Internship - Defense Budget Analysis Program (Fall 2026)

Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 28,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) invites you to join the Defense Budget Analysis Program as an intern in Washington, DC. You will support research on defense budgets, readiness, force structure, and acquisitions, helping assess alignment of resources with strategy.

The internship pays hourly, commensurate with experience, and offers exposure to policy analysis, mentoring, and opportunities to contribute to reports and events.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a master’s or Ph.D. program; or recently graduated with a BA, BS, MA, or PhD.
• Interest or experience analyzing U.S. or international defense budgets, defense acquisition and the industrial base, or national security.
• Excellent record in an academic or research environment.
• Strong writing, organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Preference for applicants with statistical and quantitative analysis skills.
• Mandarin language skills are a plus, though not required.
• Eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Research and writing support for ongoing projects, including literature reviews and data analysis.
• Provide editing support for reports and documents.
• Support written products with background research, copy-editing, and citation editing.
• Collaborate with staff on projects related to U.S. and international defense spending, acquisitions, and security cooperation.

Skills

Strong writing

Organizational skills

Time management

Independent work

Statistical/quantitative analysis

Mandarin language skills

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. program

Recent BA/BS/MA/PhD graduate

Job description

Internship - Defense Budget Analysis Program (Fall 2026)

Washington, D.C.

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.

The CSIS Defense Budget Analysis Program is seeking an intern to support its research and administrative needs. The Defense Budget Analysis Program explores trends in the overall defense budget, military readiness, force structure, defense acquisitions, and military compensation in a broader effort to assess the alignment of the country’s defense strategy and its resources.

The hired candidate will be paid hourly, commensurate with experience.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following

RESEARCH AND WRITING (70%)

• Conduct literature reviews, and compile and analyze data for ongoing research projects;
• Provide other research, writing, and editing support for various reports and documents;
• Support written products through background research, copy-editing, and editing citations as necessary;
• Collaborate with and support multiple staff members on different research projects on topics including U.S. and international defense spending, defense acquisition and the industrial base, military force structure, and security cooperation.

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES (30%)

• Assist in preparation for meetings, private and public events, and conferences;
• Tracking relevant legislation and public announcements in the defense funding sector;
• Perform ad hoc requests and other duties as necessary in support of staff members.

Knowledge, education, and experience

• Either currently enrolled in a master’s or Ph.D. program; or has recently graduated with a B.A., B.S., M.A., Ph.D. or equivalent;
• Interest or experience analyzing U.S. and/or international defense budgets, defense acquisition and the industrial base, or national security;
• Excellent record in an academic or research environment;
• Strong writing, organizational, communication, and time management skills;
• Ability to work independently;
• Preference for applicants with statistical and quantitative analysis skills;
• Mandarin language skills are a plus, though not required.
• Eligible to work in the United States.

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.