GSA Summer Policy Internships
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is home to an established summer policy internship program. Aimed at emerging scholars, these professional development opportunities are named in memory of Kathryn Hyer, MPP, PhD, FGSA, FAGHE, and Greg O’Neill, PhD, who were policy scholars and long-time GSA members.
Hyer was a GSA president and board chair — providing undaunted leadership in 2020 by quickly establishing a Diversity and Justice Working Group and a COVID-19 Task Force— and served in many other roles during her 30 years of active membership within the Society. She was a professor in the School of Aging Studies and director of the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging at the University of South Florida. Her scholarship focused on the quality of care in long-term care settings, disaster preparedness, curriculum development, and educational evaluation.
O’Neill enjoyed a 20-year career at GSA. He joined the staff in 1998 as a research associate and served in multiple roles related to research, policy, and practice gerontology. He had a passion for policy and led GSA’s nonpartisan public policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, for many years.
In 2023, GSA is seeking two internship candidates to participate in eight-week in-person experiences in Washington, DC. One of the internships will be designated for an emerging scholar enrolled at a Minority Serving Institution (as defined by the U.S. Department of Education). Over the summer, interns will be immersed in aging-related policy development and participate in this process at the national level.
Internship duties and opportunities may include attending congressional hearings; researching and analyzing issues that impact older people; meeting with federal regulatory agencies and national coalitions; monitoring legislation and regulations; contributing to GSA’s Public Policy & Aging Report; developing policy sessions for the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting; drafting communications related to these issues impacting older people; and attending networking events with GSA staff. The internship term runs through the summer, with flexible start dates. Each selected candidate will receive a $6,000 stipend.
Qualifications
To qualify for an internship, applicants:
- Must be a master’s or doctoral-level student studying gerontology or in an aging-related field at an accredited institution of higher learning with an exceptional academic record or have graduated from such a program within six months of the internship period;
- Should have a strong interest in policy, legislative, and regulatory affairs;
- Should possess strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills;
- Must be able to work in GSA’s central office located in Washington, DC, for 35 hours per week for 8 weeks.
Preference will be given to those applicants who have actively participated in GSA-related activities.
Successful applications will include a complete online application submitted by the due date and time along with a copy of the applicant’s resume/CV; one letter of recommendation from a faculty member or employer; and a copy of the applicant’s most recent transcript indicating current or recent enrollment at an accredited institution of higher learning.
Timeline
Application available: Monday, November 1, 2022: Click here to apply.
Informational webinar, "Getting to Know the GSA Summer Policy Internship Program: Application and Conversation with Previous Policy Interns"
Application submission due: Monday, February 6, 2023, 5 p.m. EST
Online interviews conducted: February 13 to 21, 2023
Decision announced on or about: March 1, 2023
Email questions to the GSA Professional Affairs Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Donate to Support the Internship Program
Our ability to host interns relies on funding from generous donors. We provide each intern with a stipend that covers their travel and living expenses. The more funding received, the more we can foster the next generation of aging policy professionals. If you would like to support the program, you can click here to donate to the GSA Gregory O’Neill Student Policy Internship Fund. Thank you!
