College of Arts & Sciences
Department of Government
Department of Government

How To Apply

Applications for the 2026 PS-PSI are now open!

Applications will be due March 1st, 2026.

APPLY HERE!

You will need to provide us with a few types of information in your application for the PS-PSI:

Demographic Information

As part of your application to the Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute, we ask that you share some demographic information.

Three Essays:

1) A statement of interest
Please write a statement (250–300 words) to help us get to know you. Please tell us (1) a bit about your background and interests (2) why you would like to pursue a doctoral degree in political science, and (3) why you would like to attend the Georgetown University Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute.

2) A contribution statement
We encourage you to submit a statement (250-300 words) to help us understand the contribution your individual background, activities, and experiences would make to the Georgetown University Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute and to the summer 2026 cohort. As appropriate, you may wish to offer examples of how any of these have helped to shape your educational and professional goals.

3) A research pitch
Please write a description (250-300 words) of a topic you would like to research. Please make sure your pitch has a title! Please tell us:
(1) whom or what you would like to research,
(2) where it is (i.e., in the U.S.?, in Latin America?),
(3) what time period you would like to focus on;
(4) why you think the topic is important and merits research.

Please include your three essays in a single document (PDF or DOC).
Name the document “YOURLASTNAME_ESSAYS”.
Attach the document to an email, and send it to this email address:

2026_PS.swfj9agx3rw9sd64@u.box.com

An Unofficial Transcript

Please send an electronic version of your current transcript from your college/university. An unofficial transcript is fine. 

If you are currently in a master’s program, please send us both a current transcript AND an undergraduate transcript.

Name the undergraduate transcript: 

“YOURLASTNAME_TRANSCRIPT_U”, 

and, if applicable, name your master’s transcript  

“YOURLASTNAME_TRANSCRIPT_G”.

Attach the transcript(s) to an email and send it to this email address: 

2026_PS.28vvqsl23hmpxoj4@u.box.com

The Name and Email Address of the Recommender

Please provide us with the name and email address of one professor, faculty member, mentor or teaching assistant who is familiar with your work and can speak to your strengths. We will ask this person to serve as a reference for you. (See the FAQs on the PS-PSI website for tips on whom to select and how!)

Curious to know more about the 2026 PS-PSI?

We are holding zoom information sessions this fall. Register for an information session by clicking one of the links below. In each session, the Institute’s director or founder and an alum of the program will outline what the PS-PSI is like and answer all of your questions.