The 2nd Open Call for FLAD Legislative Internships is now open. This program, designed by FLAD for young Americans of Portuguese Ancestry – aged 18 to 25 -, is now enlarged to support seven internships at the offices of Portuguese-American elected officials in the United States Congress, and at State Senate and House of Representatives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

At FLAD, our aim is to strengthen the ties between Portugal and the United States. And that is only possible if the new generation of Portuguese-Americans becomes the linchpin that furthers the relationship between our countries.

FLAD Legislative Internships is an opportunity for the new generation of Portuguese-Americans to actively participate in the legislative process, gain first-hand experience of work in public office and engage in the promotion of the Portuguese-American community in the United States.

After the great work done by last year’s interns – Carley, Kyle, Mathew, and Nicole -, this year we are very happy to welcome US Congresswoman Lori Trahan, US Congressman David Valadao, State Representative David T. Vieira, and State Representative Joseph J. Solomon Jr. to this initiative. This will allow us to increase to up to seven the number of interns we can select, whom shall have an interest in public service and a high academic record in any field of study.

These are paid, in-person internships, with the goal of providing to the selected candidates first-hand experience of the legislative process and knowledge about local and federal government. In addition, the internships will give interns tools to develop their leadership skills and boost their careers.

Interns selected to Capitol Hill vacancies will be expected to commit to a schedule of 30 to 40 hours/week during 10-12 weeks, and will receive a stipend of 2,000 USD. FLAD will cover accommodation expenses if interns are required to relocate during the internship period (up to 560 USD/ week). Those selected to a State Senate or State House internship, will receive a stipend of 1,500 USD and are expected to commit to a working schedule of 15 to 20 hours/ week during 10-12 weeks.

Internships will happen between May and August – varies depending on the internship office – with flexible starting date, length and working schedule.

You may intern in one of the following offices:

  • Congressman Jim Costa (US House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.);
  • Congresswoman Lori Loureiro Trahan (US House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.);
  • Congressman David Valadao (US House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.);
  • State Senator Michael J. Rodrigues (Massachusetts State Senate);
  • State Representative David T. Vieira (Massachusetts State House);
  • State Senator Jessica de La Cruz (Rhode Island State Senate);
  • State Representative Joseph J. Solomon Jr. (Rhode Island State House);

The call is open until March 10, 2023, 11:59 PM, Pacific Time / March 11, 2023, 2:59 AM.

Applications must be submitted through the online form available here: https://flad.secure.force.com/CandidaturaMain?language=en.

To know the full requirements to apply for this call, please read the notice of this program carefully, which is available through this link.

For more information, please send us an email to miguel.vaz@flad.pt.