Deadline: June 26, 2026
Applications are open for the CBCF Walmart Emerging Leaders Internship Program 2026. The semester-long Emerging Leaders Internship Program sponsored by Walmart creates a corps of trained, young leaders with the skills, outlook, and contacts necessary to generate and sustain positive change in Washington, D.C. and their local communities.
This program will take place in person from August 22nd to December 13th, 2026. Interns will be placed in various congressional offices, committees, subcommittees, or federal agencies. This program is offered during the fall and spring semesters.
Benefits
- Interns will receive housing, a $4,000 stipend (paid biweekly in increments of $500).
Eligibility
- Interns must have at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Interns must be a college graduate by the start of the Fall program OR must have not graduated with a bachelor’s degree more than 2 years from the internship program start date
- Interns must have U.S. citizenship or a permit to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program (August 22nd to December 13th, 2026)
- Interns must have availability to participate full-time upon acceptance
- Interns cannot yet have obtained a graduate degree
- Interns cannot be actively enrolled in graduate studies
- Interns cannot be enrolled in classes for the duration of the program (in some cases, the program can be used for credit with university approval)
- Interns must have a general familiarity with the federal legislative process, the U.S. Congress, the Congressional Black Caucus and its members, and related policy
- Interns must have superior analytical skills
- Interns must have outstanding oral and written communication skills
Application
The completed online application must be submitted by 11:59 pm ET, June 26, 2026. The following items will be requested through the online application:
- 1 Video Recording in response to a provided prompt (located within the opportunity)
- 1 Essay Question Response (located within the opportunity)
– Choose a social justice policy issue (e.g., criminal justice reform, voting rights, the school-to-prison pipeline, public education, housing, racial discrimination in the workplace, etc.) that you believe is most relevant to the Black community and should be championed by members of the Congressional Black Caucus through legislation. Discuss the current effects of this issue on the Black community and identify specific aspects the legislation should address to create a positive impact. Be sure to cite your sources. (150 words maximum; not including citing; Arial font, size 12, single-spaced) - 2 letters of recommendation; uploaded by applicant (must be uploaded directly to the application portal); letter must be on a formal, professional letterhead and include contact information; pdf format; include recommender’s signature; emailed copies of letters will not be accepted. ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 pm ET, June 26, 2026. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Resume listing extracurricular activities, honors, employment, community service, and specific skills (1-page limit)
- Transcript; unofficial accepted (must be uploaded directly to the application portal)
For more information, visit CBCF Walmart Emerging Leaders Internship.
