The Republican Party is encouraging Minnesota college students and recent graduates to apply for internships to work on the party's national convention in St. Paul.

The unpaid internships run from June 2 to Sept. 4. The convention will be held Sept. 1-4 at the Xcel Energy Center.

The party will probably hire between 40 and 50 interns, said Matt Burns, a convention spokesman. He noted that Maria Cino, president and CEO of the convention, began in 1979 as an intern for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Asked if interns must be Republicans, Burns said he hoped applicants "support Republican Party ideals and those are less government, lower taxes, individual responsibility and keeping our nation secure."

Interns must be 18 or older and enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university, or have graduated the previous semester. They would work on a variety of projects. Applications must be submitted by March 14 via www.gopconvention2008.com/interns.

Augsburg College is running a separate two-week program for 250 students and recent graduates who will work on convention activities and attend special classes. The deadline for those applications is March 1 and applicants should go to www.twc.edu to apply.

RANDY FURST