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

Center for Democracy & Technology•Washington, DC

About The Position

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is accepting applications for summer 2027 internships for currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students interested in technology policy, human rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. The 10-week program gives students an opportunity to apply classroom learning in policy and nonprofit settings. Interns work with CDT’s Communications, Development & External Affairs, or State Engagement teams on projects spanning the organization’s policy areas, including AI governance, consumer privacy, online expression, digital surveillance, civic technology, and elections and democracy. Interns and fellows conduct research, produce independent writing, attend events, participate in strategy meetings, and join meetings with outside stakeholders as appropriate. The Communications team works across CDT to develop, produce, and distribute its work and promote the organization’s reputation. It reaches audiences through traditional press, social media, email, podcasts, and the web, translating complex issues for key audiences. The Development & External Affairs team handles fundraising, donor relations, grants management, and stakeholder engagement; identifies mission-aligned funders; and supports the organization’s impact and influence. It also runs CDT’s Spring Fling and Tech Prom and manages external networks. The State Engagement team advances CDT’s mission at the state level by tracking legislation, participating in coalition calls, and engaging with coalition partners and state officials on CDT policy issues. Typical tasks may include editing reports; drafting social media copy; staffing in-person and online events; supporting strategic communications; supporting a state legislation tracking system; researching state policy approaches; engaging with policymakers and coalition partners; researching development prospects; supporting grant applications; and assisting with fundraising. Applicants should specify which internship or combination of internships interests them. Applications require a current resume and a cover letter explaining the applicant’s interest and answering the provided writing prompt about distilling a complex policy topic for different audiences. 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. Internships usually begin after Memorial Day and last 10 weeks. Remote participation can be accommodated, though in-person participation at CDT’s Washington, DC, office is encouraged. Interns without funding from another source receive a $7,500 stipend over the program.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
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.
Submit a current resume and a cover letter explaining interest in a CDT internship and responding to the writing prompt.
International applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; CDT cannot sponsor an employment visa.

Nice To Haves

Communications candidates: superb writing skills, a deep personal commitment to grammatical pedantry, curiosity about new topics, a can-do attitude, creative problem-solving skills, and an interest in media, journalism, and policy communication.
Development & External Affairs candidates: interest in developing and executing stakeholder-engagement strategies, desire to learn about nonprofit management and operations, and readiness to contribute in a team-first atmosphere.
State Engagement candidates: 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 with a team; and commitment to CDT’s mission.

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.
Research state policy approaches across CDT’s issue areas.
Engage with state-level policymakers and coalition partners.
Research development prospects and support grant applications and fundraising.
Conduct research and produce independent writing.
Attend events, participate in strategy meetings, and join meetings with outside stakeholders as appropriate.