Spring 2026, Research & Events Internship, Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Foreign Policy (Job ID 2026-3723)

The Brookings Institution • DC

90d • $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 master's degree with an interest in one or more of the following areas—national security, U.S. defense policy, nonstate armed actors—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 24 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule. 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 and graduate students pursuing a degree in international affairs, foreign policy, history, political science, international law, international political economy, or related fields.
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following research areas: national security, U.S. defense policy, nuclear policy, maritime security, illicit economies, or nonstate armed actors.
• English fluency required.
• Located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.
• Successful completion of a background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Focus on a broad range of foreign policy and national security issues, including U.S. defense modernization and innovation, nonstate armed actors, nuclear issues, global governance, and security cooperation.
• Conduct research on additional security issues.
• Monitor current developments in relevant research areas.
• Conduct qualitative/quantitative research.
• Produce written briefings and memos.
• Brief support staff and senior fellows.
• Summarize and synthesize documents.
• Edit publications.
• Help staff Brookings events.
• Attend additional external think tank events.
• Maintain databases.
• Conduct additional administrative tasks related to web-postings and logistical tasks related to events featuring guest speakers.
• Translate documents depending on foreign language abilities.

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