Spring 2026, Research Internship, Center for Economic Security and Opportunity, Economic Studies (Job ID 2025-3719)

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 the economics of education, immigration, and the U.S. safety net 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; applicants must be willing to commit to working at least 20 hours per week, with some flexibility around an academic course schedule. The applicant must be available for regular meetings during business hours Eastern Time, but otherwise work hours are flexible. 

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 Center for Economic Security and Opportunity (CESO) produces data-driven, non-partisan analysis to address challenging U.S. social policy questions. This internship is an opportunity for students to explore the economics of education, immigration, and the U.S. safety net within a professional research environment. This position requires a strong foundation in the principles of quantitative analysis and is best suited for junior or senior undergraduate students in economics or in a related field like mathematics, statistics, or public policy.

Applicants must be willing to commit to working at least 25 hours per week, with some flexibility around an academic course schedule (full-time availability preferred). The applicant must be available for regular meetings during business hours Eastern Time, but otherwise work hours are flexible. Availability to work a hybrid schedule based in our Washington, DC offices strongly preferred. This internship pays $18/hr.

Applicants should expect a range of responsibilities, broadly defined under the following categories:

Literature review and writing: Intern will assist with collecting, summarizing, and critically evaluating research.

Data cleaning and analysis: Intern may be expected to collect, clean, and analyze data and create graphs and tables for papers, policy memos, presentations, and other products.

Event Staffing: Interns may help prepare materials for events and work at various aspects of the event, such as registration.

Administrative: The applicant should be prepared to help with general office support, assist with special projects, and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students pursuing a masters degree. Successful applicants will have: Completed at least two years of study toward an undergraduate degree in economics or a fundamentally related field; Taken introductory statistics, microeconomics, and macroeconomics; successful completion of an econometrics course is very strongly recommended; Achieved proficiency in STATA and Microsoft Excel; Strong writing and proofreading skills; A collaborative mindset, a commitment to accuracy, and a sincere desire to explore CESO’s areas of research. Please note that a cover letter is required; incomplete applications will not be considered.

 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.