Spring 2026, Government Affairs Internship, Office of Communications (Job ID 2025-3728)

Overview

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 pursuing a masters degree with an interest in government affairs and/or policy communications to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. Recent graduates (no more than one year from date of graduation) are also eligible to apply. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit our Careers page for current open positions. This internship pays an hourly rate of $18.00 and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 30 hours, with at least 10 in office, per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here. 

Position Location: This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Please only apply if you can live and work in states other than those listed above for the duration of the internship. 

Responsibilities

Do you follow Congress or your favorite policymakers on social media? Have you thought about how you can contribute to the policy debate or positively impact the discourse? You might be the perfect fit for the Government Affairs (GA) Team. The Government Affairs (GA) Team closely follows the debate and the decisionmakers who are informing policy. We are connecting Brookings’ scholars and research to policymakers and key elected officials, creating opportunities for discussion, and we need your help! Join the GA Team for approximately 12 weeks, working alongside experts in Congressional and legislative engagement, event and social media specialists, and Brookings’ staff that are leading policy discussions and delivering expert research.  

As a GA Intern, you will have the opportunity to: 

• Monitor and track federal, state and local legislation and key legislators, 

• Develop and execute events on key policy issues on Capitol Hill and at Brookings 

• Research, prepare and possibly attend Congressional hearings with GA Staff 

• Work across the Communications Department in service of communicating Brookings’ work on new platforms with non-traditional and targeted audiences. 

Responsibilities include working with the GA Team to execute Brookings’ Scholar Engagement and Institutional plans, staffing and preparing for daily meetings, briefings, hearings and events showcasing Brookings’ scholars and research, and supporting research, audience and other relevant research. 

Specifically, the GA intern should be prepared to:  

• Monitor and track federal, state and local legislation and key legislators 

• Develop and execute events on key policy issues on Capitol Hill and at Brookings 

• Research, prepare and possibly attend Congressional hearings with GA Staff 

• Work across the Communications Department in service of communicating Brookings’ work on new platforms with non-traditional and targeted audiences. 

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills: 

Underfraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students pursuing a masters degree working towards a degree in political science, public policy or administration, international affairs or similar fields should apply.  Recent college graduates (no more than one year from date of graduation) are also eligible to apply. 

We are looking for applicants with passion for politics, strong writing skills and follow-through, problem-solving and organizational skills.  Our best interns possess a fine attention to detail, enjoy a fast-paced environment, open to learn and are strong communicators.   

Additional Information: 

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. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and include your cover letter as a separate attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals. Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.  

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.   

Please note: Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2025. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted. 

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, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, 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. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.