Intern - Renewing American Innovation (Fall 2026)

Center for Strategic and International Studies; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 25,347 - 28,103; Full time

Job summary

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC is seeking an intern to support the Renewing American Innovation project. The intern will work five days a week, 35 hours, in-person with some remote flexibility, starting in September 2026.

Duties include research and administrative support, copy-editing publications, writing on innovation policy for the Perspectives on Innovation blog and Innovation Lightbulb newsletter, event planning assistance, social media management,

Qualifications

• Must be in final year of undergraduate degree program, recent graduate (within past year), or current graduate student.
• Must have obtained or be pursuing a BA or MA in International Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, or STEM field.
• Must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from a US institution or equivalent.
• Familiarity with US foreign policy and national security establishment.
• Demonstrated interest in science and technology policy preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong writing skills tailored for a policy audience.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas effectively and concisely.
• Demonstrated familiarity and experience with social media platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Provide research and administrative support for project staff and the program’s network of senior advisers.
• Copy-edit long- and short-form publications and other research products.
• Write on innovation and technology policy for the Perspectives on Innovation blog and Innovation Lightbulb newsletter.
• Assist in public and private event planning and execution.
• Manage and maintain RAI’s social media pages.
• Draft RAI’s biweekly newsletter, The Innovation Hub.
• Take and distribute memos from internal and external meetings to RAI staff.
• Assist as needed on ad-hoc projects or requests.

Skills

Strong written and oral communication

Policy writing for audience

Social media familiarity

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in International Affairs/Political Science/Public Policy or STEM

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Summary

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non‑profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

Position Overview

CSIS seeks an intern to support the Renewing American Innovation (RAI) project. RAI explores issues at the cutting edge of science, innovation, and technology policy in the United States. The intern will collaborate with and enable a fast‑paced team producing concrete analysis on methods for renewing the U.S. innovation ecosystem, a critical national security asset.

The program is looking to hire an intern for a September 2026 start date. The intern is expected to work five days a week, Monday through Friday, for a total of 35 hours per week. The position will be predominantly in‑person with some flexibility for remote working. The hired candidate will be paid hourly, commensurate with experience: $18.40/hour for current undergraduate hires, $19.40/hour for hires with a bachelor’s degree, and $20.40/hour for hires with a master’s degree.

Applications should be submitted no later than Wednesday, August 19 at 11:59pm.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing research and administrative support for project staff and the program’s network of senior advisers.
• Copy‑editing long‑ and short‑form publications and other research products.
• Writing on innovation and technology policy or other related topics as assigned for the Perspectives on Innovation blog and Innovation Lightbulb newsletter.
• Assisting in public and private event planning and execution.
• Managing and maintaining RAI’s social media pages.
• Drafting RAI’s biweekly newsletter, The Innovation Hub.
• Taking and distributing memos from internal and external meetings to RAI staff.
• Assisting as needed on ad‑hoc projects or requests.

Knowledge, Education, and Experience

• Must be in final year of undergraduate degree program, recent graduate (within past year), or current graduate student.
• Must have obtained or be pursuing a BA or MA in International Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, or STEM field.
• Must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution.
• Familiarity with U.S. foreign policy and national security establishment.
• Demonstrated interest in science and technology policy preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong writing skills tailored for a policy audience.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex ideas effectively and concisely.
• Demonstrated familiarity and experience with social media platforms.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume, writing sample on a relevant topic (no more than 5 pages), and cover letter by clicking the Apply button below. Applications should be submitted no later Wednesday, August 19 at 11:59pm.

Salary Range: $18.40 — $20.40 USD.

Physical Requirements and Work Conditions

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. Equal Opportunity Employer.