civigators
The University of Florida Bob Graham Center for Public Service and UF Government and Community Relations office are pleased to sponsor students for public service internship opportunities in conjunction with our local public service partners.
This is a two-semester experiential learning opportunity that begins with enrollment in a 1-credit Public Service professional development course during Fall 2026, followed by an intended internship placement in local government in the Spring 2027. This Spring 2027 internship placement is contingent upon successful completion of the fall course, an interview with and selection by our partnering offices/office availability and needs.
Application Process
The application period for the 2026-2027 cohort of CiviGators is now open. For your convenience, you may download a copy of the application to familiarize yourself with its components. Priority review of applications will begin on, or soon after Wednesday, July 1, 2026 and continue until all positions are filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply early..
About the Internship
The CiviGators Internship connects high-achieving University of Florida undergraduate students with local government offices and community organizations. Through this two-semester program, students gain hands-on public service experience while fostering collaboration between the university and local partners.
Jointly supported by UF’s Office of Government and Community Relations and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, the program focuses on placing students in county and municipal government roles to develop pathways into public service careers.
- Open to all undergraduate majors with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Interns work part-time (15 hours per week) in Spring 2027.
- All interns will enroll in and earn between 1-3 academic credits in Spring 2027.
- Interns engage in project-based work addressing operational challenges and strategic goals in city and county departments.
- Interns will also will enroll in a 1-credit IDS4940: CiviGators Internship Program for Fall 2026 that will meet weekly at 3 pm Thursdays for one hour. This course is designed to prepare students for their spring placements.
Read about the fellows selected for the 2025-26 cohort of CiviGators.
View of list of potential internship placements.
Timeline
Monday, May 11, 2026 — Application opens. Submit your application as soon as possible.
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 — Priority review of applications begins and continues until all positions are filled.
Thursday, August 20, 2026 — IDS 4940 begins.
Contact Dr. Kevin Bird, Experiential Learning Coordinator, Bob Graham Center for Public Service at kevin.bird@ufl.edu or (352) 273-1077 with additional questions.
Watch the Virtual Info Session
We provide this link to the October 7, 2024 info session about CiviGators.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students have the opportunity to be placed with offices and host organizations that focus on policy research, human resources, communication (marketing and media) specialists and public health.
Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Our partners are eager to invite students from areas within the Colleges of the Arts; Education; Business; Design, Construction & Planning; Engineering; Health & Human Performance; Liberal Arts & Sciences; Agricultural and Life Sciences; and Journalism and Communications.
In Fall 2026, students will enroll in 1 credit of IDS4940: CiviGators Internship Program that will meet 1 hour a week, on Thursdays at 3 pm (Section 27445) (TUR2303). In Spring 2027, students will enroll in 1-2 credits of IDS 4940: CiviGators Internship Program, as a part of placements in a local government office. In these internship placements, students will complete monthly Canvas-based work journals, arrange for supervisor feedback at the midpoint and end of the semester, and engage in an end-of-term GatorBytes presentation. You can take internship credits through your own department or through the Bob Graham Center.
The hourly salary will be determined by our local and government partner offices. The Bob Graham Center has a select number of modest scholarships that may be available. Some unpaid internships will also be available for students interested.