Spring 2026, Democracy Resilience Research Internship, Governance Studies (Job ID 2026-3733)

The Brookings Institution

96d • $18

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 12 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. This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students pursuing a masters degree with an interest in Global anti-corruption, democracy, and security efforts 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 $18.00, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 32 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

Requirements

• Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, graduate students pursuing a masters degree, or recent graduates working toward a degree in public policy, political science, history, philosophy, pre-law, economics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in democratic resilience, elections, rule of law, anti-corruption, politics, transparency, accountability, and participation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong writing, analytical, critical thinking, and internet-based research skills.
• Experience with fact-checking, data entry, citations, and editing.
• Familiarity with data collection, Excel, and/or database management.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Capacity to work well independently and with other team members.
• Eagerness to contribute to a fast-paced work environment and willingness to adapt.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and evolving assignments.

Responsibilities

• Provide research support to scholars and staff associated with the Anti-Corruption, Democracy, and Security (ACDS) project.
• Conduct background research for and fact-check articles, papers, and other publications.
• Draft policy memos and fact sheets.
• Assist with data collection/entry.
• Format citations, edit, and provide general research support.
• Build annotated bibliographies.
• Compile bios and develop topic syntheses/backgrounders for stakeholder meetings.
• Assist with social media and event planning.
• Develop questions for key informant interviews.
• Prepare meeting transcripts and readouts.
• Assist with other event logistics.

Benefits

• Hourly pay of $18.00.
• Opportunity to network with other interns.
• Professional development workshops.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree