Fall 2026 Government Relations Fellow (Internship)
Washington, District of Columbia, United States · Hybrid
Entry level
Description Merchant McIntyre & Associates is a midsize federal grants and government relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., that helps nonprofit clients from the higher education, healthcare, and local govern…
Skills: Federal Grant Writing, Legislative Research, Policy Analysis, Written Communication, Oral Communication
Fall 2026 Government Relations Fellow (Internship)
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Internship
bachelor degree, postgraduate degree
Posted 41d ago
~24 hrs/week
Responsibilities
The fellow will track federal legislation, research grant opportunities, and support policy objectives for clients in healthcare and higher education. Responsibilities include compiling briefing materials, attending Capitol Hill meetings, and providing administrative support.
Requirements
Candidates should be recent undergraduates or current graduate students, preferably in public policy or law. Strong research skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work at least 24 hours per week are required.
Full job description
Description
Merchant McIntyre & Associates is a midsize federal grants and government relations firm headquartered in Washington, D.C., that helps nonprofit clients from the higher education, healthcare, and local government sectors reach their federal funding and advocacy goals.
Tracking and researching federal legislation and regulations, including budget proposals and annual appropriations, impacting the firm’s clients by utilizing online databases and news sources, and attending meetings and briefings on Capitol Hill and with Executive agency staff.
Supporting federal grant writing and legislative/policy objectives for the firm’s clients, including researching and identifying federal grant opportunities, reading and synthesizing detailed federal grant documents and procurement regulations, and providing support to the client services team.
Long-term research projects in a variety of issue areas including health care, higher education, economic development, and workforce development.
Compiling reports and client briefing/background materials.
Administrative tasks (scheduling, internal, etc.) and planning and coordinating logistics.
Supporting the business development team as needed.
Requirements
Recent undergraduates or currently enrolled in a graduate degree program; relevant programs (public policy, law, etc.) are preferred.
Strong research skills, keen attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
Prior experience in a relevant field.
Impeccable written and oral communication skills.
Available to work a minimum of 24 hours per week, additional availability preferred.
Application Requirements:
1) Resume
2) In place of a cover letter, please respond to the following prompt: In a city known for its political gridlock, Merchant McIntyre maintains a unique "Commitment to My Co-workers " and engages in results-oriented collaboration. This commitment, combined with our expertise, has enabled us to build an agency of professionals who are hungry, humble, and smart with people. We recruit individuals who possess the “essential virtues” Patrick Lencioni describes in his book The Ideal Team. In 250 words or less, describe how you embody the "essential virtues" of being hungry, humble, and smart with people.
3) Two writing samples (Attach with the above response.)
This is a hybrid role in Washington, DC, and requires in-office attendance on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday, depending on the agreed-upon schedule. Remote candidates will not be considered.
Merchant McIntyre Associates is the leading government relations agency serving nonprofits.
Industry
Government Relations Services
Company size
11-50 employees
Founded
2017
Headquarters
Washington, District Of Columbia
LinkedIn followers
840
The team at Merchant McIntyre & Associates has more than 100 years of combined experience in federal and private grant funding, drafting and tracking legislation, securing regulatory relief, policy development and advocacy, relationship building, and mobilizing grassroots and grasstops campaigns.
We have an established track record of successfully representing and advising educational and research institutions, healthcare organizations, local and state governments, social service and faith-based organizations, businesses and corporations, innovators, and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
When you retain Merchant McIntyre, you hire an entire team of seasoned professionals with decades of senior level experience gained from working in the White House, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, Executive Branch agencies, and government affairs firms. We are an extension of your own staff. We are your boots on the ground. We perform the lion's share of the work.
If you have ever attended a major political event or a government hearing, we were not the people you would have seen at the microphone. We were the people in the back of the room who determined the message, wrote the speeches, and handled all of the follow up.
In short, we got the work done. We know the logistics of Washington, the mechanics and timing of the process, the right doors to open, and the decision-makers to engage. We know how Washington works.
As true partners, we will put Washington to work for you.
Offices: 1440 G Street, NW, Washington, District Of Columbia 20005, US
Competitive and Discretionary Grant FundingFederal Funding and AppropriationsLegislative Strategy and ImplementationIssue Monitoring and Managementand Coalition ManagementAdvocacyLegalConsulting
Merchant McIntyre Associates is the leading government relations agency serving nonprofits.
Industry
Government Relations Services
Company size
11-50 employees
Founded
2017
Headquarters
Washington, District Of Columbia
LinkedIn followers
840
The team at Merchant McIntyre & Associates has more than 100 years of combined experience in federal and private grant funding, drafting and tracking legislation, securing regulatory relief, policy development and advocacy, relationship building, and mobilizing grassroots and grasstops campaigns.
We have an established track record of successfully representing and advising educational and research institutions, healthcare organizations, local and state governments, social service and faith-based organizations, businesses and corporations, innovators, and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
When you retain Merchant McIntyre, you hire an entire team of seasoned professionals with decades of senior level experience gained from working in the White House, the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, Executive Branch agencies, and government affairs firms. We are an extension of your own staff. We are your boots on the ground. We perform the lion's share of the work.
If you have ever attended a major political event or a government hearing, we were not the people you would have seen at the microphone. We were the people in the back of the room who determined the message, wrote the speeches, and handled all of the follow up.
In short, we got the work done. We know the logistics of Washington, the mechanics and timing of the process, the right doors to open, and the decision-makers to engage. We know how Washington works.
As true partners, we will put Washington to work for you.
Offices: 1440 G Street, NW, Washington, District Of Columbia 20005, US
Competitive and Discretionary Grant FundingFederal Funding and AppropriationsLegislative Strategy and ImplementationIssue Monitoring and Managementand Coalition ManagementAdvocacyLegalConsulting