Policy Intern — Spring 2027

CPAC Foundation; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

CPAC Foundation seeks a Policy Intern to support policy research, analysis, and communications. The role offers hands-on experience in policy development, legislative research, and public-record analysis to inform organizational positions and public messaging.

Interns may research legislation and developments, prepare briefs and background documents, and track public policy updates. Strong writing skills and rigorous sourcing are essential for accuracy and credibility.

Qualifications

• Policy research and public affairs writing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Research legislation, regulations, and public policy developments.
• Prepare policy briefs, one-pagers, background documents, and research summaries.
• Draft speeches, talking points, and briefing documents for leadership and public representatives.
• Verify claims using primary-source materials and ensure findings are sourced and credible.

Skills

Policy research

Legislative research

Public policy analysis

Writing

Job description

The Policy Intern supports the organization's policy research, analysis, and communications efforts, helping ensure that its public-facing positions and materials are informed, accurate, and grounded in credible research. This role provides hands-on experience in policy development, legislative research, speechwriting, briefing preparation, and public-record analysis, offering interns an inside look at how research and policy expertise inform organizational priorities and public messaging.

Interns may assist with researching legislation, regulations, public policy developments, and current issues; preparing policy briefs, one-pagers, background documents, and research summaries; and gathering primary-source materials to support the organization's policy work. They may also contribute to the research and publication efforts of the organization's policy centers by tracking legislative developments, maintaining research files, and assembling materials for scholars and staff.

Additional responsibilities may include drafting speeches, talking points, briefing documents, and other written materials for organizational leadership and public representatives. Interns may also monitor public statements, voting records, official filings, and other publicly available materials to verify claims, document relevant findings, and support internal research projects. All research must be carefully sourced, with findings supported by accurate, verifiable, and retrievable documentation. Opposition research activities are limited to publicly available information, and findings are provided internally to appropriate staff rather than distributed externally.

Through these responsibilities, interns gain practical experience in policy analysis, legislative research, professional writing, fact-checking, source verification, and critical thinking. The position emphasizes intellectual curiosity, accuracy, strong writing skills, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively. Interns have the opportunity to contribute to substantive research and written materials while learning how policy research translates into organizational positions, publications, and public communications.

This role is ideal for: A research-oriented student interested in public policy, government, law, political science, or public affairs who enjoys reading primary sources, developing well-supported arguments, and translating complex information into clear written material. Candidates should have strong writing and analytical skills, meticulous research habits, and a commitment to accuracy, reliable sourcing, and intellectual rigor.