June 1 – August 7, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C. (In-Person)
Focus Areas: Leadership Development • Professional Development • Personal Enrichment
For more than 35 years, the OCA National Center has hosted one of the nation’s longest-running internship programs dedicated to empowering college students passionate about advancing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. The 2026 cohort continues this legacy, offering hands-on experience in public service, advocacy, leadership, and policy engagement in the nation’s capital.
→ Applications for the 2026 program are now open.
Priority Deadline: November 30, 2025 (11:59 PM PT)
Final Deadline: January 5, 2026 (11:59 PM PT)
Program Overview
Celebrating over three decades of impact, the OCA Summer Internship Program seeks to cultivate the next generation of AANHPI leaders. Interns are placed in full-time positions at nonprofits, federal agencies, congressional offices, private sector organizations, and advocacy groups in Washington, D.C.
Throughout the 10-week program, interns engage in:
- Weekly leadership and professional development workshops (“Sama Sama” gatherings)
- Advocacy Day meetings with congressional offices
- The annual OCA National Convention
- APIA-U Leadership Training
- Mentorship and networking opportunities with experienced professionals
- Community events and partner organization programming
Interns build lasting skills, relationships, and confidence while contributing to policy and advocacy efforts that uplift AANHPI communities.
Program Benefits
- $5,250 pre-tax stipend for the full 10 weeks
- Full-time placement (up to 35 hours/week) at a Washington, D.C. host organization
- Travel, lodging, and meals covered for the OCA National Convention in Detroit, MI
- Access to OCA’s extensive professional network
- One-year free OCA membership after completing the internship
- Leadership, advocacy, and career development opportunities
- Hands-on involvement in congressional engagement and national advocacy
- Participation in special programming, networking events, and workshops
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be full-time undergraduate students or recent graduates (within 1 year)
- Have completed at least one year of college by June 2026
- Demonstrate interest in AANHPI issues
- Be willing and able to relocate to Washington, D.C. for the duration of the program
- Have valid work eligibility (U.S. citizens NOT required; DACA/undocumented students must have SSN/ITIN)
- Not be former OCA National Summer Interns
- Not be the child/dependent of OCA National staff, Executive Council members, or Business Advisory Council members
Some placements may require U.S. citizenship.
Program Requirements
Interns must:
- Attend in-person orientation (June 1, 2026)
- Work up to 35 hours/week at their assigned host site
- Participate in mandatory OCA program components:
- Sama Sama weekly leadership workshops
- APIA-U Leadership Training
- OCA National Convention (July 23–26, 2026)
- Advocacy Day meetings on Capitol Hill
- Meet regularly with assigned mentor
- Complete evaluations, exit memo, and adhere to conduct policies
Failure to complete program requirements may result in stipend reduction or removal from the program.
Application Requirements
All applicants must submit the following:
- Professional headshot
- Short bio (PDF, 300 words)
- Resume (PDF, max 2 pages)
- Experiences document (leadership, community service, employment—up to 3 each)
- College transcript (PDF; unofficial accepted)
- One short answer (PDF, 300 words):
How will this internship benefit you? What do you hope to learn and contribute? - Two essays (PDF, 500 words each):
- Issue affecting the AANHPI community
- Reflecting on challenging a belief or idea
- Two references (contact info only; no letters required)
Important Dates
- Priority Deadline: November 30, 2025
- Final Deadline: January 5, 2026
- Program Dates: June 1 – August 7, 2026
- National Convention: July 23–26, 2026 (Detroit, MI)
For more details: Click Here
