2027 Communications, Development, or State Engagement Internships (Undergraduate & Graduate Students)

Center for Democracy & Technology • Washington, DC

7d

About The Position

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is accepting applications for summer 2027 internships for students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs and interested in technology policy, human rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. This is a 10-week opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real policy and nonprofit environment. Interns work closely with CDT’s Communications, Development & External Affairs (DEAL), or State Engagement teams. The listing covers three distinct internships; applicants should specify which internship or combination of internships they are interested in.

Interns may edit reports, draft social media copy, staff in-person and online events, support strategic communications, maintain a state legislation tracking system, research state policy approaches, engage with policymakers and coalition partners, research development prospects, support grant applications, and assist with fundraising. Interns and fellows also conduct research, produce independent writing, attend events and strategy meetings, and join meetings with outside stakeholders as appropriate. CDT’s policy areas include AI governance, consumer privacy, online expression, digital surveillance, civic technology, and elections and democracy.

The Communications team develops, produces, and distributes CDT’s work and promotes its reputation as a nonpartisan nonprofit advancing civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. It reaches audiences through traditional press, social media, email, podcasts, and the web, and translates complex issues for key audiences.

The Development & External Affairs team handles fundraising, donor relations, grants management, and stakeholder engagement. It works with policy, research, and executive teams to identify mission-aligned funders, cultivate relationships, and provide strategic advice. It also runs CDT’s Spring Fling and Tech Prom and manages external networks, including the Advisory Council, Non-Resident Fellows, and Collaborating Attorneys Network.

The State Engagement team advances CDT’s mission at the state level by tracking legislation, participating in coalition calls, and engaging coalition partners and state officials on issues including privacy, surveillance, free expression, elections, government use of technology, AI governance and regulation, and competition.

Internships usually begin after Memorial Day and last 10 weeks. Remote participation can be accommodated, but CDT encourages interns to work in person at its Washington, DC office. Interns who are not receiving funding from another source, such as a school stipend or fellowship, will receive a $7,500 stipend over the 10-week program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis beginning November 2, 2026, and close January 18, 2027. Interviews begin in January 2027, and offers are made between March and May. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; CDT cannot sponsor employment visas.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
• Interest in technology policy, human rights, civil rights, and civil liberties.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Ability to work independently on assigned projects.
• Genuine curiosity and motivation to work at the intersection of technology, policy, civil rights, and civil liberties, with an imaginative approach to work.
• For Communications: superb writing skills, a personal commitment to grammatical accuracy, curiosity about new topics, a creative and proactive approach to problem solving, and interest in media, journalism, and policy communication.
• For Development & External Affairs: interest in engaging external stakeholders, desire to learn about nonprofit management and operations, and readiness to contribute in a team-first environment.
• For State Engagement: interest in technology policy and state-level advocacy, including tracking and prioritizing bills, outreach to state officials and coalition partners, and drafting analysis of policy trends and developments; ability to work independently and collaboratively; and commitment to CDT’s mission.
• Authorization to work in the United States; CDT is unable to sponsor an employment visa.

Responsibilities

• Edit CDT reports and draft social media copy.
• Staff in-person and online events and support strategic communications.
• Support CDT’s state legislation tracking system and research approaches to state policy across CDT’s issue areas.
• Engage with state-level policymakers and coalition partners.
• Research development prospects, support grant applications, and assist with fundraising.
• Conduct research and produce independent writing.
• Attend events and strategy meetings and participate in meetings with outside stakeholders as appropriate.
• For Communications: help develop, produce, and distribute CDT’s work and communicate complex issues to key audiences through press, social media, email, podcasts, and web.
• For Development & External Affairs: support fundraising, donor relations, grants management, stakeholder engagement, fundraising events, and external networks.
• For State Engagement: track legislation, participate in coalition calls, and engage with coalition partners and state-level government officials.

Benefits

• A $7,500 stipend over the 10-week program for interns who are not receiving funding from another source, such as a school stipend or fellowship.
• Remote participation can be accommodated.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed