Program Duration: Dates TBD

Location: CLA will be an in-person, full-time program (5 days per week)

Time Commitment: Each intern commits to and receives a full-time internship experience (about 40 hours per week). Hours vary per Host Office Placement.

Stipend: Each intern will receive a $5,000 stipend upon satisfactory completion of the program.

Applications will open Fall 2026. Please sign this interest form if your interested in applying for the 2027 CLA Program.

 INTERN QUALIFICATIONS

ALL CLA APPLICANTS MUST:

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0

• Be a current student with at least one year of college completed or a recent college graduate by the program start (Class of 2026)

• Be able to attend and actively participate in all mandatory events

APPLICATION COMPONENTS

APPLICANTS MUST:

1. Complete the CLA Application

2. Upload a PDF version of your Professional Resume

3. Upload a PDF version of your Unofficial School Transcript

4. Have 2 letters of recommendation

5. Compose responses to the questions below for the application form (300 words max per answer):

• Short Response #1: CAUSE's mission is to advance the political and civic empowerment of the API community. Why are you interested in CAUSE and the CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA)? What do you hope to learn or gain from this internship program? What is your interest and/or experience in civic engagement or political campaigns?

• Short Response #2: Describe an experience that has shaped your understanding of community or deepened your passion for addressing an issue impacting the API community. Include specific actions you have taken to address this issue based on that experience.

• Short Response #3: CLA places interns in government facing offices serving the Greater Los Angeles area. This includes government offices and civic engagement nonprofits. Why are you interested in interning at these offices? What experience are you hoping to gain through the internship? 

• Short Response #4: Share an experience that has shaped your approach to leadership. Your experience can be in a formal or informal role (e.g. president of a student organization or oldest sibling).

• Short Response #5: Please share anything else you would like the selection committee to consider

TRANSPORTATION

All interns will be responsible for their own  transportation. Limited flight vouchers may be offered to help with the cost of travel. Interns will be required to commute to and from their Host Office Placement, weekly Civic Leadership Training, mandatory meetings/events, and Civic Engagement Project meetings on an as-needed basis.

HOUSING

Accepted interns are required to secure their own housing in Southern California for the duration of the program.

MEALS

Interns will be responsible for their own meals. CAUSE will provide meals for major program events, such as the Orientation Retreat and the Capitol Summit.