Applications open in Washington DC for ANCA 2025 career services and youth empowerment programs

WASHINGTON — The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) has opened applications for several career services and pro-Armenian student advocacy programs in Washington, D.C., as it prepares to welcome hundreds of young people to the nation’s capital in 2025.

“Our youth are the most valuable asset in the arsenal of the Armenian nation,” said ANCA Programs Coordinator Nareg Mesrobian. “That’s why investing in their success is so important to the ANCA. Our job placement and internship programs don’t just build careers; They shape leaders and create opportunities to amplify Armenian voices in Washington and beyond. We invite everyone inspired to make a difference and build meaningful careers to join our youth programs. At ANCA, participants are in good hands, equipped and empowered to make a meaningful impact for themselves and our community.”

ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program
Recent college graduates are invited to apply for the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program (CGP), which helps secure permanent employment and professional internships in Washington, DC, for young Armenian American professionals and students interested in careers in politics, policy and media. CGP offers three months of free accommodation and enrichment seminars, connects participants with mentors, and much more.

Winter 2025 session: January 13 – April 5; Application deadline is 15 November 2024
Spring 2025 session: April 14 – June 7; Application deadline is February 15, 2025
Fall 2025 session: September 8 – December 6; Application deadline is July 15, 2025
Learn more and apply at:

Term Internship Programs at ANCA DC
In addition, ANCA encourages students attending universities that offer semester programs in Washington (UCDC, USC, Pepperdine, AU, Holy Cross, etc.) to take advantage of these opportunities and consider an internship at ANCA. ANCA is happy to work with participants to ensure ANCA internships meet the university’s requirements. Students can apply through the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program portal:

ANCA’s Emerging Leaders
Presented in two sessions in March, ANCA Emerging Leaders is a four-day seminar in Washington, DC, offering expert advice on careers in government, development and media. The program also includes the Lucine Kouchakdjian Capitol Day; It’s a day filled with discussions with lawmakers and staff on Capitol Hill about strengthening U.S.-Armenia ties, demanding accountability for Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, and ensuring justice for genocides committed against Armenians. The program is organized by ANCA together with the Armenian Youth Federation in the Washington, DC region of the Eastern and Western USA. Local Armenian American high school seniors are also welcomed to attend. ANCA group accommodations are available for young people aged 18 and over.

Rising Leaders Session 1: 8-11 March 2025
Rising Leaders Session 2: 22-25 March 2025
Application Deadline: January 27, 2025
Learn more and apply: https://anca.org/rising leaders/

ANCA Leo Sargsyan Internship and Maral Melkonyan Avetisyan Scholarship
During the summer months, ANCA invites college students to participate in the Leo Sarkisian Internship, an intensive six-week program designed to provide the necessary tools to effectively advance issues of interest to the Armenian American community at the federal, state, and local levels. Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Scholarship is also carried out in parallel with this program.

2025 ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program Dates: 16 June – 25 July 2025
Learn more and apply at: http://anca.org/internship
Application deadline: March 31, 2025

ANCA Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy
High school students ages 17 to 19 are invited to participate in the Haroutioun and Elizabeth Kasparian Summer Academy; This is a one-week, intensive program that brings a select group of high school students with proven community leadership experience to Washington, DC. The Armenian Cause and how our policy priorities are being advanced within the framework of the American federal government. There are two sessions for high school students to choose from:

Kasparian Summer Academy – Session 1: 4 August – 8 August 2025
Kasparian Summer Academy – Session 2: 11 August – 15 August 2025
Learn more and apply at: https://anca.org/summer
Application deadline: May 17, 2025

Middle School Class Visits to ANCA Washington, DC Headquarters
ANCA hosts hundreds of students from Armenian American secondary schools during their annual trip to the nation’s capital for an interactive discussion about the important role they can play in advocating for pro-Artsakh/Armenia priorities back home while offering an early introduction to Washington. , DC career opportunities in politics, policy and media.

Schools or parents interested in scheduling a “Pizza and Politics” session with the ANCA Washington, DC team, email [email protected] or call (202) 775-1918.

For more information about these programs, visit: anca.org/youth or email [email protected].

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters in the United States and affiliates worldwide, ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a wide range of issues.