Application Deadline for the 2026 APTA Harker Internship in Government Affairs
Practice & Advocacy
Do you want to contribute to an organization dedicated to improving societal health? Would you like to collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about making a difference? Are you excited to work in a new state-of-the-art building designed to encourage movement, participation, and employee health? If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions, APTA invites you to apply to this highly sought-after internship!
The APTA Harker Internship is an annual paid internship in Government Affairs for third year DPT students (if you are in a 2-year program, then your final year). The internship duration is approximately 6-8 weeks, usually during the late spring/early summer timeframe, and provides experience in federal legislative advocacy, policy, and grassroots. One student is selected each calendar year.
The internship is named in memory of R. Charles “Charlie” Harker, who served as APTA’s Director of Government Affairs from 1982 until 1994. Harker was known as a fierce advocate and helped build the APTA government affairs department and PTPAC. The Harker Internship was created by the APTA Board of Directors in 1995 in his honor and is aimed at fostering the next generation of PT advocates.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Attend meetings on Capitol Hill with congressional staff on key APTA legislative priorities.
- Attend political events with APTA Government Affairs staff.
- Participate in internal APTA meetings, such as congressional strategy meetings, staff meetings, APTA Federal Affairs Liaisons calls, etc.
- Assist Government Affairs staff in research, special projects and administrative functions.
- Participate in any APTA-hosted scheduled advocacy events.
- Collaborate with APTA staff on student advocacy programs and promotion of the programs.
- Meet with APTA staff in various departments such as Practice, Research, DEI, State Affairs, Health Policy & Payment, to learn more about their roles within APTA and their connection to advocacy.
- Attend (virtual or in-person) congressional hearings as appropriate.
REQUIREMENTS
In order to be considered for this internship, applicants must submit an essay explaining what PT advocacy means to them, why they are interested in advocacy, and what they hope to learn. Also, applicants must have their applications reviewed by their PT program faculty director before submitting to APTA. Please submit no later than March 22, 2024.
Deadline: Friday, February 6, 2026
