Israel Program Research Fall 2026 Internship

Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stipend

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is looking for a full-time or part-time intern to assist in research on Israel and related topics, ideal for individuals passionate about foreign policy.

Interns will engage in a speaker series, gain professional development, and may be eligible for stipends. Candidates must maintain a GPA of at least 3.2 and are expected to commit a minimum of 22 hours per week. Remote and hybrid internship options are offered.

Qualifications

• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
• Relevant course of study completed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-depth research on Israel, Palestinian politics, and related topics.
• Participate in a twice-monthly speaker series.
• Indicate preferred project areas in your cover letter.

Skills

Research experience

Strong writing capabilities

Microsoft Office proficiency (Word, basic Excel)

Foreign language (Arabic or Hebrew) - a plus

Education

Relevance to International Relations, Security Studies, History, etc.

3.2 GPA or higher

Job description

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 to strengthen U.S. national security and reduce 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.

Israel Program Research

The Israel Program is seeking a full‑time or part‑time intern. The intern will work closely with the FDD research team to conduct research on Israel, Palestinian politics, international organizations, and other related topics. Projects tend to focus on regional developments, politics, foreign relations, and national security. Those with an interest in the Middle East and foreign policy are strongly encouraged to apply. If there is a particular FDD project area of interest to you, please indicate that in your cover letter. The Research Department is looking for interns with research experience and strong writing capabilities. The ability to conduct research in a foreign language, especially Arabic or Hebrew, is a plus but not required.

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

• Resume/CV
• 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.)
• Writing sample (no more than 3 pages)
• 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.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.