Scholarship Overview
Program Overview
The Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program 2027 is a paid, semester-long experiential fellowship that places selected students with the Delaware General Assembly. Established in 1982 and managed by the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration, the program connects the research capacity of UD and Delaware State University with the practical research needs of state legislators.
Fellows perform nonpartisan, in-depth research to assist legislators and legislative staff while simultaneously enrolling in a three-credit seminar titled State Government: Management and Policy. This structure allows participants to integrate hands-on legislative experience with formal academic coursework.
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Program Benefits
This fellowship offers several concrete advantages for students pursuing careers in government, public policy, or public administration:
- Paid fellowship experience — Compensation for work performed during the legislative session
- Direct legislative exposure — Work alongside legislators, legislative staff, and state committees
- Professional networking — Build relationships with government officials and community leaders
- Academic credit — Three-credit seminar connecting practical experience to policy theory
- Structured transportation — Vanpool service from UD’s Newark campus to Dover on work days
Program Structure and Schedule
The 2027 fellowship runs from January 12 to June 30, 2027. Fellows work on-site in Dover on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout this period.
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Orientation: Conducted during the first full week of January 2027.
Weekly Schedule:
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- Vanpool departs UD campus at 11:00 a.m.
- Work day in Dover
- Return to campus at 6:30 p.m.
This Tuesday-Thursday schedule allows Fellows to maintain other coursework while gaining substantial hands-on experience.
Eligibility Requirements
The program maintains specific academic and institutional requirements:
- Enrollment status: Full-time master’s degree students OR especially qualified junior- or senior-level undergraduate students
- Minimum GPA: 3.4 or higher
- Institutional affiliation: Must be enrolled at University of Delaware or Delaware State University (partnering universities)
- Interest areas: Strong demonstrated interest in legislative process, government, or public policy analysis
- Skills: Strong writing abilities essential for legislative memoranda and research products
Typical academic backgrounds include public administration, public policy, political science, sociology, urban affairs, communications, international relations, criminal justice, history, economics, and business administration.
Application Process
The selection process involves four distinct stages:
Stage 1: Application and Supporting Documents
Submit materials following the Legislative Fellows Application Guide:
- Legislative Fellows Program Application (online form)
- Recommendation forms (online and printable versions available)
- Department Chair/Program Director Confidential Comments (online form)
- Permission Form for Research Assistants (where applicable)
Stage 2: Timed Writing Exercise
A one-hour virtual timed-writing exercise simulates actual duties Fellows perform at Legislative Hall. Held on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus on the same day applications are due. Applicants must RSVP to Program Manager Lisa Moreland Allred prior to the exercise date.
Stage 3: Initial Interview
An informal 30-minute interview with Program Manager Lisa Moreland Allred to discuss academic background, professional experience, and program interest.
Stage 4: Panel Interview
A formal 15-minute panel interview with the program manager and legislative staff members who serve as Fellows’ supervisors in Dover.
Work Responsibilities
Fellows engage in substantive legislative support activities:
- Conducting nonpartisan, in-depth research on policy issues
- Staffing legislative committees
- Preparing policy memoranda for legislators
- Supporting legislative staff on active bills and initiatives
Recent research topics have included criminal justice reform, healthcare policy, government accountability and transparency, and women’s rights.
For African Applicants: Practical Considerations
This program presents specific constraints for applicants from Zimbabwe and the SADC region:
- Institutional limitation: Only students currently enrolled at University of Delaware or Delaware State University may apply. This excludes direct applications from African universities.
- Enrollment pathway: Prospective applicants would need to secure admission to one of these two institutions first, then apply for the fellowship.
- Visa implications: International students on F-1 visas should verify work authorization for paid fellowship positions with their university’s international student services office.
- Timing: The January-June fellowship aligns with the U.S. academic spring semester, which differs from Southern Hemisphere academic calendars.
Students already enrolled at UD or Delaware State, or those considering graduate study at these institutions, should evaluate this opportunity alongside other funding sources.
Contact and Resources
Program Manager: Lisa Moreland Allred, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware
Contact information and full program details are available through the Institute for Public Administration website.