Spring 2027 Communications Internship

Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD); Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Speaker series

Career support

Professional skill-building

Job summary

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) offers internship opportunities in Washington, DC, with hybrid and remote options. Interns participate in a speaker series, improve analytical skills, and collaborate with FDD scholars on foreign policy and national security topics.

Responsibilities include monitoring media profiles, tracking media metrics, developing media contacts, writing samples, and supporting social media content and other communications activities.

Qualifications

• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Relevant study fields listed in Eligibility.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, and basic Excel.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the organization's media profile and track media metrics.
• Assist in developing contacts in broadcast/print media.
• Assist in crafting social media content and synthesize research products.
• Support communications activities across journalism and public relations.

Skills

Strong writing

MS Office

Word processing

Web content basics

Education

GPA 3.2+ (on 4.0 scale)

Courses in International Relations/ Security Studies/ History/ Communications/ Journalism/ Political Science/ STEM

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel (basic)

HTML basics

CMS experience

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.

The Communications Department

The Communications Department is seeking full-time and part-time interns with an interest in foreign policy, journalism, communications and public relations, social and digital media, web design, and marketing. Interns will experience Washington's fast-paced media environment and see first-hand how policy and media intersect. Interns will monitor the organization's media profile, assist in tracking media metrics, assist in developing contacts in broadcast/print media, utilize writing skills to synthesize research products, help craft social media content, and many other communications activities. At the end of the term, interns will have developed and diversified their skills to further their careers as communications professionals, reporters, public relations representatives, and Capitol Hill press relations staffers. Applicants must be hard working and eager to learn new skills. Strong writing skills desired. Knowledge of Microsoft Office is a must; experience with website content management systems and HTML are desirable but not required.

Internship includes a great speaker series, career support and professional skill-building.

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