03 Heritage Foundation Launches Fall Internship Program

EDSites; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 24,796 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

The Heritage Foundation invites college juniors, recent graduates, and graduate students to work at its Washington, D.C. headquarters for the Fall 2026 internship program.

Interns will join policy experts across foreign policy, economic policy, law and constitutional studies, communications, and event planning. Interns are expected to work on site and are paid $18.50 per hour, with a schedule up to 40 hours weekly full-time or 20 hours minimum for part-time.

Responsibilities

• Research, drafting briefs, and assisting with outreach.
• Interns attend the Boyce-Haller First Principles Lecture Series.

Job description

Heritage Foundation Launches Fall Internship Program

Heritage Foundation Launches Fall Internship Program

The Heritage Foundation is opening its Fall 2026 internship program, inviting college juniors, recent graduates, and graduate students to work at the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the well‑known conservative think tank.

What the internship offers

According to the program description, more than 50 interns will be hired each semester. Participants will join policy experts across a range of departments, including foreign policy, economic policy, law and constitutional studies, communications, and event planning.

Interns are expected to work on site and are paid $18.50 per hour. The schedule can be full‑time, up to 40 hours weekly, or part‑time with a minimum of 20 hours. The term runs from Sept.8 to Dec.4.

Day‑to‑day duties include research, drafting briefs, and assisting with outreach. Interns also attend the Boyce‑Haller First Principles Lecture Series, a set of talks on the foundations of American political thought.

Professional development components

The program includes weekly briefings with Heritage scholars covering foreign, economic, and domestic policy issues. Workshops aim to improve resume and cover letter writing, offer insight into Capitol Hill careers, and teach op‑ed composition.

Related: Temple hikes tuition again amid job cuts

These sessions are meant to help interns build practical skills while expanding their professional networks in Washington. The organization emphasizes that the experience is designed to prepare participants for future roles in public policy and related fields.

Applicants can apply whether they are in the junior year or further along; the listing notes that ‘students earlier in their academic careers may also apply,’ suggesting some flexibility in eligibility.

While the internship promises exposure to high‑level policy work, the limited duration—just under four months—means that participants must quickly adapt to a fast‑paced environment. For many, the experience may serve as a stepping stone to longer‑term positions, but the short window also constrains the depth of projects they can lead.