WASHINGTON–Application forms for the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) 2007 undergraduate Summer Internship Program are now available at www.apaics.org. Applicants may also call (202) 296-9200 or email apaics@apaics.org for more information. The deadline is January 31, 2007.

APAICS President and CEO William H. (Mo) Marumoto said the 2007 Summer Interns would receive a stipend of $2,500 for the period June 4-July 27, 2007. Interns

are selected from across the country, and also from private and public institutions. Each group of interns reflects the ethnic diversity of the Asian Pacific Islander American community. Applicants must demonstrate an interest in public service and Asian Pacific Islander American affairs. Undergraduates, including those graduating in the Spring of 2007, are also eligible. 

            Founded in 1994, APAICS is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization based in this capital. It aims to build a politically empowered Asian Pacific American community by filling the political pipeline for Asian Pacific Americans to enter and advance into elected office, and to be a resource to Congress on the Asian Pacific American community

            Every year, APAICS selects up to 10 undergraduate students for a first-hand learning experience in American politics. Interns work in congressional offices, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations in this nation’s capital.

            Placements last summer included offices in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and the National Education Association. Through a series of seminars, interns learn about national Asian Pacific Islander American (APIA) advocacy organizations and network with peers from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF). The CHCI, CBCF, and APAICS are known as the Tri-Caucus. There were almost 90 summer interns working representing the Tri-Caucus.

            The APAICS Summer Internship Program encourages the political and civic involvement of young Asian Pacific Islander Americans, fosters their interest in careers in politics and public policy, and develops their leadership skills.

            Some comments from APAICS' 2006 Summer Interns: Heather De Guia, "As an intern, I had the privilege of participating in meetings regarding an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965 to authorize grants for institutions of higher education serving Asian American and Pacific Islanders (H.R. 2616)." It was déjà vu when she remembered that only a few years ago she was getting signatures when the bill was then known as H.R. 333. De Guia interned for Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA). She is from Illinois.

            James Dee’s summer stint in the Office of Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-Guam) had both a serious and humorous side. He wrote her "Extension of Remarks" to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the ascension of the throne of the King Adulyadej of Thailand, a House Resolution. Even though he is a Californian, Dee has the unique distinction of sharing the same name as a local folk hero in Guam. The Congresswoman and staff were proud to introduce Dee to the constituents who came to visit her office.

            Hawaiian Kelsey Yamasaki, who was placed in the National Education Association, was assigned to write about how Michigan and Washington are incorporating Asian Pacific Islander (API) culture into curriculum standards and lesson plans primarily due to population and economic relations with Asian nations. He also worked on the second case study which deals with teacher preparation and Native Hawaiian students.

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APAICS Announces Fellowship Programs for 2007-08

WASHINGTON--"Due to the overwhelming response from the Asian Pacific American community in the 2006-07 cycle, the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) now has the application forms for these Fellowship programs on our website," APAICS President and CEO William H. (Mo) Marumoto announced recently. "We hope this early announcement will allow more response from the APA community."

            The two 2007-08 Fellowship Programs are the George Aratani Foundation/Daniel K. Inouye Fellowship Program and the Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellowship Program. Applications can be downloaded from the APAICS website, www.apaics.org. Candidates can also request an application by mail by sending a message to apaics@apaics.org. These applications must be postmarked by February 28, 2007. There will be no extension of the deadline.

            Maya Yamazaki and Gloria Chan, respectively, are the current APAICS’ Fellows for the George Aratani Foundation/Daniel K. Inouye Fellow and Anheuser-Busch/Frank Horton Fellow. Ms. Yamazaki has been placed with Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo’s Office and Ms. Chan is with Congressman Mike Honda’s Office. "This program has proven to be very competitive among the graduate students," said Marumoto. "It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the workings of our federal government and perhaps to be involved in how our laws are made in the Congress."

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2007-2008 Gates Millennium Scholarships

January 12 is the deadline for the 2007-2008 Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Nomination Process. For nomination forms or for more information, visit www.gmsp.org Forms may be submitted either on-line by January 12, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), or postmarked on or before January 12. For questions, contact person is Ryan Edgar, GMS/APIASF Outreach Coordinator, at gmsoutreach@apiasf.org or at toll free number, 1-866-274-4677 ext. 9.

            Students are eligible for a GMS scholarship if they are: 1) African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American; 2) A citizen/legal permanent resident or national of the US; 3) Have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted); 4) Will be enrolling for the first-time at a U.S. accredited college or university as a full time, degree-seeking first year student in the Fall of 2007; 5) Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities; 6) Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria. (Eligibility for Federal Pell Grant can only be determined through the submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid Programs); 7) Have all three required forms (Nominee Personal Information Form, Nominator Form, and Recommender Form) completed and submitted by deadline.

            The GMS program selects 1,000 students every year as Gates Millennium Scholars. Continuing GMS Scholars may request a fellowship for a graduate degree program in any of the following areas: education, engineering, library science, mathematics, public health, or science.

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UPEACE Master’s Degree Scholarship for Asian Student

Amr Abdalla, Professor and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the University for Peace, a United Nations Affiliated University in San Jose , Costa Rica has announced a full scholarship program to obtain a Master’s degree. The successful candidate from Asian countries, including Arab countries in Asia , would attend a 19-month International Peace Studies Masters Degree Program, starting in April next year.

            The Nippon Foundation of Japan will shoulder all the costs, including travel and monthly allowances. The scholarship includes a five-month course on intensive English at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines ; a six-month course at UPEACE's International Peace Studies Programme in Costa Rica ; a four-month course at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines ; and a four- month Internship and Project Report/Thesis Writing. Deadline for applications for students with at least a bachelor’s degree is December 15, 2006. For more information and application form, visit ww.upeace.org