Education Communications Research Associate Intern (Summer 2026) Master's Students

American Institutes for Research • Rockville, MD

16h • $25 - $25 • Remote

About The Position

Join AIR as an Education Communications Research Associate Intern and use your skills and curiosity to help us deliver on our mission: to generate evidence and apply data‑driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all. This internship is open to students who are currently pursuing their master’s degree and looking to gain applied experience in education research and communications. The intern will provide communications support to various projects and initiatives at AIR. This role involves contributing to communications strategies to support AIR staff in research and technical assistance recruitment and dissemination, as well as contributing to the development of reports and presentations. The intern will gain hands‑on experience in a professional environment and have the opportunity to work with experts in the field.
The Education Systems and Policy Program focuses on conducting research and evaluations and providing support and technical assistance to states, districts, and schools on a broad range of Kindergarten through Postsecondary education policies, strategies, and interventions.
This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of AIR’s U.S. office locations but requires availability to participate in meetings across all continental U.S. time zones. This does not include U.S. territories.
About AIR:
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Requirements

• Must be a current student pursuing a Master’s degree in such fields as Education Policy, Public Policy, or Communications.
• Understanding of communications techniques.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to collaborate efficiently in a virtual work environment.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when writing.

Responsibilities

• Assist in conducting literature reviews to support research projects and proposals.
• Participate in the dissemination of research and evaluations.
• Support a variety of communications strategies to reach specific audiences – including policymakers, practitioners, and other beneficiaries.
• Support the development of reports, presentations, and other project deliverables.
• Collaborate with team members to ensure timely completion of project tasks.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and training sessions.
• Provide administrative support as needed.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern