Brookings Internship Programs For Undergraduate And Graduate Students (2024 Cohort)

Want to kick off your professional career in a meaningful way? Brookings provides paid internships to nearly 150 degree-seeking students and recent graduates annually, with cohorts each spring, summer, and fall.

Internships are available in our five research programs (Governance Studies, Economic Studies, Foreign Policy, Global Economy and Development, and Brookings Metro) and in our business units (e.g., communications, finance, human resources).

The Brookings Internship Program is an opportunity for degree-seeking students, and occasionally recent graduates, to engage in career exploration and development, as well as a chance to learn new skills.

The mission of the Internship Program is to provide a pre-professional, meaningful and practical work experience related to the student’s field of study or career interest.

Internships may be within a Brookings research program (e.g., Governance Studies, Global Economy and Development, Brookings Metro, Economic Studies, or Foreign Policy) or one of Brookings’ central business units (e.g., Human Resources, Executive Office, Finance, Development, Facilities, Communications).

The type of work varies by intern position, and may include projects related to research, administrative tasks, communications, and more. Interns are embedded within the day-to-day work at Brookings and alongside the curated learning experiences for the intern cohort, they are encouraged to partake in internal and external events, local networking opportunities, social and community programming, staff professional development, and may join employee-led professional networks and affinity groups during their internship.

When available, all open internships can be found here.

Benefits of Brookings Internship Program

Our comprehensive benefits package, among the best offered by nonprofit organizations, includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility.

We recognize talented people in every field are in demand and have many options for where they choose to contribute their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Brookings strives to be an employer of choice, and a place where staff feel they can grow their careers. We do this by offering:

• A competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package that supports our employees’ emotional, financial, and physical wellbeing;
• A flexible and collegial work environment focused on inclusion and respect;
• Continuing education and personal development opportunities;
• A diverse workforce with engaging events and community-building activities; and
• Opportunity to contribute to work that has a meaningful impact on society.

Requirements for Brookings Internship Program

Brookings internships are open to individuals from all backgrounds and levels of experience. The eligibility requirements include:

• Current undergraduate and master’s students (PhD students are not eligible)
• Recent graduates (within one year of graduation)
• International students with appropriate work authorization (F-1 or J-1 visa status, with OPT or CPT)
• Individuals must be physically located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.

Selection Process

Timeline:

• Internship Openings Posted: Beginning Week of May 27, 2024
• Application Deadline: June 23, 2024
• Selections Made: Week of August 12, 2024
• Cohort Start Dates: September 16, 2024 or October 1, 2024
• Cohort End Dates: December 13, 2024 or December 27, 2024

Application Documents

All applications must be received in advance of the posted deadline to be considered. Applications are not accepted until the internship is posted online. Complete applications include:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Transcript (official or unofficial) If required in the position description: Writing sample All applicants receive a confirmation email once a complete application is received. In instances where applications are incomplete, applicants are notified via email and are instructed to access their Candidate Profile within Brookings’ Applicant Tracking System, iCIMS, to complete and resubmit their application.

If selected as an internship finalist (this is NOT required as part of the application process), applicants will receive instructions to provide the following:

• Contact information for two (2) references OR two (2) letters of recommendation. Confidential letters of recommendation can be emailed directly to [email protected].
• If the internship is through an external partnership: Written documentation of eligibility (i.e., letter from the university or organization confirming such with the amount of external funding provided).

Application Deadline: June 23, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Brookings Institution on interns-brookings.icims.com to apply