Staff Assistant Internships

Fall 2026 Internship applications are now closed. Information for Spring 2027 Internship will be posted soon.

The Center offers a wide range of part-time, paid internship opportunities to current and recent undergraduate and graduate students. Wilson Center interns have the opportunity to develop both research and professional skills, and to participate in the numerous activities and events held at the Center.

The Wilson Center recruits staff interns to work across the various offices within the Center. These interns work alongside the Wilson Center staff in the Center’s mission to provide nonpartisan insights and analysis on global affairs to policymakers and the public through deep research, open dialogue, and independent scholarship.

The Center’s staff assistant internship appointments are generally made consistent with academic semesters (i.e. Fall, Spring, and Summer/three to four months); although appointments are made throughout the year for periods of varying length. These internships are designed to provide individuals selected with the opportunity with practical experience in an environment that successfully mixes academic study with public policy. Internships also provide opportunities for those selected to attend events within the Wilson Center and around Washington D.C.

General Qualifications and Expectations:

Available 20 to 35 hours a week.
Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to multitask and meet strict deadlines.
Strong communication skills, both written and oral; ability to work effectively within a team.
Enthusiasm, positive attitude, and professional manner.
Ability to work with staff and partners with diverse perspectives in a professional manner.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook).

An individual selected for a paid internship will be expected to present proper evidence establishing employment eligibility prior to being appointed. Interns are paid hourly at a rate based on physical locality minimum wage (GS-3 Step 2), and will not be paid less than the federal minimum wage of $15.00 per hour.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to hire only individuals who are eligible to work in the United States. International students studying in the US are eligible, but they must hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa and appropriate work authorization. All international students must obtain written permission from their Designated School Official or Responsible Officer for visas at their university stating that they are in valid immigration status and eligible to do an internship at the Center. The Center is not able to sponsor visas for interns.

Application instructions:

To apply, applicants will need to submit the materials listed below via email to internship@wilsoncenter.org by July 24, 2026. Candidacy will be considered only on the basis of completed applications.

Application materials include:

Cover Letter (indicating which staff internship position(s) for which you are applying)

Current Resume

3-5 page Writing Sample (excerpts of a research paper are acceptable) with bibliography

Staff Intern Positions

Development Internship
Development Internship:
As a non-profit, the Wilson Center must secure funding to support its critical work. The Development Office is responsible for raising private funds from individuals, corporations and foundations which comprise the majority of the annual operating budget for the Wilson Center.
Through this internship, our interns gain invaluable knowledge and experience related to individual, corporate, and foundation philanthropy; event planning and support; donor and prospect research; and professional writing skills.
Position Responsibilities:
- Event planning and support
- Researching grant opportunities and funding prospects
- Assistance with grant writing
- Management of donor and grants databases
- Writing and design of communications materials for donor-related outreach
- Organizational and planning assistance with meetings and donor fulfilment activities
Position Qualifications:
- Undergraduate Juniors and Seniors or graduate students with an interest in development and international affairs.
- Previous internship and/or office experience required; Development and/or event planning experience preferred.
Global Affairs Internship
The Global Affairs office is responsible for coordinating and managing the activities of fellows and facilitating their engagements with Congress and external partners. The Wilson Center focuses on four workstreams within international affairs: economic statecraft, technology and innovation, strategic competition, and regional issues.
Through this internship, interns gain a valuable understanding of scholarly fellowships and a broad range of topics across international relations. This experience will include working alongside fellows who are top thought leaders in their respective fields. Additionally, interns will gain exposure to partnerships with other institutions, including universities, think tanks, private sector entities, and other organizations.
Position Responsibilities
- Draft briefings regarding major global events.
- Support implementation of all fellowship-related activities, including reviewing draft articles and tracking fellows’ engagements with Congressional offices, partners, and media.
- Assist in planning roundtables, briefings, and other events for fellows and partners.
- Provide organizational and logistical event support.
Position Qualifications:
- Stellar writing skills and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated ability to make tactful decisions.
- Diverse experiences working at think thanks, academic institutions, federal agencies, non-profits, and/or international organizations are welcome.
Government Affairs Internship
The government affairs office acts as the bridge between Wilson Center experts and policymakers on the Hill, through the Wilson Center Congressional Fellowship, masterclasses, and briefings. Throughout the internship, interns will gain exposure to government relations, including the opportunity to plan programming for Congressional staff.

Position Responsibilities:
- Planning events for congressional staff, including masterclasses, briefings, and planning for the Wilson Center Congressional Fellowship Program
- Tracking legislation relevant to Wilson Center experts
- Summarizing relevant hearings for Wilson Center staff and fellows
- Drafting communication from the Wilson Center to Members of Congress and their staffs
- Organizational and administrative support
Position Qualifications:
- Undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in external affairs and international affairs.
- Previous internship experience in Congress preferred
Communications Internship
Interns will work to represent the Wilson Center to outside audiences by supporting the communication team. The communication team is responsible for communicating the important work of the center through social and traditional media. Through this internship, interns gain valuable understanding of how to communicate expert insights to a wide variety of audiences. This experience will include working with traditional and new media.

Position Responsibilities:
- Drafting press releases and social media posts that amplify the work of Wilson Center experts
- Distribution of press releases via traditional and new media
- Tracking and analyzing social media metrics on the Wilson Center accounts
- Support photo and video editing on content created by the fellows
- Assistance with regular website maintenance and updates
- Organizational and administrative support
Position Qualifications:
- Undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in external affairs and international affairs.
- Preferred experience working with social media and/or previous internship in Congress
Executive Office Internship
Interns will work with the Executive office and report to the Executive Coordinator. The Executive office is responsible for supporting the President and CEO as she leads the organization and implements key initiatives to achieve the mission of the Wilson Center. Through this experience, interns will gain exposure to all parts of non-profit leadership as the executive office works with every department within the Center.

Position Responsibilities:
- Assist with managing the calendar of executive leadership
- Help to plan and facilitate meetings between external stakeholders and Wilson Center leadership
- Work with executive office staff to coordinate special projects and events
- Prepare and provide briefings on relevant world events to the President & CEO
- Organizational and administrative support
Position Qualifications:
- Undergraduate or graduate students with an interest in international affairs and non-profit work
- Previous experience in a non-profit environment preferred