The ACMER Leadership Development Program provides undergraduate students and emerging professionals with hands-on experience in Congressional offices and advocacy organizations.
The Leadership Development program focuses on cultivating and supporting the next generation of MENA-American leaders and those who have demonstrated an interest in MENA-related human rights, foreign policy, and public service.
Through structured training, mentorship, and hands-on experience, the program equips participants with the skills, networks, and policy fluency needed to translate values into real-world impact. The program is designed to expand access, strengthen leadership skills, and build a long-term pipeline of values-drive leaders working where policy and power intersect.
Please note that the summer internship priority deadline has passed as of April 19, 2026. All applications submitted after April 19 are not guaranteed review and will be assessed on a rolling basis. Fall Internship and Graduate Fellowship applications will open later this month. Please check back for updates.
Date posted: April 2, 2026
Deadline: Priority deadline is April 19, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT. Applications submitted after April 19 will be considered on a rolling basis.
Compensation: $5,000 stipend
The American Committee for Middle East Rights (ACMER) is pleased to launch its inaugural Leadership Development Program (LDP), a paid internship for undergraduate students and recent graduates. ACMER strongly encourages applications from individuals of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent, as well as those with a demonstrated interest in MENA-related foreign policy, human rights, and national security. The LDP places participants in congressional offices and NGOs working on foreign policy, human rights, and national security. Students receive hands-on experience and direct exposure to the policymaking processes that define U.S. foreign policy.
Over the course of the summer, interns will work in congressional offices or DC-based NGOs where they will gain direct insight into the legislative and advocacy processes that drive U.S. foreign policy. Alongside their placements, ACMER offers structured professional development sessions and networking events designed to strengthen leadership skills and expand professional networks. The program aims to equip students with the tools and connections needed to launch careers on Capitol Hill and in the broader policy and advocacy community.
Program Objectives
Program Details
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are currently enrolled as rising juniors or rising seniors in a full-time undergraduate program or recently graduated from their undergraduate program. While the LDP welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, it strongly encourages individuals of MENA descent, as well as those with demonstrated interest in MENA-related foreign policy, national security, or human rights. Candidates should ideally be pursuing degrees in international affairs, political science, law, or a related field, and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Preference will be given to applicants who reside in or attend school within the districts of participating congressional offices.
Application Procedure
To apply, please visit the application form where you will be asked to answer four short-answer questions, and upload a copy of your resume (2 pages max), a list of 2-3 references, and an unofficial transcript no later than 11:59pm PT on Sunday, April 19. Any applications submitted after April 19 will be considered on a rolling basis. You will be asked to indicate your placement preferences (please select any you’re interested in): Democratic, Republican, or Independent congressional office, or a DC-based NGO. Only completed applications submitted through this link will be considered. Please do not apply through LinkedIn or other job sites. No calls, please.
Selection Timeline
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview by early May. Selected interns will then go through a host placement process and should expect to be available for additional interviews with host offices or organizations in April or May. All selected interns should expect to attend a mandatory virtual orientation during the week of May 25. We will make every effort to notify all applicants of their status.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, ACMER will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. For assistance – such as an alternative application format, auxiliary aids, or interview modifications – please contact ACMER Senior Program Manager Gabriella Lewis at gabriella@acmer.us. ACMER is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
If you have any further questions, please reach out at ldp@acmer.us.
Download a PDF version of the job description here.
Interested in our fall internship or graduate fellowship? We’d love to hear from you. Please contact Senior Program Manager Gabriella Lewis at gabriella.lewis@acmer.us or send us a message below.