Spring 2027 FDD Action Policy Internship

Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Washington (District of Columbia); Presencial; USD 15.000 - 20.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Stipends

Academic credit assistance

Descripción de la vacante

Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD Action) invites policy interns to join across research, strategy, and legislative action in Washington, DC. You’ll work on national security issues, track live policy debates on Capitol Hill, and contribute to efforts influencing NDAA and appropriations decisions.

Interns will sharpen research, writing, and analytical skills with mentorship, and may receive academic credit. Both full-time and part-time roles are available with rolling applications.

Formación

• GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct legislative research on national security issues for policy objectives.
• Track and analyze NDAA and appropriations processes.
• Monitor, summarize, and analyze executive and legislative actions.

Conocimientos

Research skills

Writing

Analytical ability

Policy analysis

Capitol Hill familiarity

Educación

Relevant field of study (as listed)

Herramientas

Microsoft Office

Word

Excel

Descripción del empleo

FDD Action Policy Spring 2027 Internship

About FDD Action

FDD Action is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that works with policymakers to advance a robust U.S. foreign policy-one that strengthens our national security, counters our adversaries, and supports our allies. FDD Action provides Congress with actionable insights and legislative solutions, including through the NDAA and appropriations processes, to counter China, Russia, Iran, and other adversaries and threats. Our extensive expertise ranges from sanctions and counterterrorism to arms sales, combating antisemitism, and addressing foreign influence in education.

About FDD Action's Policy Internship

We are seeking full-time and part-time policy interns to work at the intersection of research, strategy, and legislative action. You'll be embedded in real congressional projects: analyzing pressing national security challenges and tracking live policy debates as they unfold on Capitol Hill. Issue areas include sanctions and export controls, defense policy, and countering foreign malign influence and activities. Through this internship, interns will contribute to FDD Action's efforts to shape policies being developed in Congress.

As a policy intern, you will develop a tangible skill set and insider knowledge of how Congress actually works-the kind of foundation that launches Capitol Hill careers. Expect to sharpen your research, writing, and analytical abilities while building a professional network that extends well beyond your time here. You'll also gain unique experience in our policy work, providing insight into how national security advocacy operates in practice.

We provide interns with dedicated mentorship and career guidance through educational sessions with issue-area experts and FDD Action staff. Our alumni have gone on to hold positions in congressional offices, think tanks, and executive-branch agencies.

We are looking for detail-oriented self-starters with strong research skills and genuine curiosity about the legislative process. Prior Hill experience is a plus, but is not required-motivation and initiative matter more.

Intern Responsibilities

• Conduct legislative research on pressing national security issues in support of FDD Action's policy objectives
• Track and analyze policy developments as they move through the NDAA and appropriations processes
• Monitor, summarize, and analyze executive and legislative branch actions
• Attend, cover, and summarize key congressional hearings and national security events
• Provide responsive research support to FDD Action staff
• Prepare briefing materials and background documents for congressional meetings

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 Action 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

In your cover letter, please specify the internship concentrations for which you would like to be considered (feel free to indicate preferences): 1) Europe and U.S. Cyber Policy; 2) Middle East and U.S. Defense Policy; and 3) Indo-Pacific, Latin America, and U.S. Financial Power. If you plan to also apply for the advocacy internship, please indicate which internship you would consider your primary preference.

The organization offers stipends and can assist students seeking academic credit; however, stipend eligibility requirements must be met.

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