Spring 2027, Democracy Resilience Research Internship, Governance Studies (Job ID 2026-3916)

Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings - one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

Interns spend approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills.

Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution. 

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students with an interest in Global anti-corruption, democracy, and security efforts to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit our Careers page for current open positions. This internship pays an hourly rate of $18.40, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 32 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here.

This position is full-time and requires a minimum of 32 hours per week; 40 hours is preferred. For this hybrid internship, please note that working at least three days in-office per week is required. The topic areas associated with this project include but are not limited to: Democracy resilience, anti-corruption, and security efforts, including legal and political accountability; open government, government ethics, and transparency, accountability, and participation (TAP) initiatives; and financial transparency, financial integrity, and financial inclusion initiatives.

Interns will have the opportunity to learn and/or strengthen a variety of research and analysis skills, such as conducting background research for and fact-checking articles, papers, and other publications (examples from past internship cycles include the 2025 Democracy Playbook and articles related to democracy resilience issues); drafting policy memos and fact sheets; assisting with data collection/entry; formatting citations, editing, and providing other general research support; building annotated bibliographies; compiling bios and developing topic syntheses/backgrounders in advance of stakeholder meetings; providing assistance with social media and event planning; developing questions for key informant interviews; preparing meeting transcripts and readouts; and assisting with other event logistics.

Please be advised that Brookings is currently implementing a multi-year strategic plan that includes changes to our organizational structure. As this work continues, the program associated with this internship may change between the time of application and the internship start date. While the program may change, the work/research area described in this posting and the team associated with that work are expected to remain the same. Candidates will be informed of any relevant updates during the recruitment process and prior to the start of the internship.

Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year as well as recent undergraduate and graduate students (i.e., individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year) working toward a degree in public policy, political science, history, philosophy, pre-law, economics, and/or a related field are encouraged to apply.

Our most successful interns have:

• A demonstrated interest in democratic resilience; rule of law; anti-corruption; politics; transparency, accountability, and participation; and/or related governance issues;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Strong writing, analytical, critical thinking, and internet-based research skills;
• Experience with fact-checking, data entry, citations, and editing;
• Familiarity with data collection, Excel, and/or database management;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Capacity to work well independently and with other team members;
• Eagerness to contribute to a fast-paced work environment and willingness to adapt; and
• Ability to manage competing priorities and evolving assignments.

This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings.

As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.