Turkey Research Fall 2026 Internship

Foundation for Defense of Democracies•Washington, DC

1d•$1,000 - $2,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. FDD conducts in-depth research, produces accurate and timely analyses, identifies illicit activities, and provides policy options to strengthen U.S. national security. The Turkey Program is seeking a full-time or part-time intern to work closely with its Turkey team, including Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Sinan Ciddi. The intern will assist with research on Ankara's domestic, security, and foreign policies, as well as its regional influence. Interns will participate in a twice-monthly speaker series and collaborate with FDD scholars and experts. The organization offers stipends and can assist students seeking academic credit, provided stipend eligibility requirements are met. FDD provides both hybrid and remote internship options. Applications are considered on a rolling basis, and early submission is recommended. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Requirements

Previous research experience.
Ability to conduct research in Turkish.
Minimum 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
Completed coursework in International Relations, Security Studies, History, Communications, Journalism, International Economics, Political Science, Computer science, or a relevant STEM field.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word.
Basic Excel skills.
Ability to commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
Eligibility to work in the United States.
Resume/CV.
Cover letter.
Writing Sample (no more than 3 pages).
Unofficial transcript copy.

Nice To Haves

Additional Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern languages, such as Arabic, Armenian, Greek, Hebrew, Kurdish, or Persian.

Responsibilities

Assist with research on Ankara's domestic, security, and foreign policies.
Assist with research on Turkey's regional influence.
Conduct research in Turkish.
Collaborate with FDD scholars and experts to strengthen academic and analytical skills.