Institute of Politics

  • Internships & Careers
  • Academic Year Internships

With a cohort of about 50 total interns each year, IOP Academic-Year Internships offer hands-on experience with organizations around Chicago.

The IOP has two academic year internship programs: ACE (Activism and Community Engagement) and UPReP (Urban Policy and Research Program, in conjunction with the Urban Labs). Through ACE, students are paired with Chicago-area organizations in the advocacy and nonprofit sector. Through UPReP, students work with Chicago and Illinois government agencies.

About Academic Year Internships

Through both programs, students are awarded a $2,500 stipend to support their placement in an internship. Interns work a total of 160 total hours between November 1st and May 26th. Students will average 7 hours per week, but specifics will be managed by respective employer partners and their interns. Students will be required to visit their employer location in person at least once per month.

The 2022-2023 application closed on October 10th, 2022.

Students submit one application and can opt in to ACE, UPReP, or both programs. After applications close, IOP staff will match a small group of students with each employer partner for interviews. Each employer will conduct interviews and select a student they would like to bring on for the year. The IOP will handle the matching process, and an interview does not guarantee a placement.

Our 2022-23 ACE organizations include: Advance Illinois, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Blackroots Alliance, Chicago Votes, Disability Lead, Genesys, HANA Center, Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights, Illinois Justice Project, Illinois Policy Institute, JusticeText, Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, League of Women Voters, LiftUp Enterprises, One Million Degrees, Partnership for College Completion, People's Action Institute, Reform for Illinois, Southside Together Organizing for Power, Sunrise Movement, Young Invincibles, and Hope Chicago.

Our 2022-23 UPReP agencies include: Chicago Public Schools - Board of Education Liaison, Chicago Public Schools - Chief Education Office, City of Chicago - Office of Budget and Management, City of Chicago - Department of Planning and Development (The Chicago Recovery Plan), City of Chicago - Planning Office, City of Chicago - Treasurer's Office, Illinois Department of Human Services - Division of Mental Health, Illinois Department of Human Services - Education Team, City of Chicago Mayor's Office - Chief of Staff, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Chicago State University, City Colleges of Chicago, City of Chicago Mayor's Office of Public Safety, Cook County Medical Examiner's Office, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Cook County State Attorney's Office, US Environmental Protection Agency, and the Illinois Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

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