant projects and staff members.

Specific responsibilities include, but are not necessarily limited to: research, reception, event setup and staffing, administrative tasks, and other support functions as needed. Fellows may also have the opportunity to write and publish work they have authored, or co-authored with a Goldwater Institute staff member.

Fellows participate in a number of activities designed to enhance familiarity with classical liberal principles, research organizations and public policy leaders. Fellows are expected to join in-house lunch-and-learn sessions with Institute scholars, and present findings of their own research to Institute staff. Additionally, Fellows have opportunities to network at public policy events and guest speaker forums.

Many Goldwater Institute interns have chosen to attend graduate school to study law, economics, or public policy. Others have gone on to assume policy research positions in the nation's capitol. The Institute has also hired interns as full-time employees. You can read more about one current Institute employee who began her career in our internship program.

If you have already completed at least one year of law school, you may apply to the Goldwater Institute clerkship and externship program at the Goldwater Institute's Scharf-Norton Center for Constitutional Litigation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What types of activities do Fellows participate in?

A. In addition to providing ongoing administrative and research support, Fellows will have an opportunity to participate in lunch-and-learn seminars, attend local events, meet and network with public policy leaders, and receive staff mentoring. With guidance from a Goldwater Institute policy analyst, Fellows may also carry out an individual research project.

Q. What can Fellows expect to gain from participation in the Ronald Reagan Fellows Internship Program?

A. The goal of the program is to expose students to both classical liberal principles and the operational aspects of a public policy research organization. Fellows can expect to gain a foundational understanding of the principles that shaped Ronald Reagan's presidency, as well as how those principles relate to current public policy, and how research organizations advance public policy at both the local and national levels.

Q. What types of jobs do Fellows tend to move on to following participation in the Ronald Reagan Fellows Internship Program?

A. Many Goldwater Institute interns have chosen to attend graduate school to study law, economics or public policy. Others have gone on to assume public policy research positions in the nation's capitol. The Institute has also hired interns as full-time employees. You can read more about one current Institute employee who began her career in our internship program.

Q. Who qualifies for participation in the program?

A. Applicants should be college juniors or seniors, graduate students or recent graduates, although exceptions may be made. Individuals should be able to work at least three full days per week; exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis. Both domestic and international applications will be considered, however, overseas applicants must possess authorization to live and work in the United States.

Q. What qualities do you look for in an ideal applicant?

A. Successful applicants will demonstrate: 1) An active interest in public policy; 2) Strong intellectual aptitude; 3) Eagerness to work cooperatively and supportively with others; 4) Exceptional judgment and integrity; 5) An appreciation for the free enterprise system and constitutionally limited government; and 6) An interest in learning how to advance free market principles.

Q. Does participation carry a stipend?

A. Yes. Fellows earn a modest stipend based on fellowship duration and hours worked.

Q. What are the deadlines for submission of application materials?

A. We have a March 14th deadline for Spring 2008, but the spots fill quickly so candidates are urged to submit their applications early.

Q. What are the required application materials?

A. Applicants should review the Application Process section below and submit all required material.

Q. What is the process following submission of application materials?

A. All applicants will receive acknowledgement that their materials have arrived, and those selected for further consideration will be contacted directly by Institute staff to arrange a telephone or in-person interview.

Q. What do you mean by "full-time" participation in the program?

A. Fellows are expected to work a minimum of 30 hours per week at the Institute during the spring and fall semesters. During the summer, however, only applicants who are available to work a normal 40 hour per week staff schedule will be considered. Participation in the program is typically for the duration of a semester: fall (August-December), spring (January-May), or summer (Late May through Mid-August). Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Q. Who should I contact if I am having difficulty with the application process, or have questions regarding the Ronald Reagan Fellows Internship Program that are not addressed on this website?

A. Questions should be directed to Starlee Rhoades.

Application

Application Procedure

The Goldwater Institute seeks college juniors and seniors, graduate students and recent graduates to participate in the Ronald Reagan Fellows Internship Program. Applicants should be able to work full-time, which constitutes a minimum of 30 hours each week; part-time applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Both domestic and international applicants are encouraged to apply, however, overseas applicants must possess authorization to live and work in the United States. Due to competition for the limited number of fellowships offered on a rolling basis each semester, the Institute encourages early application.

Applicants best-suited for the program will possess eagerness to work and learn, exceptional judgment and personal integrity. Although the Institute does not expect Fellows to enter the program with a thorough grounding in classical liberal thought, it does seek applicants who demonstrate an active interest in public policy and an appreciation for the free enterprise system.

Individuals interested in applying for the Ronald Reagan Fellows Program should submit the following:

• Cover letter explaining interest and availability
• Resume
• Two or three references

Please also send short answers (200 words maximum) to the following three questions:

1. What do you think is the proper role of government in a free society, and how did you arrive at this view?
2. What book, speech, event or similar item has been most influential in your philosophical development?
3. What do you hope to gain from participating in the Goldwater Institute's Ronald Reagan Fellows Internship Program?

Materials should be sent to:
Starlee Rhoades
The Goldwater Institute
500 East Coronado Road
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Materials may also be sent via e-mail to Starlee Rhoades, or via fax to (602) 256-7045. No phone calls please. All applicants will be informed when their application materials are received, and those whom the Institute wishes to consider will be invited to interview either in person or over the telephone.

Applicants who have questions regarding the program or application process should first visit FAQ's about the Ronald Reagan Fellows Internship Program. Further questions may be directed to Starlee Rhoades.