Eli J. & Phyllis N. Segal Citizen Leadership Program

Brandeis Segal Fellow Application

Apply to become a Brandeis/Heller Segal Fellow

Applications to become a 2025 Brandeis/Heller Segal Fellow are due by November 10, 2024.

*Get a paid summer internship with a mission-driven organization
*Become a lifelong Fellow with 160 other Brandeis & National Service Alums
*Learn leadership skills with a small cohort & in ongoing opportunities
*Receive coaching & ongoing connections with our Network of partners

Connect with us via:

Check out the details in our Policy/Guidelines Packet, and come to our office hours (October). 

Selection Timeline for Fall 2024 (2025 Fellows)

  • September-November, 2024: Learn More About Segal
    • Segal Fellows in Action Panel 9/26, 12-1pm (SCC 236 or online)
    • 10/9 Hiatt Career Fair
    • Info Sessions with ICC (10/2) and Hiatt (10/17) (drop by anytime between 11:30am-1pm to learn more and enjoy pizza)
  • September 20: 2025 Application released
  • October 7-November 7: Office Hours with Segal Staff (Sign up with Susie; Sign up with Carmela)
  • November 10: Applications DUE by 11:59 pm EST (online only)
  • By 11/26: Round 1 Notifications Sent to Applicants about who is a Finalist
  • Week of 12/2: Interviews for Final Round Candidates
  • Mid-December: Final Selection Notifications  7

Eligibility

Applicants must be current Brandeis University or Heller School for Social Policy and Management students. Undergraduates must be rising juniors and seniors from any academic program; we also accept applications from 4+1 seniors who will be back at Brandeis next Fall. Graduate students must be enrolled in Heller's Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program. To be eligible, applicants must be available the summer of their Fellowship year for an internship and continuing their studies at the University in the following fall (study abroad is allowed).

Additionally, students in the Transitional Year Program entering their 4th year and dual MPP/MBA candidates are welcome to apply.

In order to be eligible for this Fellowship, we will be checking conduct records. The presence of a record will not automatically eliminate you from the process, but please be prepared to address any concerns in your application and/or interview.

Click here for more information about our Segal Fellows.

Citizen Leader Summer Internships

Once fellows are selected, the Segal Program will work with Segal Fellows to secure mission-driven summer internships in the U.S. Eight-week, or longer, Segal Summer Internships must be at structured, supervised organizations that provide an opportunity to participate in meaningful work. Host organizations can be in any sector, including government, nonprofit or for-profit, that are committed to making a positive impact on society through their work. Examples of this include direct service, policy, advocacy and/or public-private partnerships. Segal Fellows can intern in any field, including health, youth development, racial justice, immigration, scientific research, business, economic issues, the environment, economic equality, LGBTQIA+ advocacy, technology, the arts, and education. The common link between our host organizations is a commitment to bettering society. Sites are often located in Boston, New York City and Washington, D.C., with other cities available. If circumstances arise that make in-person internships unsafe, then virtual internship opportunities will be given.

The Segal Program Staff coordinate with Citizen Leader internship sites to provide meaningful experiences to help Segal Fellows develop their Citizen Leadership skills and capacities. A full list of previous internship sites can be found under "Necessary Resources" below and includes all pertinent details about the Segal Citizen Leader Summer Internships and application process timeline. 

The Segal Program awards a $7,000 stipend to graduate students and $5,500 to Brandeis undergraduates, unless Fellows choose to be paid directly by their host organization. The purpose of the stipends is to defray the cost of living during the internship period. The Segal Program does not request a budget on how the stipend will be spent, however it is expected that it will be used for expenses such as travel, lodging, food, bills and any other needs during the summer. Stipends are supported by a fund established by the friends and family of Eli J. and Phyllis N. Segal.  All stipends will be provided directly from Brandeis University. The student is responsible for using the living stipend to book any travel or attain summer housing.

New Segal Fellows will be paired with individual Segal Buddies (peer mentors) to assist recipients during their internship experiences and with Citizen Leadership development. New fellows will be expected to communicate with Segal Buddies (and later Segal Advisors) per an agreement between the Segal Fellow and Segal Coach/Buddy. This may include, but is not limited to, in-person meetings, emails, and phone calls.

Entrance into Segal Network

All recipients of this Citizen Leader internship opportunity also become lifelong Segal Fellows in the Segal Network, which supports its Segal Fellows by providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, networking and Citizen Leadership development.

The Segal Citizen Leadership Network includes 155 Segal Fellows, ranging in age from early twenties to mid-forties, who live in 17 states and 3 continents who support each other in their efforts to advance social justice. Segal Fellows come into the Program through Brandeis University, the Corporation for National and Community Service’s AmeriCorps Alums and City Year. The Network also includes many of the Segal Founders who helped to create and sustain the Segal Program as well as others who have joined to contribute expertise and resources to support the development of the next generation of Citizen Leaders. Segal Fellows assume leadership roles within the Segal Program to help ensure the Program is continuously improving and being sustained for future generations of Segal Fellows.

Click here for more information about the Segal Network

Please send questions to Director Susanna Flug-Silva at flugsilva@brandeis.edu or 781-736-3933, or to Assistant Director Carmela Belizaire at carmelajmb@brandeis.edu or 781-736-3729. 

KEY Resources for Fall 2024


Please reach out to Susanna Flug-Silva (flugsilva@brandeis.edu) or Carmela Belizaire (carmelajmb@brandeis.edu) with any questions.

Informational sessions are available here, otherwise, complete our interest form