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Baucus Leaders

The Baucus Leaders program is directly inspired by Max Baucus’ 36 years of service as a U.S. senator for Montana. Every summer we place exceptional undergraduate and graduate students in internships at senate and congressional offices in Washington DC.

Since 2018, Baucus Leaders have worked for Senator Steve Daines (R–MT), Senator Jon Tester (D–MT), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Senator Charles Grassley (R–IA), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–NY), Senator Chuck Schumer (D–NY), Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and the United States Senate Finance Committee, among others.

Each internship starts on or around June 1 and ends on or around August 1. Baucus Leaders are given a $5,000 stipend to defray the costs of airfare to and from Washington, D.C., housing, and food during the two-month internship.

Qualifications

The Baucus Leaders program is open to all current Montana Tribal Colleges, University of Montana, and Montana State University undergraduate and graduate students. Leaders are selected based on academic performance, commitment to public service, and interest in environmental policy and climate issues. Leaders must also be in good academic standing at the time of applying and continue to be enrolled as full-time students during the fall semester after their internship. Students from BIPOC, LGBTQ+2S, and under-resourced communities are highly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Applications for Summer 2023 will be available in Fall of 2022. A complete application includes the following:

  • A current curriculum vitae
  • An academic transcript showing grades through the most recent semester for which final grades are available. Graduate students should also send a transcript for their undergraduate studies.
  • An essay of no more than 500 words about why you want to be a Baucus Leader, your commitment to/interest in public service, and how you believe you will contribute to the program and to the office where you will intern.
  • One letter of recommendation from a person who can speak with personal knowledge about your character and commitment to public service.

*Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Selection Process

The Institute will select two to three finalists for each internship. Finalists will be notified by email of their selection in late January or early February. The Baucus Leader for each placement will be selected by the DC office. There is NO guarantee that the congressional office or agency will interview finalists in making this determination. A finalist may be required to submit additional application materials to that office.