International Organizations Research Fall 2026 Internship

fdd; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Hybrid/Remote options

Job summary

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), a Washington, DC-based nonprofit, offers internship opportunities designed to develop professional skills. Interns participate in a twice-monthly speaker series and collaborate with FDD scholars to strengthen research and analytical abilities.

IO Program interns conduct studies on international organizations, arms control and lawfare, with stipend support. Applicants should demonstrate strong writing, research and communication skills, have GPA

Qualifications

• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• Coursework in International Relations, Security Studies, History, Communications, Journalism, International Economics, Political Science, CS, or related STEM field.
• Interns should have knowledge of MS Office programs, including Word, and basic Excel.
• Must be able to commit to at least 22 hours per week.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Assist researchers in the IO Program with research on international organizations, funding, management and operations.
• Draft memoranda, summaries and policy memos for internal review.
• Support writing, editing and presentation development for policy-focused materials.

Skills

Strong writing

Research skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Word

Excel basics

Education

Relevant coursework in IR/Politics/CS or related STEM fields

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel basics

Job description

Internship Opportunities

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan 501(c)(3) research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy. FDD conducts in-depth research, produces accurate and timely analyses, identifies illicit activities, and provides policy options – all with the aim of strengthening U.S. national security and reducing or eliminating threats posed by adversaries and enemies of the United States and other free nations. FDD does not accept donations from any foreign governments.

About FDD's Internship Program

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies offers a variety of internship opportunities designed to provide meaningful professional development. Interns participate in a twice-monthly speaker series featuring senior staff members in a small-group setting and are encouraged to strengthen their academic and analytical skills through close collaboration with FDD scholars and experts. The organization offers stipends and can assist students seeking academic credit; however, stipend eligibility requirements must be met. FDD provides both hybrid and remote internship options.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. It is recommended that interested candidates submit applications early. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

International Organizations Research Intern

The International Organization Program (IOP) is seeking a part-time intern (around 20 hours/per week). The intern will work closely with FDD experts to conduct research for FDD's International Organizations Program, including research into how U.S. adversaries - including China, Russia, Iran, Syria and others - co-opt specific international institutions, arms control and general lawfare. The intern will hone their research skills by diving into developments, funding, management and operations of specific IOs. Those with an interest in foreign policy, the UN and international law are encouraged to apply. A strong applicant requires strong writing, research, and communication skills.

Eligibility

• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Should have a relevant course of study and have completed coursework in any of the following fields: International Relations, Security Studies, History, Communications, Journalism, International Economics, Political Science. Computer science, and/or a relevant STEM field of study.
• Interns should have knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, as well as basic Excel skills.
• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Application Materials Required

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover letter (Please review our website and include which FDD projects and issue areas resonate with you and why. Also indicate where you found this internship and your availability for the semester.)
3. Writing Sample (no more than 3 pages)
4. Unofficial transcript copy

Please specify the department(s) for which you would like to be considered (feel free to indicate preferences) in your cover letter. While you may use the same cover letter for multiple positions, please submit a separate application for each position of interest.