Communications Internship Spring 2027

Institute for the Study of War; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 8,900 - 11,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend up to $1,000/month

Job summary

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) invites motivated college students or recent graduates to join the ISW Internship Program. Interns engage across portfolios including Russia, China, Iran, Geospatial Intelligence, and cognitive warfare, gaining hands-on experience while under mentorship from senior analysts.

ISW offers in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Spring 2027, with a stipend and academic credit where applicable.

Qualifications

• Motivated, organized college students or recent graduates.
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Familiar with AP Stylebook, Chicago Manual of Style, or APA Style.
• Experience reviewing others’ writing (peer reviews, writing center, or copyediting).
• Self-motivated, creative, able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with visual content creation and digital communications, including social media and CMS.

Responsibilities

• Support a range of communications functions including media relations and monitoring.
• Assist in writing, copyediting, and editing of materials.
• Help research and develop content for digital channels and social media campaigns.
• Create and edit videos, graphics, and written material; contribute to special projects.
• Assist in developing and executing social media campaigns across platforms (X, Bluesky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram).
• Work with a small, flexible team in a dynamic, fast-paced setting.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Oral communication

Style guides (AP/Chicago/APA)

Peer review experience

Social media/content creation

Education

College student or recent graduate

Tools

CMS

Job description

ISW Internship Program Overview

ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Spring 2027. Instructions to apply for the scholarship are below.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. ISW offers internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, and Iran's proxy networks. ISW also offers internships in Geospatial Intelligence and Technologies, National Security and Intelligence Analysis, and our Cognitive Warfare Task Force.

Why Work for ISW?

ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open-source intelligence analysis to provide timely and accurate information on current conflicts and security threats directly to policymakers and warfighters.

Interns at ISW have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policy-makers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Our interns work directly with analysts. They receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.

The ISW Internship Program is one of three core education programs housed within The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, launched to identify, educate, and develop the future cadre of leaders committed to America’s national security. ISW views interns as an integral component of its team. ISW has worked with interns to draft, edit, and publish their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts. It has also hired many interns onto its staff.

Communications Internship

ISW’s External Relations Team offers a unique opportunity to candidates interested in learning more about non-profit communications with an eye towards national security. Interns will hone their skills supporting a variety of communications functions, including media relations and monitoring, writing and copyediting, social media monitoring and management, digital content creation, and media research.

Over the course of a quarter, interns will receive guidance from ISW’s professional communications and publishing staff, gradually expanding and honing their ability to develop and execute effective communications strategies. Interns will have the opportunity to create and edit videos, graphics, and written material as well as assist in special projects and company initiatives. Interns will also help develop and execute social media campaigns across platforms like X, Bluesky, Threads, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

This internship provides a great opportunity to train alongside a small and flexible external relations team in an engaging and fast-paced work environment. This is a full-time (five days per week) in-person, remote, or hybrid internship; but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated proficiency in a related field.

• Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.

• Candidates should have experience adhering to a codified writing style guide such as the AP Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, or the American Psychological Association Stylebook.

• Candidates should have experience reviewing the written work of others; this can include peer reviews of papers, work in a college writing center, or other copyediting experience in a professional or academic setting.

• Candidates should be self-motivated, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

• Competitive candidates should also have experience with visual content creation and digital communications, including social media platforms and website CMS.

Spring 2027 Internship Program Dates

ISW internships start January 12, 2027. The program will run until May 14. Interns must both be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until November 13, 2026.

ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.

ISW Scholarship Application

The Institute for the Study of War will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program.* To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until November 13, 2026.

Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:

1. Ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and
2. Financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.

1. Which ISW internship is your top choice? Why do you believe you are qualified?
2. What do you believe to be the most pressing national security problem the US faces today? What solution(s) would you propose?
3. Where do you see yourself in your future career? How will an ISW internship help you get there?
4. Why have you chosen to apply for this supplemental scholarship?
5. Are you currently receiving federal financial aid and/or need-based aid from your university? Feel free to describe using as much detail as you are comfortable.

*Please note that the up to $1,000 monthly scholarship is classified as taxable income.