Summer 2026, Research & Project Coordination Internship, Center for Sustainable Development, Global Economy and Development (Job ID 2026-3803)

The Brookings Institution • Washington, DC

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings - one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks! Interns spend approximately 1 2 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world . Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre -professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills. Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution. The Global Economy and Development (“Global”) program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress. This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year with an interest in global sustainable development, local government, and rural policy to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit our Careers page for current open positions. This internship pays an hourly rate of $ 1 8.00 , and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 40 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule. To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here. Position Location : This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Please only apply if you can live and work in states other than those listed above for the duration of the internship .

Requirements

• Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year completing a degree in a relevant field or with relevant other experience (i.e. political science, public policy, economics, economic development, etc.).
• Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in public policy, promoting equity, and ideally in creating local, regional, and national policies that eliminate poverty and sources of distress in rural U.S. communities.
• Applicants must have some knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods research, and experience in conducting literature searches and review.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills required.
• Additionally, applicants must have prior meeting or event coordination experience and a strong attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

• Quantitative research experience (economic analysis, experience working with federal spending data, quantitative analysis of policy impact) a plus.

Responsibilities

• General research and writing: The intern will assist a senior fellow of the Reimagining Rural Policy initiative with a project to reimagine federal policy for rural community and economic development, alongside other projects. Examples of anticipated tasks include literature review, conducting data searches, data analysis, database updates, bibliographic support, fact-checking, and contributing to blogs, research briefs, and presentations.
• Event Coordination and Administrative Support: During the internship period, there will be virtual meetings and events for which the intern will provide support through drafting invitations, tracking registration, communication with external stakeholders, and coordinating travel. The intern will also support the scholar by creating PowerPoints, drafting public remarks, and scheduling meetings.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees