Policy and Government Affairs Fall 2026 Intern

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) one of the worlds leading conservation organization seeks aPolicy and Government Affairs Fall 2026 Intern. The Policy and Government Affairs (PGA) department of the World Wildlife Fund is seeking part-time to full-time interns for policy research analysis and outreach. Given the diversity of issues that the Policy and Government Affairs staff covers research and analysis may entail working with legislation regulations and potentially court cases. By contrast research analysis and support may include assessing government agencies roles policies and positions on issues relating to WWFs mission or writing of brief materials about U.S. government agencies. 

Outreach may entail covering congressional hearings and markups and preparing and attending congressional administration and/or NGO coalition briefings. Subject matter will cover many of the issues in which WWF is involved including biodiversity conservation (e.g. endangered species and habitat protection) natural resource management (e.g. fisheries forestry and agriculture) environment and security climate change and energy. 

ATTN: The PGA team follows the WWF-HQ hybrid schedule and interns are expected to come into the WWF HQ DC office two days a week. 

Internship Description: 

• Helps monitor government websites newsletters and databases to identify relevant funding opportunities. 

• Conduct research and analysis on federal agency priorities programs budget trends policy developments and technical topics to inform proposal pipeline strategy and proposal efforts. 

• Under the guidance of Proposal Managers support proposal coordination tasks including tracking deadlines organizing documents and coordinating inputs from team members. 

• Assist with pipeline database management 

• Support the development of the teams AI Policy through background research. 

• Research writing & analysis on various topics including food and water security foreign assistance marine and fisheries issues species/wildlife trafficking climate change and national security. 

• Monitor and summarize Congressional hearings policy briefings coalition meetings and other relevant events and materials to inform organizational policy and advocacy efforts. 

• Conduct stakeholder and policy research to support engagement with Congressional offices federal agencies and Administration officials on legislation appropriations and rulemaking activities. 

Qualifications :

Minimum Requirements: 

Only enrolled students are eligible for this internship as you must be able to receive academic credit from your current academic institution. Students must be able to work either part-time or full-time depending on class schedule and availability. Please note: This internship is for Fall 2026. 

Desired Skills and Qualities: 

• Undergraduate or Graduate student: Must be an actively enrolled student and not have received a degree at the time of the internship start date (September 2026). 

• Interest in conservation and international development issues with a concentration in International Relations Public Policy American Government or Political Science. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply. 

• Interest and willingness to learn about Capitol Hill the Administration (specifically USDA NOAA and U.S. State Department) and non-governmental organizations. 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment collaboratively and independently. 

• Strong interpersonal skills crucial for developing working relationships internally and externally. 

• Strong organizational skills. 

• Attention to detail. 

• Identifies and aligns with WWFs core values:
  • COURAGE We demonstrate courage through our actions we work for change where its needed and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet which is our home.
  • INTEGRITY We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity accountability and transparency and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.
  • RESPECT We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.
  • COLLABORATION We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Additional Information :

Compensation: 

Unpaid. For all unpaid internships applicants must be enrolled in school and be able to obtain academic course credit from their university. 

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa compliance with federal law all persons hired willbe required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. 

WWF does not provide VISA sponsorship to interns.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age race color sex religion national origin disability veteran status or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Intern