Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program 2027 provides a paid, semester-long experiential fellowship placing selected students with the Delaware General Assembly to conduct nonpartisan research, assist legislators, and take a linked three-credit seminar during the legislative session.
The program is managed by the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration. Begun in 1982, the program links UD and Delaware State University research capacity with the research needs of the Delaware General Assembly and is managed by Program Manager Lisa Moreland Allred.
Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program Benefits
- Make important contacts with government officials and community leaders, expanding their professional networks.
- Paid fellowship experience working directly with legislators, legislative staff, and state committees. An orientation will be conducted during the first full week of January.
- Travel to Dover (conditions permitting) from UD is by vanpool, with Fellows leaving campus at 11:00 a.m. and returning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
- Take a three-credit seminar, State Government: Management and Policy, as an opportunity to link their experiences with academic coursework.
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Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program Eligibility Criteria
- Full-time master’s degree students or especially qualified junior- or senior-level undergraduate students (minimum GPA 3.4+) from partnering universities (University of Delaware and Delaware State University).
- Candidates with a strong interest in the legislative process, government, or public policy analysis, backed by strong writing skills.
How to Apply for Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program?
- Application and Supporting Documents — Legislative Fellows Application Guide; Legislative Fellows Program Application – Online Form; Recommendation Online Form; Recommendation Printable Form; Dept. Chair/Program Director Confidential Comments Online Form; Permission Form for Research Assistants.
- Writing Exercise — This one-hour timed-writing exercise is held virtually on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus on the same day that applications are due and simulates a duty Fellows might have at Legislative Hall. Applicants must RSVP to Program Manager Lisa Moreland Allred prior to the day of the exercise.
- Initial Interview — An informal 30-minute interview with Institute for Public Administration program manager Lisa Moreland Allred to discuss applicants’ academic and professional backgrounds and interest in the program.
- Panel Interview — A formal 15-minute panel interview with the program manager and a panel of legislative staff members who serve as the Fellows’ supervisors in Dover.
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Applications close on Friday, 30 October 2026. We’ll email you 7, 3 and 1 days before.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, the application process, and program structure to help prospective applicants.
What is the Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program?
The Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program is a paid, semester-long fellowship that links the University of Delaware and Delaware State University research capacity with the research needs of the Delaware General Assembly. Fellows perform nonpartisan, in-depth research to assist legislators and take a three-credit seminar titled State Government: Management and Policy.
Who manages the Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program?
The program is managed by the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration. The program manager is Lisa Moreland Allred, whose contact information and profile are available on the Institute for Public Administration pages linked from the program site.
Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?
Any full-time master’s degree student or especially qualified junior- or senior-level undergraduate student (GPA 3.4+) from partnering universities is eligible. Applicants are expected to have backgrounds in fields such as public administration, public policy, political science, sociology, urban affairs, communications, international relations, criminal justice, history, economics, or business administration.
What are the program dates and weekly schedule?
Fellows work on-site Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from January 12 to June 30, 2027, with an orientation during the first full week of January. Travel to Dover from UD is typically by vanpool with set departure and return times on those days.
Is the fellowship paid and does it offer academic credit?
Yes. The HTML describes this as a PAID fellowship program. Fellows also take a three-credit seminar, State Government: Management and Policy, which connects legislative work with academic coursework.
What is the application deadline for the 2027 cohort?
The spring application deadline for the 2027 Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program is Friday, October 30, 2026. Applicants should consult the program page and flyer for additional details and any updates.
What materials are required to apply?
Applicants should follow the Legislative Fellows Application Guide and submit materials via the Legislative Fellows Program online application form. The site also lists recommendation forms (online and printable), a Department Chair/Program Director confidential comments form, and a permission form for research assistants where applicable.
What is the selection process for applicants?
Applicants undergo a four-step selection process: submission of application and supporting documents, a one-hour timed-writing exercise simulating a legislative memorandum, an initial 30-minute interview with the program manager, and a formal 15-minute panel interview with legislative staff supervisors.
What kinds of work do Fellows perform during the placement?
Fellows work directly with legislators and legislative staff conducting nonpartisan, in-depth research, staffing committees, and preparing policy memos. Recent topics have included criminal justice reform, healthcare, government accountability and transparency, and women’s rights.
How do I arrange to participate in the timed-writing exercise?
Applicants must RSVP to Program Manager Lisa Moreland Allred prior to the day of the one-hour virtual timed-writing exercise, which is held on the University of Delaware’s Newark campus on the application due date. The program manager provides further details upon receipt of an application.
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