The Niskanen Center is always searching for qualified interns to support our policy, outreach, and operations staff. Internship opportunities are available in these policy departments:

  • Climate;
  • Immigration;
  • Defense and Foreign Policy;
  • Technology;
  • Poverty and Welfare;
  • Regulation; and
  • Social and Economic Policy.

Additional opportunities are available in these non-policy departments:

  • Media/Digital Media;
  • Federal Affairs; and
  • Operations.

These are paid internships, based in our Washington, D.C. office.

Policy interns will be responsible for assisting in the generation of various types of content on a regular basis. They will also be tasked with assisting Niskanen Center scholars in researching and writing on various policy topics, and more general support tasks to be determined at the discretion of department supervisors. Candidates must be well-versed in their issue area and prepared to participate in meetings with congressional staffers and coalition partners. Ideal applicants will be capable of showcasing strong research and writing skills and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Media/Digital Media interns will help identify opportunities to promote policy research and content to the appropriate journalists, and track the Niskanen Center in the news. Candidates should have a strong understanding of social media best practices and strategy. Strong research and writing skills are required, and a degree in English, Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, and/or Marketing, while not required, is a plus.

Federal affairs interns will assist in promoting our policy work in the halls of Congress. Interns will conduct research on members of Congress and upcoming legislation, in addition to attending and monitoring congressional hearings. Previous experience on Capitol Hill is required.

Operations interns will assist on a variety of daily and weekly projects to ensure the organization is running smoothly. Candidates that are studying or have graduated with a business-related degree are preferred.

We accept internship applications on a rolling basis for the spring, summer, and fall semesters. The following program start and end dates for the 2018 – 2019 terms are as follows:

  • Fall 2018 term: September 10 – December 14
  • Spring 2019 term: February 4 – May 3 (Application deadline: November 24, 2018)
  • Summer 2019 term: June 3 – August 23

Although these are the formal start and end dates for each semester’s intern class, we are happy to consider alternative scheduling arrangements on a case-by-case basis.

If you’re interested in applying for a Niskanen Center internship, please email the following materials in one PDF to intern@niskanencenter.org:

  • A resume or CV;
  • The name of the department(s) and the semester term you are applying for (please include both in the email subject line);
  • Two short writing samples if applying for a policy position (less than 1,000 words each); and
  • A 300-word explanation of (1) why you want to intern at the Niskanen Center and (2) your interest in the department(s) you chose.

Additionally, please reference the department and semester term you’re applying for in the email subject field (i.e., if you want to be considered for the immigration department in spring 2019, you would type “Immigration, Spring 2019”). If you’re applying to multiple departments, put your top choice in the subject line. Incomplete applications, or those that fail to adhere to the above guidelines, will not be considered.