It is the final month of recruiting for Georgetown University’s 2026 Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute (PS-PSI). Multiple zoom information sessions will be held for anyone who is interested and wants to know more information. Register below using the links below!

The 2026 PS-PSI will take place from May 31 to June 6, 2026. The PS-PSI is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in political science. This year, for the first time, they are recruiting undergraduate students, recent grads and students in M.A. programs.

Applications are open now through March 1st, 2026.

What are the benefits?

  • A stipend of $1,000
  • Room and board at Georgetown University for the week of the Institute
  • Mentoring from faculty and Ph.D. students
  • A modest travel reimbursement: They have a pool of funds dedicated to their travel reimbursements; and they will reimburse students until it runs out. They can reimburse participants up to $150.
  • Modest support for taking the GRE: They have a pool of funds dedicated to their support for GRE preparation and fees; and they will reimburse participants’ claims until it runs out. They can reimburse participants up to $440. Participants need to take the GRE by October of the year following Institute attendance to be eligible for funding.

What is the PS-PSI?

The PS-PSI is a week-long residential program. Georgetown University hopes to reach an excellent group of political science students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in the field. The Institute includes substantive elements (introducing the content and methods of political science) and practical elements (assisting participants to prepare strong applications for graduate programs). Participants will also share their ideas about research directions. The PS-PSI will involve significant mentoring and networking with faculty and Ph.D. students. 

The PS-PSI is led by a consortium of universities in our region and this year will be hosted by Georgetown University’s Department of Government.  

Who can apply?

To be eligible, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Academic Status:
    • Applicants should currently be sophomores, juniors, or seniors (in their second, third, fourth or final year of undergraduate study), OR
    • have graduated with their undergraduate degree NO EARLIER than spring of 2022.
    • Students who are currently enrolled in a master’s program and graduated in the spring of 2022 or later are eligible to apply.
  • Institution Location:
    • Applicants in undergraduate or master’s programs must be enrolled at a college or university located in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, or Delaware. 
    • Applicants who have graduated since the spring of 2022 and are not currently in a master’s program must have completed their undergraduate degree in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, or Delaware. 
    • We welcome applications from students who call any state or country home; what is important for eligibility is the location of their academic institution.
  • Field of Study: Applicants must be majoring in political science or a closely related field.
  • Academic Performance:
    • Applicants must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. 
    • Applicants currently enrolled in a master’s program should have an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher AND a graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher.
  • Interest in Graduate Education: Applicants should have an interest in or a desire to learn more about pursuing a Ph.D. in political science or a closely related field.

Want more information? Contact pspredocsumminst@georgetown.edu and follow us on Instagram @georgetown.ps.psi.