Indiana University has established a presence within the nation's capital for decades, sending researchers and graduates into fields of international relations, public policy, political science, and foreign languages. The recent opening of the IU Capital Campus expands these opportunities by placing students directly at the center of global affairs in Washington, D.C.
Hamilton Lugar School Global Policy Program Expansion
The Hamilton Lugar School's Global Policy Program is utilizing the new facility to offer academic and internship opportunities. This initiative provides a full spring-semester academic program alongside a summer-term internship program for students interested in policy work within Washington.
Cohorts participating in these programs typically range from approximately 15 to 25 students. In the summer 2026 cohort specifically, about half of the enrolled students were drawn directly from the Hamilton Lugar School.
Open Access for All Majors
The Global Policy Program is open to students of all majors across Indiana University, regardless of their academic standing. Eligibility extends from freshmen up through Ph.D. candidates. The curriculum focuses on providing hands-on learning and networking experiences specifically in the field of global policy.
Leadership and Campus Location
The Capital Campus is located on Embassy Row in Washington, D.C., positioning students within proximity to international diplomatic missions and government agencies. Lee Feinstein, a former U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Poland, is involved with the program. During the June grand opening for the IU Capital Campus, Mr. Feinstein spoke directly with attendees.
Summer Program Structure
The summer-term internship program allows students in Washington to pair their professional internships with educational sessions run by Lee Feinstein. These sessions are part of the broader curriculum designed to immerse participants in current policy debates and diplomatic contexts.
The university has long maintained a presence in Washington, D.C., through various academic programs that have historically sent individuals into international relations, public policy, political science, and foreign languages. The Capital Campus serves as an anchor for these ongoing efforts while introducing new structural opportunities for direct engagement with global events.
Academic and Professional Integration
The program structure integrates both full academic semesters during the spring term and intensive internship periods during the summer months. This dual approach allows students to engage in theoretical coursework alongside practical application within a government or policy environment.
Students from diverse majors participate, ensuring that expertise is not limited solely to those with pre-existing degrees in political science or international relations. The Hamilton Lugar School oversees these initiatives while maintaining open enrollment criteria for the broader university community.
Cohort Composition
The composition of student cohorts varies by term but generally adheres to a size range between 15 and 25 participants. This scale is designed to facilitate close mentorship, networking opportunities with government officials, and direct interaction with policy experts such as Lee Feinstein.
For the summer 2026 cohort, approximately half of the students were members of the Hamilton Lugar School, while the remainder represented other majors within Indiana University. This mix reflects the program's goal to integrate global perspectives across disciplines rather than restricting participation to a single department.
Diplomatic Engagement
By locating on Embassy Row, the campus places participants near diplomatic missions and international organizations that operate in Washington, D.C. The involvement of former ambassadors like Lee Feinstein provides direct access to individuals with significant experience in foreign service roles.
The program aims to offer hands-on learning experiences that complement traditional classroom instruction. Networking opportunities are structured into the curriculum to connect students with professionals working on global policy issues within the capital region.
Program Timeline and Structure
The academic calendar for these programs includes a full spring-semester component followed by a summer-term internship phase. This timeline allows students to complete coursework before entering an intensive period of practical work in Washington, D.C.
Students can enroll based on their availability during the specific terms offered. The flexibility extends across freshman year through doctoral studies, accommodating different career trajectories and academic schedules within Indiana University's broader system.