September 09, 2025: Application Opens

Applications accepted for the 2026 MGA Legislative Intern Program. Students may apply online. Program Announcement is sent to Maryland colleges and universities.

October 15, 2025: Application Deadline

All applications and accompanying materials are due.

October - December 2025: Review & Selection

Applications are reviewed by legislative offices, interviews are scheduled and conducted, and candidates are selected. Selected candidates are notified of their placement, intern agreements are sent to selected candidates, intern agreements are signed and executed.

December 10, 2025: Selection Deadline

Deadline for offices to select a candidate.

December 2025 - January 2026: Mandatory Pre-Orientation Webinar

Interns selected for the MGA Legislative Intern Program must attend a pre-orientation webinar. A variety of dates and times will be provided upon selection.

January 13 - January 14, 2026: Mandatory In-Person Orientation

Interns selected for the MGA Legislative Intern Program must attend a 2-day orientation in Annapolis. Orientation is expected to run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.

January 13 - April 17, 2026: Dates of Internship

Internships are for 14 full weeks and include the dates of the 2026 Legislative Session.

If you would like to receive alerts regarding the 2026 application process for the MGA Legislative Intern Program,

please submit your e-mail address:

CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR UPDATES

The Maryland General Assembly meets annually for a period of 90 calendar days, beginning the second Wednesday in January and continuing through early April. Internships through the MGA Legislative Intern Program run from Tuesday, January 13 to Friday, April 17, 2026 (14 weeks). They are in-person and located at the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis.

Legislative interns must work two to five days per week, with one day falling on either a Wednesday or Thursday for programming. If selected, an intern will establish a regular weekly schedule with their legislative office for the duration of the internship. (Most legislators would like their intern to work two to three days per week.) Since the legislature does not take any holidays during the 90-day session, interns must commit to a weekly work schedule with no holidays or spring break.

A stipend is awarded to an MGA Legislative Intern based on their established weekly schedule. It is paid in two installments – the first half of the stipend is awarded midway through session and the second half of the stipend is awarded at the end of session. Please note, all stipends are taxable income.

The stipend amounts are listed below:

14-16 hours per week = $3,360

Up to 24 hours per week = $5,040

Up to 32 hours per week = $6,720

Up to 40 hours per week = $8,400

Transportation to Annapolis is not provided, nor overnight accommodations. Free parking is available at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, and free shuttle service is provided between the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and the Maryland State Government Complex.

The type of work assigned to interns is mainly legislative, although some duties are clerical in nature. Legislative responsibilities may include:

• Conducting research
• Drafting correspondence
• Preparing, recording, and reporting testimony
• Contacting witnesses
• Attending committee hearings
• Tracking bills
• Working on mailings
• Responding to constituents' inquiries
• Writing newsletters

In addition, a variety of programming is conducted throughout the internship, including seminars, trainings, and events.

Applicants may be from any major, but should possess a high degree of maturity, responsibility, and professionalism, and be highly motivated to succeed. All applicants must have a strong academic record and receive a positive recommendation from their school sponsor.

The Legislative Intern Program is open to individuals who meet the following requirements:

• Presently enrolled in a public or independent college or university within the state of Maryland
• At least 18 years of age
• Graduated high school
• Receive academic credit for the internship*
• Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average
• Have proof of competency in college composition
• Receive sponsorship by a professor, advisor, or career services representative from their school
• Able to work in Annapolis a minimum of two days each week during the 14-week program, to include a Wednesday or Thursday

*If your college or university does not offer credit for this internship, we support independent academic credit requests. While we do not arrange academic credit for you, if your college or university is willing to establish an independent academic credit program, we can work with you and your institution to accommodate these efforts.

2026 APPLICATION OPENS: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9TH 2025

Applications will be accepted September 9 – October 15, 2025. After the closing date, offices schedule and conduct interviews, and make their selections through early December. Candidates may be offered internships with legislative offices, committees, caucuses, or delegations.

PLEASE NOTE: this is a competitive application process with a limited number of placements. Applicants should plan accordingly.

To apply, applicants must submit the following documents and information with their application:

1. Resume (PDF Format)
   
   
2. Unofficial transcript (PDF Format)
   
   
3. Essay (PDF Format): A brief description of yourself, interests in State government, and your objectives for an internship with the Maryland General Assembly (approximately 200 words)
   
   
4. Sponsor Information: Applicants must provide the name and contact information for their sponsor (must be a professor, advisor, or career services representative from their school). The sponsor will be contacted via e-mail to confirm their endorsement. In addition to recommending an applicant for the internship, a sponsor must confirm that the applicant will receive credit for the internship, and the sponsor must agree to provide guidance during the internship, if needed. Sponsors must confirm their sponsorship no later than Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
   

IMPORTANT: Applications will not be considered for failure to submit the required documents and/or failure to secure a sponsor endorsement by the corresponding deadlines.

QUESTIONS?

Contact StudentPrograms@mlis.state.md.us or 410-946-5120.