Morning Edition & NPR Politics Internship - Fall 2026

NPR•Columbia, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This internship will be divided into two phases: first at Morning Edition, NPR’s weekday morning newsmagazine, and then at NPR’s Washington Desk, which covers the White House, Congress, politics, national security and other critical beats. From October through January, the intern will be at Morning Edition, where they will learn what it takes to put on a daily news magazine program, as well as learn the basics of radio production and editing. This will include learning to craft and pitch story ideas, helping identify guests for program interview segments, prepare questions for host interviews, assisting in the production of individual stories both inside the studio and in the field, working on digital stories and other tasks that may be assigned. In addition, the intern may have the opportunity to work the various show shifts and work on a longer-term project such as a host trip or special coverage involving the upcoming Midterm Elections. From January through April, the intern will be at the NPR Washington Desk, where they will continue to build on the skills they learned in the first part of the program. As NPR Politics Intern, they will play a key role in conducting research for reporters and editors, maintain the desk’s calendar of events, build clipboards for radio pieces, build digital story pages, log interviews, and have the opportunity to write for the web. Candidates must have a demonstrated interest in journalism, as well as government and politics. This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff is defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events. The intern will have the opportunity to experience and support the team's work in the following areas: Pitching ideas for host interviews on news and feature topics for Morning Edition, Pitching news and feature stories, Booking guests for the programs, including doing phone pre-interviews, Conduct research for Washington Desk editors and reporters, Assisting with the recording, producing and editing of host interviews and radio pieces, including learning how to gather sound in the field, build radio pieces, cut interviews, construct audio clipboards and log tape, Writing host copy and interview questions, Writing digital stories, Producing live and pre-recorded host interviews, including managing recordings and editing audio, Learning NPR News’ radio journalism ethical standards and practices, Developing radio reporting and producing skills that will prepare the intern for careers at NPR member stations and at NPR itself. All work performed by the intern is to be done under the close supervision of the host teams. The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Requirements

Strong interest and familiarity with news, politics, government and current events
Ability to own a task from concept to completion
Willingness to learn and interest in honing journalism, reporting, producing and editing skills
Excellent research skills and an eye for a new angle/perspective major news stories
The ability to find the right expert or first-person voice to illustrate a complicated news topic
Some journalism/news reporting (such as an internship at a local public radio station or a job at a college radio station)
A keen interest in journalism
Specific interest in public media
Resume
Cover Letter
Must be a current student in an accredited degree program or a recent graduate of no more than 12 months from the month of the start of the internship.

Responsibilities

Pitching ideas for host interviews on news and feature topics for Morning Edition
Pitching news and feature stories
Booking guests for the programs, including doing phone pre-interviews
Conduct research for Washington Desk editors and reporters
Assisting with the recording, producing and editing of host interviews and radio pieces, including learning how to gather sound in the field, build radio pieces, cut interviews, construct audio clipboards and log tape
Writing host copy and interview questions
Writing digital stories
Producing live and pre-recorded host interviews, including managing recordings and editing audio
Learning NPR News’ radio journalism ethical standards and practices
Developing radio reporting and producing skills that will prepare the intern for careers at NPR member stations and at NPR itself

Benefits

Eligible to make elective contributions to the NPR 403(b) retirement plan
Access to Transit Commuter benefits through HealthEquity
Membership with the Signal Financial Federal Credit Union
Free access to on-site Wellness Center (at DC Headquarters)
Free fitness center membership (at DC Headquarters)
Secure bike facilities (at DC Headquarters)
Garage parking (at DC Headquarters)
Onsite cafeteria (at DC Headquarters)
Employee Assistance Program with up to six face-to-face counseling sessions per issue
Global Guardian worldwide assistance
Business Travel Accident coverage
Holiday pay for 10 observed holidays plus one floating holiday per year (for interns working 30+ hours/week)
Accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave each pay period with no waiting period (for interns working 30+ hours/week)
Professional development opportunities
Flexible work hours
Telecommuting options