Forward Defense – Spring 2027 Young Global Professionals Program

Atlantic Council; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlantic Council’s Forward Defense internship in Washington, DC offers experience supporting senior defense officials and contributing to events, research, and publications. The role emphasizes writing, editing, outreach, and logistics, with in-person work required four days per week.

Ideal candidates are juniors or graduates with interest in international relations, national security, and AI/tech policy, and proficiency in MS Office and WordPress. Compensation is $18.50 per hour.

Qualifications

• Must be at least a college junior in good standing, a graduate student, or college graduate.
• Candidates should articulate why their backgrounds are relevant to our work in international relations and national security.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal and written).

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to support the activities of Forward Defense.
• Manage Forward Defense contacts and knowledge.
• Draft correspondence and take notes at roundtables and strategy sessions for program archives.
• Handle logistical and operational functions of Forward Defense issues for events and activities.
• Help draft policy briefs, blog posts, memos, articles, and other publications.
• Conduct media outreach to promote FD's events, publications, and writings.
• Support Forward Defense in creating and updating content on its website using WordPress.

Skills

MS Office

Research & Writing

Public Speaking

Education

College junior

Graduate student

College graduate

Tools

WordPress

Salesforce

Marketo

Job description

Job Location:Washington, DC headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office
Employment Type:Temporary
Seniority Level:Intern
Job Category:Staff

Description

Forward Defense (FD), housed in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, develops actionable strategies and operational concepts to ensure the United States and its allies can deter and, if necessary, prevail in conflict. Our work spans US defense strategy, the future of warfare, emerging technologies including AI and autonomy, nuclear and space security, and the revitalization of the defense industrial base. In doing so, we aim to tackle foundational challenges, from two-peer nuclear deterrence to maritime industrial decline, with seriousness, urgency, and innovation.

FD is looking for a motivated, energetic individual to become a core member of our fast-growing team. FD interns support our public and private events; reports, papers, and memos; and digital public communications. Through their work, they interact with senior US and allied defense officials and are exposed to logistical and event planning; research, writing, editing, and publishing; and the inner workings of a Washington, DC think tank.

FD also provides regular professional development opportunities for our Young Global Professionals (YGPs), such as workshops on career skills and technical knowledge, exposure to and interaction with our Non-Resident Senior Fellow network, and introductions to military and defense concepts, based on our fellows' expertise.

This internship is based in our Washington, DC headquarters , requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in the office. Interns will be compensated at a rate of $18.50 per hour.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research to support the activities of Forward Defense.
• Manage Forward Defense contacts and knowledge.
• Draft correspondence and take notes at roundtables and strategy sessions for program archives.
• Handle logistical and operational functions of Forward Defense issues for events and activities.
• Help draft policy briefs, blog posts, memos, articles, and other publications.
• Conduct media outreach to promote FD's events, publications, and writings.
• Support Forward Defense in creating and updating content on its website using WordPress.

Qualifications

• Must be at least a college junior in good standing, a graduate student, or college graduate, although a range of academic backgrounds may qualify you for this position. Candidates should articulate why their backgrounds are relevant to our work in the fields of international relations and national security in a cover letter.
• Must demonstrate proven interest in the core mission of the Atlantic Council.
• Interest in and knowledge of a range of core topics related to ForwardDefense's themes and priorities, such as Chinese and Russian security, military technology, space security, nuclear deterrence and arms control, national security applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, hybrid warfare, homeland security, defense industry, and wargaming.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written – live and virtual), including the ability to identify and work through challenges, underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence.
• Must be proficient in MS Office suite. Mention proficiency in other software (such as WordPress, Salesforce, and Marketo) in your application.
• Strong analytical, planning, time management, and organizational skills required.
• We welcome applications from candidates who can commit to work full-time (forty hours per week) from the Council's Washington, DC headquarters. We require candidates to be in the office four days a week.

Forward Defense develops and shapes policy solutions that build US military power to deter war and secure the future.

Please note: The Atlantic Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of any classification protected by law, including but not limited to those protected characteristics covered by the DC Human Rights Act, including age, skin color, credit information, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender identity & expression, genetic information, homeless status, marital status, matriculation, national origin, personal appearance, place of residence or business, political affiliation, race, religion, seal eviction record, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, status as a victim or family member of a victim of DVSOS, or status as a victim of an intrafamily offense. The Atlantic Council is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. For more information, please connect with us at [e-mail] . Eligibility to work in the United States is confirmed with E-Verify; employment at the Atlantic Council is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).