Summer 2026, Center for Effective Public Management Internship, Governance Studies (Job ID 2026-3787)

The Brookings Institution • Washington, DC

3d • $18 • 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. This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year with an interest in U.S. government and politics 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 35 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 with an interest in U.S. government and politics are encouraged to apply.
• Our most successful interns have strong writing ability and analytical skills, and research experience using qualitative and/or quantitative methods.
• This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.
• Successful completion of a background investigation is for interning at Brookings.
• Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume.
• Please submit your resume as instructed and include your cover letter as a separate attachment when you apply .
• You are required to submit /attach a separate cover letter for each internship application.
• Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals.
• Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.
• If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references .
• Applications will be accepted until February 22, 2026 .
• Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered.
• Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted .

Responsibilities

• The Center for Effective Public Management (CEPM) intern will have the opportunity to review and summarize literature, collect data, fact-check, track current events, monitor the congressional schedule, and provide general research and administrative support for CEPM scholars.
• Topics for the summer will include research and tracking of the Trump administration's legislative agenda and other key public policy areas.
• We expect some research work to focus on the upcoming 2026 midterms as CEPM looks to track the candidates running and their potential impact on the 120th Congress.
• In addition, the research intern will assist our scholars who have expertise in federal government management, political parties, electoral and institutional reform, and federalism.
• We rely on our interns for careful collection of data and facts to support the analysis in our research products and blog posts.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees