ALBANY — Gov. Cuomo wants college students and young professionals to apply for two new programs aimed at nurturing the next generation of New York leaders and policy makers.

The “New New York Leaders Initiative” includes a program called the Empire State Fellows and another called the Student Intern Program.

“The ‘New New York Leaders Initiative’ will help shape tomorrow’s leaders by giving young New Yorkers from every community an opportunity to work in the highest levels of state government,” Cuomo said.

The stipend for the Empire State Fellows will be about $50,000 a year.

The student interns will get credit for more than 200 hours of service and a certificate from Cuomo.

Candidates can get more information and apply online at http://www.dos.ny.gov/newnyleaders.