Best and Brightest Management Internship Program (CO) Grant

Best and Brightest Management Internship Program (CO) Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Last Updated: April 01, 2026

Summary

The Best and Brightest Management Internship Program in Colorado connects high school and undergraduate students with local governments to foster future leaders in public service. This initiative offers paid internships and fellowships, enhancing students' professional development while addressing community needs. By partnering with educational institutions, the program promotes diversity and inclusion, ensuring that new leaders reflect the communities they serve. This effort is vital for building a pipeline of engaged, informed, and capable public service professionals.

Overview

NOTE: Pre-Proposal - High school and undergraduate internships are available on an on-going basis. Local governments are responsible for seeking out candidates at their discretion. Contact your Regional Manager or the program manager for more information about participating as a host jurisdiction.Full Proposal -  Invite Only - Upon approval, local governments need to develop a mentoring plan and a community profile to distribute to interested candidates, due to their Regional Manager and Program Manager by February 1. Best and Brightest Management Internship Program (CO) The Department of Local Affairs Best and Brightest Management Internship and Fellowship Program partners with counties, municipalities and universities across the state, striving to meet the needs of communities, engage future leaders, and meet students where they are in their professional development, connecting them to community work in public service. Initially named in recognition of a former Department of Labor Affairs Regional Manager, Cathy Shipley, whose career trajectory, dedication and love of local government exemplified the model of earning a Master’s in Public Administration while working in the field, this program combines classroom studies with the real world experience of working in the public sector. Cathy’s professional life proved to be an inspiration to those who followed her footsteps and it is with this model in mind that the Department of Local Affairs has long supported increasing capacity in rural Colorado, finding innovative ways for communities to meet their current administrative needs and look towards the future. This program actively forwards equity, diversity, and inclusion in public service and public administration studies. An integral component of that work is helping to mold new community leaders and setting the stage for their success. It is important that future leaders of our communities reflect our communities and this Internship and Fellowship Program is a natural pipeline to make that happen. The program will work with local governments, students and educators in various ways: Paid summer or semester internships for high school seniors Paid summer or semester internships for undergraduate students Two-year paid fellowship for MPA and MPPA students studying at the CU Denver’s Center for New Directions (Political Science), CU Denver’s School of Public Affairs, Adams State University, or College of Liberal Arts at Colorado State University These partnerships meet the following objectives: To increase the likelihood of high school students choosing a public service path once they enter post-secondary education To introduce local government real-world work at the undergraduate level, ensuring higher success at the graduate level To provide a unique opportunity for students to complete their graduate degree while gaining invaluable real world learning experiences To develop potential local government managers, planners, economic and community development directors To provide a way for the Department of Local Affairs to support small and/or rural jurisdictions in meeting their administrative staffing needs in the most cost effective way possible

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Regional Managers will identify potential jurisdictions and work with local managers to determine possible participation. Each jurisdiction will determine its own needs and job requirements for an intern or fellow. Local government managers considered for the program must develop a work plan and job description, including job duties. Mentorship plans are required for the two-year fellowship program.Best and Brightest Interns: An incoming or outgoing high school senior focused on a specific task or opportunity within the jurisdiction. Internships will last up to twelve weeks. An undergraduate student studying any number of public service-focused curricula, focused on a specific task or opportunity with the jurisdiction. Internships will last up to 16 weeks.High school and undergraduate internships are paid based on the work being completed. Students must be recommended by their schools and maintain good academic standing.