Summer Associate Program
Spend the Summer Honing Your Leadership Skills
We offer an intensive 10-week training program for college students and early-career leaders who want to gain real-world policy experience and who want to invest in their professional growth. Summer Associates learn about issues impacting California and the nation through first hand-experience and training.
The Experience
Developing Leadership Skills for Systemic Change
Summer Associates are passionate thought leaders who not only envision an equitable and just future for communities of color; but who also have a deep personal connection to our mission.
Each Summer Associate experience is uniquely tailored based on the policy focus of their program area.
As a Summer Associate you will:
- Receive regular mentorship, professional and personal skill development
- Participate in leadership and policy skills workshops
- Attend conferences and meetings with key stakeholders, and conduct site visits to community organizations, government and corporate entities
- Conduct research, write reports, and publish blogs
- Testify at key policy hearings and participate in meetings with top government officials, elected officials, private sector CEOs and non-profit leaders
- Present research findings and projects in both a written and oral capstone report at the end of the program
Apply For the Program
Apply for the Program
The application for the 2026 Summer Associate program will open on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Interested in applying? Fill out our interest form.
To learn more about the Fellowship program click here. Questions? Email us at academy@greenlining.org.
Program Dates: The program starts on Monday, June 8, 2026 and concludes on Friday, August 14, 2026.
Summer Associate Testimonials
“What made the Leadership Academy so impactful to my career trajectory was the opportunity to authentically engage in policy work rooted in equity and community.”
Amanda Pantoja
Former Summer AssociateFrequently Asked Questions
The Summer Associate role is an inclusive, intensive 10-week training program. To ensure an equitable process, we cannot accept late applications. We recommend doing your best to submit your materials well in advance of the deadline.
Together with our policy team staff, we review and evaluate every complete application. The top candidates are selected to participate in the interview process, which generally occurs 2-5 weeks after the application closing date. We select and notify participants in April or earlier.
Once selected, Summer Associates will be asked to complete a W-9 Form with your social security or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to offer Leadership Academy participants housing or relocation stipends. If selected to join the either program, our team will provide a list of housing resources and help participants find temporary housing in the Bay Area by connecting them to our networks.
Each year, the Leadership Academy selects between 5 and 10 individuals to participate in the Summer Associate program. The size of each cohort is contingent upon our programmatic goals and resources available.
Unfortunately, we do not offer visa sponsorship for international applicants.
The Summer Associate program is an intensive 10-week professional development program. We ensure that each associate has various opportunities to explore equity-based research and advocacy opportunities.
On any given day, associates can find themselves working on a group project, writing a policy memo, meeting with community stakeholders, or participating in a workshop. This is an intensive, 10-week program and Summer Associates are expected to work from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Applicants may only apply to either the Fellowship or the Summer Associate program–not both.
Please note: you may only apply to ONE of the Summer Associate positions. We encourage you to take the time to think about which role best aligns with your interests before you begin the application.
The Fellowship and the Summer Associate programs will follow a hybrid model that is primarily in-person with remote work flexibility. Participants will need to reside within traveling distance to The Greenlining Institute’s office in downtown Oakland for the duration of the program.
The Summer Associate 2026 program application will open on Thursday, January 8, 2026 and close on Friday, February 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST. Interested in applying in 2026? Fill out our interest form.
Each Summer Associate is paid a stipend of $1,200 every two weeks during the 10-week program.
Program participants will be required to submit a W9 at the beginning of the program.