2027 Legal, Policy, Research, or Technologist Internships (Graduate Students)
About The Position
The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is accepting applications for 10-week summer 2027 internships for students currently enrolled in MA, MPP, JD, PhD, or dual-degree graduate programs. Interns apply classroom learning in real policy environments and work closely with CDT policy experts, researchers, technologists, and lawyers on civil rights, civil liberties, and international human rights issues related to technology policy. Topics include AI governance, consumer privacy, online expression, digital surveillance, equity in civic technology, competition, and elections. Interns are placed with at least one CDT team. Depending on their skills, expertise, and background, they may conduct qualitative or quantitative research, legal research and analysis, and research and writing about technical and policy issues. PhD students are generally placed in policy or research roles, law students in legal or policy roles, technologists in technical and policy roles, and policy students in policy roles. Interns conduct research, produce independent writing, attend events, participate in strategy meetings, and may join meetings with outside stakeholders. 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, such as a school stipend or fellowship, receive a $7,500 stipend for the 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 generally made between March and May.
Requirements
- Be currently enrolled in an MA, MPP, JD, PhD, or dual-degree program; undergraduate students are not eligible for this internship listing.
- Experience with legal or academic research tools.
- Excellent writing skills for technical, policy, and lay audiences.
- Ability to work independently on assigned projects.
- Curiosity and motivation to work at the intersection of technology, policy, civil rights, and civil liberties, with an imaginative approach to work.
- Understanding of how technology, policy, and law may have disparate impacts on individuals and communities based on race, gender, disability, income, immigration status, or other circumstances or characteristics.
- International applicants must be authorized to work in the United States; CDT is unable to sponsor employment visas.
Responsibilities
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, legal research and analysis, and research on technical and policy issues, depending on skills and placement.
- Produce independent writing for internship projects.
- Attend events and participate in strategy meetings.
- Join meetings with outside stakeholders as appropriate.
- Work closely with at least one CDT team on technology policy issues.
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.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
