A record number of 494 students are jockeying for the Institute of Politics’ Director’s Internships, though the number of open slots remains limited to 50.

The IOP expects a final total of over 500 applications, which marks a 43 percent increase from last year’s figure, according to IOP’s internship program administrator Amy A. Howell. Even last year, the program received an unprecedented number of applications upon expanding the number of available positions from 40 to 50.

IOP Director Bill Purcell largely attributed the spike in application numbers to students’ increased focus on public service. The faltering economy and difficult job market have also contributed to college students’ growing interest in public service careers, Purcell said.

“I think that the financial crisis definitely has a huge impact, but the impact isn’t just that people can’t get well-paying jobs in the private sector,” said IOP President Kenzie Bok ’11. “It’s also that when people think about what kind of meaningful work they could be doing, there’s been a swing back towards the public sector.”

In response to the increase in interest, the IOP is considering offering a larger number of internships next year and hiring a public service career counselor, according to Purcell.

The IOP has been committed to maintaining the number of Director’s Internships in spite of the University’s recent financial constraints and widespread budget cuts, Purcell said. He added that career services is an area in which the IOP can increase its contributions to the College.

The internship program offers Harvard undergraduates a $4,000 stipend for eight- to ten-week internships at domestic or international political or public service organizations. It includes placements at The Colbert Report, the offices of Mass. Governor Deval L. Patrick ’78, and Parliamentary offices in Great Britain.

Purcell said that the IOP has worked to create an offering of internships that represents a diverse array of political opportunities—including new placements at the Republican National Committee and the offices of New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Christopher W. Danello ’12, the IOP’s student chair of internships, said that the greater diversity of programming has attracted more applicants. He added that students are attracted to the hands-on experience afforded by Director’s Internships.

“It’s not just doing the menial tasks that a lot of internships in politics for college students are,” Danello said.

While the deadline for most applications passed last Friday, applications to Google and EchoDitto—a Cambridge-based internet-strategy firm—are due Mar. 1.

—Staff writer Stephanie B. Garlock can be reached at sgarlock@college.harvard.edu.