Summer 2026, Democracy Resilience Research Internship, Governance Studies ( Job ID 2026-3811)

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 approximately12weeksworking alongsideleading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications humanresourcesand 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 studyor 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 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 visitourCareers pagefor current open positions.This internship pays an hourly rate of $18.40 and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 32hours per week during regular business hours) with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more aboutBrookingsresearch programs clickhere.

Position Location: This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington DC office with theoptionof 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.

Democracy Resilience Research Internship

This position is full-time and requires a minimum of 32 hours per week; 40 hours is preferred. For this hybrid internship please note that working at least three days in-office per week is required. The topic areas associated with this project include but are not limited to: Democracy resilience anti-corruption and security efforts including legal and political accountability; open government government ethics and transparency accountability and participation (TAP) initiatives; and financial transparency financial integrity and financial inclusion initiatives.

Interns will have the opportunity to learn and/or strengthen a variety of research and analysis skills such as conducting background research for and fact-checking articles papers and other publications (examples from past internship cycles include the 2025 Democracy Playbook and articles related to democracy resilience issues); drafting policy memos and fact sheets; assisting with data collection/entry; formatting citations editing and providing other general research support; building annotated bibliographies; compiling bios and developing topic syntheses/backgrounders in advance of stakeholder meetings; providing assistance with social media and event planning; developing questions for key informant interviews; preparing meeting transcripts and readouts; and assisting with other event logistics.

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year as well as recent undergraduate and graduate students (i.e. individuals applying no more than one calendar year from their graduation year) working toward a degree in public policy political science history philosophy pre-law economics and/or a related field are encouraged to apply.

Our most successful interns have: A demonstrated interest in democratic resilience; rule of law; anti-corruption; politics; transparency accountability and participation; and/or related governance issues; 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; and Ability to manage competing priorities and evolving assignments.

Additional Information:

This internship requires you tobe located inthe U.S. for the duration of the internship.

Successful completion of a background investigation isfor interning at Brookings.

Brookings requires that all applicantssubmita cover letter and resume.Pleasesubmityour resume as instructed and include your cover letter as a separate attachment when you apply.Youare required tosubmit/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 toHiringManager.

If selected as a finalist for the internship you willbe requiredtosubmittwo letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.

Please note: Applications will be accepted untilFebruary 222026.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 successfullysubmitted.

As you are applying please be sure toclick heretolearn more about the Brookings Internship Program deadlines and directions on how to successfullysubmityour internship application(s).

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms including diversity of experience thought and personal background. We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology race ethnicity religion national origin gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression disability veteran status first generation college goers and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be anequal-opportunityemployer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive selection decisions are based upon merit skillsabilitiesand experience.