A new MSU program will teach aspiring politicians about the process of running for office.

The program, "Tomorrow's Political Leaders," will be offered by MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and is geared toward recent graduates and upperclassmen who are about to enter Michigan's work force.

Institute project manager Brian McGrain said the two-week program is very competitive, and officials will only accept about 30 percent of its applicants.

"It's a necessity for anyone who's young and wants to get involved with politics," McGrain said. "We will offer participants an opportunity to network and get inside politics and further themselves."

The program begins May 14, and there is a $200 required fee for people accepted into the program. The program was made possible because of a grant by the Battle Creek-based W.K. Kellogg Foundation, but McGrain would not disclose how much the grant was for.

McGrain said the first week of the program will focus on how to run for office, including developing a platform and fund-raising techniques. The second week of the program will deal with the intricacies of a political career, such as budgeting and dealing with lobbyists and constituents, McGrain said.

Matt Thome, chairman of the MSU College Republicans, said the program will provide experiences unavailable at the student government level.

"It looks like an excellent, comprehensive program, Thome said. "It's basically like going to school for two weeks. It's pretty intense and covers things we can't do ourselves."

MSU College Democrats could not be reached for comment.

McGrain said the program is non partisan, and officials from many political parties will be invited. He added the program is still in the early stages of setting up guest speakers, but organizers hope Gov. Jennifer Granholm and other well-known Michigan politicians will participate.

State Sen. Bob Emerson, D-Flint and Senate minority leader, said programs such as "Tomorrow's Political Leaders" were not available to students when he was in college. He said he wasn't a member of any student political organizations in college; instead he became involved in politics through Vietnam War demonstrations.

"I'm not sure you can teach people to be good candidates for office," Emerson said. "But anything we can do to encourage people to be involved in the political process is a good thing in a democratic society."

Applications for the program are due Dec. 5 and are available at www.ippsr.msu.edu/leadership