Hill to Hill Program

The Goldfarb Center’s Hill to Hill program enables current Colby students to undertake summer internship experiences in the epicenter of American politics: Washington D.C.  By providing grant support to help cover the costs of things like housing, food, and transportation, the Hill to Hill program places students at the heart of current conversations in public affairs, experiential learning opportunities related to politics, policy, and the press, and skill-building work experiences.

1. Students considering a summer internship experience in Washington D.C. can apply to the Goldfarb Center in late January/early February through a competitive application process to be considered for summer funding as a Hill to Hill fellow.
2. Applicants need not have secured an internship placement offer at the time of application to be considered for funding. The initial application process is an opportunity for applicants to share information about their interests and intentions as well as explain how they believe they will benefit from being selected for a fellowship. Applicants at this stage in the process will be evaluated based on the merits and spirit of their applications. 
3. If selected to be a Hill to Hill fellow, students will be guaranteed to receive full funding to support an in-person D.C.-based summer internship, provided the fellow secured an internship in an area related to politics, policy, and/or journalism. Selected fellows will prepare a supplemental application to determine the final award amount upon securing an internship. The final award amount will be determined on the basis of individual need and whether the internship will be a paid or unpaid experience. Applicants need not have secured an internship placement offer at the time the funding application is due, although evidence of an internship offer must be provided by the deadline for fund disbursement in order to receive the promised funding. 
4. Fellows will work during the Spring semester to identify and secure internships of their own choosing/design along with housing accommodations. Please note the resources available to support with these processes below. 
5. Once an internship is successfully secured, Fellows will prepare a final budget and financial request for their experience
6. The Goldfarb Center awards financial support for the Hill to Hill experience provided all requirements of the funding agreement are met (including such things as providing an offer letter confirming your internship arrangement, and any additional requirements stipulated by DavisConnects)

And find out more about the Hill to Hill Program or get your specific questions answered by:

• Attending an upcoming info session: 
  • Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
  • Time: 7pm-8pm
  • Location: Parker-Reed Room, SSW Alumni Center
  • Snacks: provided!
  • Remote participation option available: please contact Erica Buswell at [email protected] to receive a link to attend the meeting by Zoom. 

• Dropping by office hours: 
  • When: Wednesdays during the application period (February 4, 11, and 18)
  • Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
  • Location: SSW Alumni Center Room 134

• Hill to Hill Fellows application opens: February 4 (First Day of Classes)
• Hill to Hill Fellows application closes: Thursday, February 19 at 11:59 pm EST
• Fellows Selections, Waitlist, and Selection Announcements: Monday, February 23 
• Selected Student Decision Deadline: Thursday, February 26 at 11:59 pm EST
• Goldfarb Center Extends Invitations to Waitlist: Friday, February 27
• Fellows Roster Finalized: Tuesday, March 3
• Funding Applications Due: Thursday, April 2 at 11:59pm EST
• Funding Committee Reviews: April 2-April 16
• Award Notifications: Wednesday, April 22
• Fund Disbursement Requirements (when students have to have finalized their internship offer and have approval from faculty sponsor in order to receive funding): Friday, May 22

A lot of help and support is available to you as you work to make your D.C. internship dream a reality and investigate internship opportunities. Goldfarb staff members are available to help you brainstorm and identify possible internship opportunities within our network of friends and supporters in the greater D.C. area. 

In addition, we encourage prospective Hill to Hill applicants to also consider the following strategies for identifying possibility opportunities:

• Make an appointment to discuss your internship interests and brainstorm ideas with a DavisConnects Career Design Advisor
• Sign-up for the DavisConnects Newsletter to stay informed about internship and job opportunities
• Scan for opportunities on Handshake
• Tap your own professional networks to uncover potential opportunities. This might include talking with alumni, faculty and staff/other contacts you have made on campus, contacts in your home community (especially your legislative representatives), and fellow students with connections in D.C.
• Research places you might like to work in D.C., including NGOs, think tanks, private enterprises, trade associations, etc. Connect with them on social media to stay informed about potential internship opportunities. Pandit Mami, Career Design Advisor and International Politics, Government, and Consulting maintains a job board and database of such employers, many of which are based in the D.C. area 
• Search for and connect specifically with Colby alumni living and working in D.C. through Colby College’s Alumni page on LinkedIn
• Consider purchasing a subscription to Tom Manatos Jobs (approximately $5/month subscription fee)

Washington D.C. has well-developed infrastructure to support student internships, including in the area of housing. Here is a list of potential accommodations in the City and other housing-related resources that specifically cater to interns:

• Washington Intern Student Housing
• Washington Intern Housing Network
• International Student House
• Thompson Markward Hall
• Two Facebook Groups for specific geographies:
  • DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland
  • Arlington area

Other ways that prior Colby students have found housing for internship experiences in D.C. include renting through Airbnb or similar companies like June Homes and Furnished Finder; securing housing through other institutions of higher ed. like American University; talking with friends, family, and prospective co-workers in the area about their knowledge of available options; and good old search terms like “find housing in Washington D.C.” in your browser of choice. 

Reach out to Erica Buswell, [email protected], with any questions or make an appointment to talk.