Student Opportunities

Sacramento Partners

For 50 years, the Cal-in-Sacramento program has helped prepare our state's future leaders for careers in public service. Help us train the next generation!

Every year, the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service at UC Berkeley sends 30 undergraduate students to Sacramento to complete highly substantive public service internships. Before commencing their internships, Fellows are required to take a 3-unit spring semester course on California politics, policy, and governance, which is designed to train and prepare...

"We The Cities" is looking for community-minded student researchers!

August 22, 2024
You are invited to get involved in the We the Cities Project at the Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS)!

Are you interested in public service? Do you love your home town and all things local? Do you want to help build American democracy for the coming generations? We the Cities might be for you! IGS Resident Scholar and lawyer/law professor KathleenMorris is leading a pilot project whose goal is to intentionally and thoughtfully build bridges for community-minded students and community activists into local public service....

Cal-in-Sac Research Fellowships

Cal-in-Sacramento Research Fellowships

Cal-in-Sacramento applicants are invited to apply to one of the following Research Fellowships, which provide additional resources and support for the summer research project. Research Fellowship applications are included in the Cal-in-Sacramento application form. Note that these Research Fellowships are only awarded to accepted Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows.

About the Program

The Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship is designed to train the next generation of public service leaders through a highly supportive and comprehensive approach to experiential learning.

Fellows develop critical skills and engage thoughtfully with key policy issues using a 3-pillar model, combining coursework, research training, and professional development. These components provide the foundation for the Cal-in-Sacramento capstone: the summer public service internship.

About the Program

About the Program

The Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service is pleased to partner with Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program to deliver high-quality enrichment experiences to UC Berkeley undergraduates. The Schaeffer Fellowship is a national program administered at the University of Southern California and includes five participating universities: UC Berkeley, Princeton, Harvard, the University of Virginia, and USC. Since 2015, the Fellowship has...

Q: Can I participate in more than one Matsui Center or IGS program?

A: Yes! Students can apply to more than one program, and some students participate in two or more programs during their time at Berkeley. Acceptance into one program does not guarantee acceptance into another program. Some restrictions apply regarding concurrent participation (see FAQ on concurrent participation).

Student FAQ

Have a question about the Matsui Center or IGS? Here are some common questions we receive from students.

Don't see the question you're looking for? Reach out to igs@berkeley.edu or matsuicenter@berkeley.edu.

Public Service Career Resources

Submit additional resources and opportunities to matsuicenter@berkeley.edu.

Q: I am not a US Citizen. What opportunities am I eligible for?

A: Non-US citizens are eligible to apply for all Matsui Center and IGS programs and opportunities. This includes permanent residents; undocumented students and DACA recipients; those holding Temporary Protective Status, refugee status, or asylum status; F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

In the case of internship placements, some restrictions may apply depending on status. However, these restrictions do not preclude participation in the program. Students with specific concerns are encouraged to reach out to our team (matsuicenter@...

Q: Can I participate in more than one program concurrently?

A: It depends. Students cannot participate in both Cal-in-Sacramento and the Schaeffer Fellowship at the same time. Students are also not permitted to participate in both Democracy Camp in Berkeley and Democracy Camp in DC during the same cycle (same academic year). However, students can participate in either Cal-in-Sacramento or Schaeffer and one Democracy Camp program within the same cycle.