Sr. Seton Cunneen ’65 Summer Service Fellowship

Application Form Summer 2026: Click here and submit your application

Attend a Sr. Seton Cunneen Summer 2026 Information Session (required)

The Sr. Seton Cunneen ’65 Summer Service Fellowship (Cunneen Fellowship) was established in 1996 to honor the work and commitment of Sr. Seton Cunneen SND ’65, former Campus Minister and faculty member at Trinity. Funded by the Maurice R. Robinson Foundation, the Cunneen Fellowship offers Trinity students with a paid, ten-week community service internship at a non-governmental organization (NGO), offering an opportunity to explore social issues and deepen their commitment to serving the common good. The internship involves a 40-hour per week commitment from May 25 to July 31, 2026, including Fridays spent on campus at Trinity Washington University for reflection sessions facilitated by the Office of Campus Ministry.

This fellowship bridges the hands-on experience of direct service with broader social issues. By working closely with organizational staff, Fellows gain a deeper understanding of how the organization operates and its impact on society. Engaging directly with the populations served provides Fellows with firsthand insight into the needs and challenges faced by individuals in vulnerable situations.

Placement Site Criteria

Applicants are encouraged to identify and secure their own internship and are not limited to a specific number of non-profit organizations in the DC/MD/VA region. However, given the 2026 calendar constraints, applicants are encouraged to explore opportunities offered by Campus Ministry’s partner organizations, which may help facilitate the search for an internship.

Internship sites may focus on areas such as poverty, domestic violence, human rights and trafficking, community development, and other social issues. To ensure a meaningful experience, the organization must provide the Cunneen Fellow with significant engagement with staff and the community served, as well as exposure to broader social challenges. The internship site is expected to provide orientation, ongoing guidance, and supervision for the Fellow. All placement sites must align with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching — including human dignity, the right to participation, human rights and responsibilities, solidarity, and a preferential option for the poor — and must be approved by the Cunneen Fellowship Committee.

For more information about Campus Ministry’s NGO partners and available positions, applicants may email the office (borgest@trinitydc.edu) or visit in person (Room 224, in Main).

Participant Criteria and Award

Participant Criteria: Any full-time CAS student at Trinity Washington University who will graduate no earlier than Spring 2027 and are in good disciplinary and academic standing (minimum 3.2 GPA) are invited to apply.

Award: $4,500 for the 10-week internship. On-campus housing may be available to Fellows during the fellowship period at no cost, if desired.

Summer 2026 Application Process

  • Attend an Information Meeting with Campus Ministry (required for applicants).
  • Submit the Application Form no later than Monday March 16, 2026 (until 11:59pm) which includes:
    • 500 words essay response to the question included in the application (Question 20).
    • Current resume (including work, co-curricular and service activities).
    • One letter of recommendation – from a Trinity faculty or staff member.
  • If selected to move forward in the process, schedule an in-person interview during the week of April 13, 2026. Additional details will be sent via email.
  • Receive final notification from selection committee by April 27, 2026.

For more information on this opportunity , please contact Campus Ministry (borgest@trinitydc.edu) or (202) 884-9608.

Please see a list of past Fellows at: Past Cunneen Fellows | Campus Ministry and Trinity Times: From Classroom to Community: Cunneen Fellowship Supports Trinity Students’ Summer Service – Trinity Times

Summer 2025 Cunneen Fellows