Internships in the US - Think Tanks and Public Policy
From CareersWiki
This list is by no means exhaustive. It is simply designed to serve as a starting point. Also see Government, Civil Service, and Public Affairs. For general information, visit Internships in the US.
Advocates for Youth-General Internship
- Advocates for Youth's program and policy departments promote the health of adolescents worldwide with a focus on the prevention of unintended teenage pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Various paid and unpaid positions are available.
- Contact: Director of Internships at E-mail: info@advocatesforyouth.org
The African-America Institute
- AAI's programs aim to encourage greater understanding of Africa among a wide spectrum of Americans and to bring American and African policy makers together to focus on issues of mutual concern.
- Various unpaid internships offered. Send Resume and Cover Letter to aainy@aaionline.org.
Alliance for Justice
- The Alliance for Justice is a national association of environmental, civil rights, women's rights, consumer, and other nonprofit advocacy organizations.
- Interns will gain experience working with professional staff in the Grassroots, Communications, and Development departments. Additionally, interns may attend congressional hearings and public events, giving them the opportunity to network within DC's political climate.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW)
- AAUW aims to provide support and advancement for women in higher education, to conduct research on equity in education for women and girls, and to provide funds and a support system for women seeking judicial redress for sex discrimination in higher education.
- Various unpaid positions available in program, leadership, public policy and government relations.
American Bar Association
- Various paid and unpaid positions available on a rolling basis in different departments.
The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
- The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research is a not-for-profit institution dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics, and social welfare.
- Various unpaid internships offered in the areas of economic policy, foreign and defense studies, social and political studies, public relations and communications.
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)
- ALEC aims to promote the principles of federalism by developing and promoting policies that reflect the Jeffersonian principles that the powers of government are derived from, and assigned to, first the People, then the States, and finally the National Government.
- Various internships with stipends are available on a rolling basis. For more information and application procedures, visit the website or email info@alec.org
Arms Control Association
- Three opportunities - research intern, journalism intern, and peace fellow
- Open to undergraduates, postgraduates and recent graduates, but best suited for undergraduates
- Paid and unpaid positions
ASPIRA Association, Inc.-Public Policy Internship
- ASPIRA, a national non-profit organization devoted to serving Latino youth through leadership development and education, offers a public policy internship to an undergraduate or graduate student with an interest in issues that affect, and are important to, the Latino community in the United States.
- The intern will conduct research for public policy briefs addressing important topics affecting the Latino community, track federal legislation of importance to ASPIRA in the areas of education and human services, and assist in researching and developing new training materials and publications for programs.
The Atlantic Council of the United States
The Atlantic Council of the United States
- Open to undergraduates, postgraduates, and recent graduates
- Must be at least a penultimate
- Must be eligible to work in the United States
- Unpaid internships
BIPAC: Electing Business to Congress
- BIPAC is an independent, bipartisan organization supported by several hundred of the nation’s leading businesses and trade associations. Its supporters turn to BIPAC for astute analysis of candidates, leadership on political strategy and tactics, and identification of the most important Congressional races for business.
- BIPAC internships are unpaid or for course credit, but do include transportation stipends. Internships are available for full or part-time work
Bread for the World
- Bread for the World Institute seeks justice for hungry people by engaging in research and education on policies related to hunger and development.
- Intern positions are available in the Washington, D.C.
- Intern positions are available in the following departments: Communications, Government Relations, Grassroots Organizing and Bread for the World Institute. Length varies from three months to one year.
- Various paid and unpaid internships.
The Brookings Institution
- The Brookings Institution, a private, independent, non-profit research organization, seeks to improve the performance of American institutions, the effectiveness of government programs, and the quality of U.S. public policies.
- The Brookings Institution offers full-time and part-time unpaid internships to undergraduate and graduate students to provide them with the opportunity to work in a professional research organization which studies a wide variety of public policy issues.
The CATO Institute
- The Cato Institute seeks to broaden the parameters of public policy debate to allow consideration of the traditional American principles of limited government, individual liberty, free markets and peace.
- Internships in policy areas include such subjects as health care and entitlements reform, constitutional law, energy policy, and foreign and military policy. Interns assist department directors and research assistants with research and data collection.
- Small Stipend
The Center for Democracy and Technology
Center for Democracy and Technology
- The Center for Democracy and Technology works to promote democratic values and constitutional liberties in the digital age.
- Interns contribute substantially to our work on current areas of the Internet and technology policy debate, including free expression, privacy, and electronic surveillance and Internet governance. Interns conduct technical and policy research, draft reports and analyses, assist in the preparation of testimony, and help create online resources. They attend congressional, agency and court hearings and learn about the federal policy-making process.
- Unpaid position
Center for Science in the Public Interest
- CSPI is a national consumer organization conducting innovative research and advocacy programs in health, the environment, andnutrition. CSPI often stands alone in identifying critical food and health issues, alerting the public, and advocating changes in policy.
- Interns will work in a variety of areas, including nutrition policy, legal affairs, alcohol policy, food safety, grassroots organizing, and communications.
Center for Women Policy Studies
Center for Women Policy Studies
- Policy research and advocacy internships
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- The Center is one of the leading organizations in the country working on public policy issues affecting low-income families and individuals. The Center specializes in research and analysis geared toward practical policy decisions.
- The Center seeks highly motivated Interns in the following areas: communications; food stamps; health; housing; income security; international, federal, and state budgets and taxes; welfare; and other low-income initiatives.
The Child Welfare League of America
- CWLA, as part of its mission, sets internationally recognized standards for child welfare practice, proposes national public policy initiatives, publishes innovative child welfare materials, and provides consultation, training, and technical assistance to public and private child welfare agencies.
- Most projects relate to the program and policy areas and require a significant amount of research and writing. Interns often help staff monitor legislation, design and conduct surveys, develop funding proposals, and write issue briefs and other publications.
- Unpaid Internship Opportunities.
Children's Defense Fund
- Unpaid internships open to undergraduates
- Paid fellowships open to postgraduates
Choice, Leadership for a Pro-choice Future
- Interning for Choice USA offers participants an inside understanding of pro-choice politics in the nation's capital, and an opportunity to hone their professional skills in a fast-paced environment. Internships are offered in research, policy & program development and field projects.
- Various paid and unpaid Internships offered.
Citizens for Tax Justice
- Citizens for Tax Justice offers low- and middle-income working Americans a greater voice in the crafting of tax policy at the federal, state, and local levels.
- Interns will assist with lobbying and research efforts
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Competitive Enterprise Institute
- Open to undergraduates, postgraduates and recent graduates
- Interns receive a modest stipend to cover living expenses
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)-Summer Internship Program
Congressional Caucus Institute
- The CHCI Summer Internship Program provides 30 undergraduates from across the country, including Puerto Rico, the opportunity to spend two months in Washington, DC getting a "behind the scenes" look at how the U.S. government functions.
- Students are assigned to congressional offices where they work on constituent communications, monitor hearings, conduct legislative research, and assist with general office operations.
- Interns receive housing, roundtrip transportation, and a stipend.
Dominican Internship Program
- The Dominican Internship Program (DIP) coordinates 12 summer internship positions for Dominican students in Washington, DC.
- Interns are placed in congressional offices, federal agencies, national or international organizations, and receive housing with host families, instruction through the Dominican Studies Institute at CUNY (academic credits available), and a partial stipend for local expenses.
- Applicants must attend college outside the Washington, DC area and be of Dominican heritage.
Freedom Works
- Work hours and issue areas are flexible
- Internships are unpaid
Google Policy Fellowship
- Offers students interested in Internet and technology policy the opportunity to spend the summer working on these issues at public interest organizations in either Washington, DC, San Francisco, CA, Toronto, or Ottawa, Canada.
- 10 weeks over the summer.
- First year, sophomore, junior, and senior students work at public interest organizations and conduct research and analysis, draft reports and attend conferences on issues related to the future of the Internet and its users
- You must be eligible to work in the U.S. or Canada
- Stipend of $7,000 for 10 weeks
The Heritage Foundation
- Undergraduate internships and postgraduate fellowships in various policy areas
- Paid positions
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)-National Internship Program
- The internship program gives students direct experience in a diversity of careers in the federal and corporate sectors. Past intern assignments have included completing and analyzing research, writing speeches, conducting audits, performing land surveys, creating web pages, conducting community health surveys, and developing outreach strategies for under-served populations.
- Internships are available throughout the year. Interns receive round-trip transportation and a weekly stipend.
- Contact: HACU National Internship Program, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 605, Washington, DC 20036, Tel: (202) 467-0893, Fax: (202) 496-9177
Institute for Humane Studies-Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program
- The Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program provides students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in policy research, media relations, and opinion writing. The fellows intern in a market-based policy institute and work with top policy experts, journalists, academics, and their peers studying critical issues of public policy.
- Fellows receive a $1,500 stipend, housing, roundtrip transportation, and career workshops.
Institute for Humane Studies - Journalism Internships Program
- Internships in public policy, journalism, and film and production
- Positions for undergraudate and postgraduate students
- Paid opportunities
The Institute for Policy Studies
The Institute for Policy Studies
- The nation's oldest and largest multi-issue think tank promoting progressive thought has internships in various areas. Since 1963, the Institute has worked with social movements to forge viable and sustainable policies to promote democracy, justice, human rights, and diversity
- Work may include research, writing, and organizing the film series, networking, conferences, and panel discussions. Interns will also compile a progressive legislation list, do a policy analysis, and attend hearings
- Unpaid internships
Institute for Sustainable Communities
Institute for Sustainable Communities
- Must be able to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week for up to ten weeks
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Unpaid positions but reimbursements may be available for transportation
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
- Research major domestic public policy issues such as voting rights, employment, census data analysis, social and economic consequences of an aging population.
- Commitment to a minimum of 6 weeks in residence and a 25 hour work week
Legal Momentum
- Established by the National Organization for Women (NOW) as a separate organization, the Legal Momentum pursues equality for women and girls in the workplace, school, family, and courts through legal, education, advocacy, and public information programs.
- Legal Momentum offers various internships, including a public policy internship and a legal internship.
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
- Open to undergraduates
- Summer internships are full-time for 10-12 weeks adjustable to the student's academic schedule
- Summer interns are paid a weekly stipend
National Academy of Social Insurance - Nathan J. Stark Internship for Non-profit Development
- NASI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization devoted to furthering knowledge and understanding of social insurance programs.
- The program is based at NASI with a rotation to development projects at similar nonprofit organizations such as the National Health Policy Forum and the Association for Academic Health Centers.
- The internship includes an honorarium and the opportunity to participate in a series of seminars and projects.
National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI)-Washington Internship on Social Insurance
- NASI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization devoted to furthering knowledge and understanding of social insurance programs.
- Interns receive a stipend for their 12 weeks of work.
- Prospective placements include the House Ways and Means Committee, the AFL-CIO, and the Brookings Institution.
National Center for Policy Analysis
National Center for Policy Analysis
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Various positions available in their Dallas headquarters and in Washington, DC
National League of Cities
- Each semester, the National League of Cities offers a limited number of internship opportunities in the areas of education, information resources, policy and federal relations, public affairs, research and program development, and youth, education, and families.
- Contact: National League of Cities, 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 550, Washington, DC 20044, Tel: (202) 626-3000, Fax: (202) 626-3043, E-mail: suber@nlc.org
National Organization for Women (NOW)
National Organization for Women (NOW)
- Open to undergraduates, postgraduates, and recent graduates
- Unpaid positions
National Partnership for Women and Families
- The National Partnership for Women and Families is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that uses public education and advocacy to promote fairness in the workplace, quality health care, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work and family.
- Internships are unpaid, offered throughout the year, and available for academic credit.
National Puerto Rican Coalition (NPRC)-Public Policy Internship
National Puerto Rican Coalition
- The National Puerto Rican Coalition provides college students the opportunity to learn about the federal government and its impact on the Puerto Rican/Latino community through its Public Policy Internship program.
- The internship provides students hands-on experience in formulating advocacy strategies that benefit the Puerto Rican/Latino community. Interns will be responsible for writing articles for ¡Adelante!, NPRC's student newsletter, researching federal legislation, attending coalition meetings and congressional hearings, and providing administrative support.
National Women’s Center
- The Center is a legal advocacy organization working to advance the rights of women, particularly the rights of low-income women and girls. The Center's work focuses on major concerns for women and girls, including: education, employment, economic security, and health.
- Interns will be assigned to one staff mentor, but may work with several staff members. Interns' work may include researching and drafting pleadings or fact sheets, analyzing legislation and regulations, helping develop litigation, researching legislative history, and attending legislative proceedings.
People for the American Way (PFAW)
- The organization promotes respect for diversity and a culture of opportunity and tolerance.
- Interns assist with grassroots organizing, media and online communications, tracking legislation, research, and writing.
The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies
The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies
- Individuals enrolled in or having completed university studies with a specific interest in science and technology, public policy, and national security are encouraged to apply
- Internships are unpaid
Progressive Policy Institute
- Internships available in various policy areas
- Internships are unpaid, but interns are given a $40 a month transportation subsidy
The Project On Government Oversight (POGO)
The Project on Government Oversight
- Interns assist in researching government subservience to special interests
- Interns must be able to commit to work for three months at a time, though scheduling can be flexible
- $500 stipend available
The Public Forum Institute
- Open to undergraduates
- Summer internships are full-time
- Internships are unpaid
Public / Private Ventures
- Full-time for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer
- Based in New York City
- Paid position
The R. Scott Hitt Internship in Leadership Development
- Prepares future leaders for lasting leadership roles within organizations that support the LGBT movement
- 7 to 9 month program includes a combination of leadership, development, organizational management, networking and professional development training from host organizations
- Paid position
Stateline.org
- Paid internships for students interested in politics, public policy and online journalism
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students
Taxpayers for Common Sense
- Taxpayers for Common Sense is a non-partisan budget watchdog dedicated to cutting wasteful spending and subsidies in order to achieve a responsible and efficient government that operates within its means.
- Interns assist with research, writing, and outreach on target issues (including national security, energy, forests, and water management) and/or assist with media relations and development.
- Contact: Autumn Hanna, Taxpayers for Common Sense, 651 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20003, Tel: (202)546-8500; jobs@taxpayer.net
The Urban Institute
- Although the Urban Institute does not have a formal internship program, we do hire research assistants on a temporary basis for full-time and part-time assignments during the academic year and during the summer
- Qualified candidates should be enrolled in an ungraduate program in Economics, Mathematics, Statistics, Sociology, Public Policy, Computer Science, or other social science field with strong quantitative and analytical skills, library and Internet research experience
Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA)
- WOLA's internship program gives interns a wide range of exposure to the foreign policy-making process and aims to familiarize students with current events in Latin America through regular meetings with WOLA’s policy-making associates, NGO coalition meetings, brown bag lunches, and congressional hearings.
- Interns are involved in producing detailed research on a specific topic that will be used in WOLA's advocacy work. Internships are offered in the summer, fall, and spring, but are not paid. Applicants must be undergraduate students.
Women's Research and Education Institute (WREI)
- The Women's Research and Education Institute (WREI) is a non-profit and non-partisan organization that provides information and analyses on issues of concern to women, policy makers, and others interested in women's issues.
- WREI offers unpaid internships to current undergraduate students who have completed at least one year of college. Interns assist WREI staff on various projects.
- Depending on the time of the year and what projects are on the "front burner," interns may help organize Capitol Hill briefings and conferences on key issues, prepare fact sheets on various topics, assist with preparations for fundraising events, and represent WREI at Washington-area seminars and other events.
