Overview
The summer fellowship program is designed for a graduate student to learn and support on policy and research advocacy at a community based organization.
About Chinese for Affirmative Action DBA Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality
Description
Position: CAA Graduate Student Summer Fellow
Stipend: $1,150/week (including funding from fellow’s school)
Period: From 5/26/26 to 8/7/26
Hours: 40 hours per week for 10 weeks
Location: Hybrid, with regular in-person, project-based meetings and events required in
San Francisco
Reports to: CAA Education Equity Policy Manager
Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis
Posting: February 2026
Position Overview
CAA is seeking one summer fellow to work on policy research and advocacy. This is an opportunity to work with a small, close-knit team in a mission-driven, start-up environment. The summer fellowship program is designed to include traditional fellowship elements, such as lunch and learn sessions and guest speakers, and community building opportunities, such as retreats and field trips.
The fellow’s responsibilities may include and are not limited to:
- Conducting policy and legal research
- Drafting memoranda, documents, and public-facing materials
- Identifying, tracking, and analyzing legislation and other policy initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels
- Developing policy recommendations
- Attending meetings, hearings, and briefings
- Representing CAA and Stop AAPI Hate at external meetings
- Engaging in related direct service, programmatic, and advocacy work
- Supporting CAA and Stop AAPI Hate staff and volunteers
- Other duties as assigned
The fellow reports to the Education Equity Policy Manager and is expected to work 40 hours/week on Pacific Standard Time, for 10 weeks. The fellowship period is from 5/26/26 to 8/7/26 (Please note: CAA’s office will be closed between 6/29-7/3/2026). The position is open to applicants located in the San Francisco Bay Area. Regular project-based in-person meetings and events in San Francisco will be required; CAA is unable to reimburse for travel expenses. The fellow uses their own computer with access to a CAA email and Google Workspace.
CAA requires candidates to apply for any available funding through their school (e.g., funding for students with public interest summer internships/fellowships). CAA supplements any funding provided by the fellow’s school, so that the fellow receives a total weekly stipend of $1,150. Stipends are offered to help defray living expenses during the fellowship.
Qualifications
- A graduate student in law, policy, public administration, or a related field
- Strong commitment to the mission and values of AACRE, CAA, and Stop AAPI Hate, including a commitment to social justice, equity, and civic engagement
- Familiarity with the process of policymaking and/or specific policy areas, such as civil rights, education equity, immigration, language diversity, economic justice, and/or community safety and justice
- Excellent writing skills
- Comfortable with fluid and fast-paced environments
- Open to direction, learning, and feedback, with a strong desire to learn and grow professionally
- Respectful and communicative with colleagues, coalition partners, and community members
- Willing to pitch in, from bringing your ideas to the table, to rolling up your sleeves to get the work done
To Apply
Please apply directly on this Gusto page and include your cover letter, resume and a 3-5 page policy, legal or research writing sample. In your cover letter, please include:
1) your interest in the fellowship;
2) relevant life, education, and/or work experience; and
3) your earliest start date and the weeks you are available for the fellowship.
Please combine your cover letter and a writing sample into one document for upload. Your resume should be uploaded as a separate document.
Candidates are encouraged to apply ASAP, as applications will be reviewed and decisions will be made on a rolling basis.
CAA shares fiscal sponsorship with Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE). Fellows hired by CAA will be fellows at AACRE.
AACRE is dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment where everyone is valued and discrimination has no place. We are committed to serving the rich diversity of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and strongly encourage women, trans and gender expansive individuals, people of color, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those living with disabilities to apply.
Check the CAA website for the most updated job announcement and if the position is still open: https://caasf.org/jobs.
Salary
$1,150 – $1,150 per week
