2026 Summer Associate Program

Institute for Defense Analyses • Alexandria, VA

116d • $20 - $40

About The Position

The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is now accepting applications for our 2026 Summer Associate Program. This Program provides students with a unique opportunity to use their quantitative and analytic skills to work on challenging real-world national security issues. The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a not-for-profit corporation that operates Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Staff at the IDA Systems and Analyses Center (SAC) provide objective analyses of national security issues, particularly those requiring scientific and technical expertise, and conduct related research on other national challenges. The Systems and Analyses Center, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is comprised of seven research divisions: Cost Analysis and Research Division, Information Technology and Systems Division, Global Dynamics and Intelligence Division, Joint Advanced Warfighting Division, Operational Evaluation Division, Strategy, Forces and Resources Division, and Science, Systems and Sustainment Division. Each year, IDA hires paid student associates at its Virginia location to work for a minimum of 10 weeks during the summer months. Associates will work with their supervisor to identify their start and end dates. If their academic calendar permits, associates must be present during the 8-week core period, which runs from the beginning of June to the end of July. However, we offer flexibility for associates to start sooner or later depending on their availability. An additional 2 weeks (or more) either before or after the core period is required for a complete 10-week internship. In some cases opportunities exist for associates to work a few weeks longer than the 10-week minimum. We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $20.00-$40.00 per hour. Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors. Associates are responsible for living expenses during the summer.

Requirements

• Strong academic background.
• Graduate students preferred, but rising senior undergraduates will be considered.
• Must be returning to an academic institution in the fall.
• Submission of a resume and transcripts is required.
• Eligibility for access to classified information.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

• Disciplines such as computer science, information technology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, operations research, aero/astronautical engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering, materials science, statistics, economics, social and behavioral sciences, human resources, security, international relations, policy studies, and finance.
• Focus in data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, library and information science, English, history, and related fields.

Responsibilities

• Work on challenging real-world national security issues.
• Conduct objective analyses of national security issues.
• Engage in research related to national challenges.

Benefits

• Paid internship.
• Flexibility in start and end dates.
• Opportunity to work longer than the minimum internship duration.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees