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A small-class seminar series each Friday. Join us weekly for an intensive training program on issues ranging from trade to foreign policy.

Designed for current interns and junior staff in Washington, D.C. Learn more below.


Applications Open
Foundations runs concurrently with Fellowship in the fall, spring, and summer. Applications considered on a rolling basis.

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FAQs

About

Foundations of American Statecraft is a twelve-week, rigorous educational program designed to give interns already placed in positions in Washington, DC an education in conservative public policy. Those participating in the program will join Fellowship classes to hear speakers each Friday with aligned offices.

This sixty-unit lecture series is designed to forge Washington’s next generation of consequential staffers. Held at our Capitol Hill offices three times a year, each cohort meets weekly throughout twelve Fridays. The series features a myriad of lecturers, including top researchers, organizational leaders, congressional chiefs of staff, Trump Administration alumni, and other conservative luminaries committed to mentorship and national revival.

Why choose this program?

Foundations is the most comprehensive educational curriculum for young staffers deployed in Washington. The program offers an unmatched breadth and depth of content, tailored specifically for conservative professionals at the start of their careers. Our lectures go far beyond surface-level instruction — they are masterclasses in the principles, skills, and political instincts needed to lead. Former sessions include:
  • The Day the World Changed with Stephen K. Bannon on the financial system and the long shadow of the Great Recession
  • Strategic Communications with Michael Connolly on writing for persuasion
  • The Truth About Tariffs with Charles Benoit on the legacy of American protectionism
  • Surveillance, Security, and Sovereignty with Kara Frederick on Big Tech
  • Realpolitik, a Primer with William P. Ruger on conservative realism in foreign policy
  • Congress 101 with James Hampson on the inside workings of Capitol Hill

Partners

Thanks to our partners.

FAQ

Learn more about the program.

Who can apply for Foundations of American Statecraft?
Foundations of American Statecraft is open to any interns who want to learn more about public policy and are familiar with our Ten Priorities. Acceptance into the program is pending approval from both our team and your internship supervisor.

I can’t make it every week. Should I still apply?
We prioritize good attendance, but we recognize that participants in Foundations of American Statecraft are interns first. If you cannot make it every week or must miss some of the sessions due to responsibilities at your internship, we encourage you to still apply for the program.

What is the difference between Foundations and the Fellowship for American Statecraft?
Foundations of American Statecraft participants sit in on Fellowship lectures, but Foundations are not Fellows. Foundations is a supplement to a paid internship. Unlike the Fellowship, we encourage interns who are returning to school after their internship or are still not sure about pursuing full time work in DC to apply.

Application Form