Spring 2026, Research Internship, Brown Center on Education Policy, Governance Studies (Job ID 2026-3737)

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 education policy 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 position is open to hybrid and/or remote applicants. Hybrid work combines 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

Interns will have the opportunity to apply and develop a variety of research skills when conducting work such as policy landscapes, literature reviews, data collection, coding, and general research support. Interns will also lead a weekly briefing on education-related news items and recent research. The topic areas of work include, but are not limited to, teacher workforce policies, K-12 education governance and politics, access and success in higher education, and school discipline policies. Interns will have the chance to perform substantive research, which includes contributing to Brookings publications, and work with top education policy experts.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students working towards a degree in public policy, education, political science, economics, sociology, and/or other social sciences are encouraged to apply. Recent graduates are also welcome. Our most successful interns have strong writing, analytical, and research skills, preferably demonstrated through prior independent research or research assistant experience. A strong sense of curiosity and interest in education policy, together with careful attention to detail, are also valued. Experience using Microsoft Excel is required, and experience with Stata is a plus.

Additional Information: 

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

Interns can work in person at the Brookings office in Washington, D.C., or remotely. Preference is given to applicants who can commit to working at least one day per week in the office, but remote-only applicants will be considered as well.

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.  

We ask that all applicants include the following information in their cover letter:

• What topics or policy areas in education are you most interested in?
• How would an internship with the Brown Center help advance your career goals?
• How many hours per week would you be able to work, and which work mode would you prefer (in-person/hybrid/remote-only)?

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.