Spring 2026, Research and Events Internship, Foreign Policy (Job ID: 2026-3741)

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 msaters degree with an interest in U.S. foreign policy and Middle East Studies 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 $18.00, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 20 hours 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

The intern will work and learn in Foreign Policy at Brookings (FP) and will support research and activities on a broad range of foreign policy issues, which may include the politics, economics, and security trends in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and other regions such as Europe; critical global issues such as energy security, climate policy, and emerging technologies; tools and levers of U.S. foreign policy such as sanctions, U.S. foreign assistance (security and civilian assistance), public diplomacy and leadership in multilateral institutions. Interns will have the opportunity to contribute to research projects on emerging issues in Middle East Politics, with a focus on conflicts in the region, and state transitions in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. Interns may also be asked to help to analyze qualitative and quantitative data related to energy security, climate change and private sector efforts across the Middle East and North Africa.

The intern will acquire substantive professional experience while working with staff and scholars in Foreign Policy at Brookings to assist with programmatic and administrative work, event coordination, and research support. The intern will hone organizational, analytical, and professional interpersonal skills, and assist FP in its mission to foster high-level research, analysis, and engagement on pressing foreign policy challenges. The intern will be asked to produce written products on a weekly basis for internal use.

Interns will gain first-hand experience helping to develop, refine, and publish U.S. foreign policy proposals and support the logistical planning and implementation of conferences, roundtables, briefings, and other meetings; monitoring current developments in relevant research areas across multiple news sources; writing, fact-checking, and editing research materials; collecting, reviewing, summarizing, and assembling relevant academic and non-academic sources relevant to the research topic; and providing general administrative support.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills

Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, or graduate students pursuing a masters degree, working towards a degree in a relevant field (i.e. international relations, Middle East Studies, Political Science, or related field) are encouraged to apply.  Strong writing, research, communication, and organizational skills are essential; the intern will be expected to understand and carry out assignments.

Additionally, qualified applicants will have a demonstrated research interest in one or more of the following areas: U.S. national security policy, the politics and security of the modern Middle East and North Africa; the geopolitics of energy security; U.S. foreign assistance, including security assistance. Familiarity with major news outlets and key regional issues across the Middle East is required.

Previous editing and proofreading experience are required; experience writing for publication, such as student research or journalism, is preferred. Additionally, proficiency in Arabic language skills and previous experience working for a senior principal, such as in-school research assistance, are desirable. 

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.