LIST of Science policy internships
Last updated 12/12/15 (If you have an internship you would like to be featured on this list please contact us at beyondsputnik@sciencepolicy.us)
Internships opportunities:
AAAS Internship Opportunities -- The American Association for the Advancement of Science provides paid and unpaid science policy internship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. Internships opportunities are available with several AAAS centers and programs as well as with Science Magazine, the largest circulating weekly of basic research and science policy related news.
AAU Internship in Science and Higher Education Policy -- The Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization of 62 leading public and private research universities in the United States and Canada, provides unpaid internships for college students in the fall, winter/spring, and summer. Among other duties, AAU interns work on substantive projects relating to science and/or higher education policy; track legislation; attend and report on congressional hearings; draft congressional correspondence, briefing papers, and other written materials; and shadow AAU federal relations staff in their daily activities.
AIBS Graduate Student Policy Internship -- The AIBS Public Policy Office offers paid and unpaid science policy internships for current and recent graduate students in the biological sciences. This unique public policy training opportunity provides young scientists with valuable first-hand experience in public policy. Past interns have worked on science policy projects including planning a Capitol Hill science policy briefing, preparing science policy documents, conducting research on science and science education policy initiatives, and attending Congressional and executive branch meetings. AIBS also offers an Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. Winners of this award will receive an expense paid trip to Washington, DC to participate in meetings with their congressional delegation, training and information on the federal budget and appropriations process, a one-year AIBS membership, a complimentary one-year subscription to BioScience, and a copy of Communicating Science: A Primer for Working with the Media.
American Geological Institute Policy Internship -- The AGI offers fall, spring and summer internship opportunities for undergraduates and Masters students in geoscience who have an interest in public policy and how Washington, DC impacts the geoscience community. Interns gain a first-hand understanding of the legislative process and the operation of executive branch agencies. They also hone writing, research, and web publishing skills.
APLU Congressional and Governmental Affairs Internship -- Founded in 1887, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a research, policy, and advocacy organization representing more than 234 public research universities and land-grant institutions in all 50 states. An APLU internship is a unique educational experience for students considering a career in higher education, government relations or science policy. Students with a wide variety of majors have benefited from this internship. Interns will participate in a number of activities, such as attending and reporting on Congressional hearings and federal agency briefings, carrying out research projects, interacting with other members of the higher education community, and other projects and efforts as necessary. Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply.
Brookings Institution Center for Technology Innovation -- The Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings focuses on delivering research in the arena of U.S. and global technology innovation. The CTI's research centers on identifying and analyzing key developments to increase innovation; developing and publicizing best practices to relevant stakeholders; briefing policymakers about actions needed to improve innovation; and enhancing the public and media’s understanding of technology innovation.
Center for American Progress Science Progress Internship -- American Progress offers full- and part-time internships each summer and academic semester. All undergraduate and master's-level students and J.D. and PhD candidates are eligible to apply. Interns will directly engage with the organization’s policy experts and participate in a variety of activities, including training, research, writing, and web-based projects designed to enhance their professional skills. They will gain hands-on experience by directly participating in the many diverse activities in which progressive nonprofits engage.
Lewis Burke Associates LLC Science Policy Internship -- Lewis Burke is a Washington, DC based lobbying and consulting firm specializing in advocacy for scientific research and higher education. Interns can except to conduct substantive research on matters of interest to the firm’s clients, including research funding, student aid, energy, space, transportation, computing, health, technology transfer, and environmental science, expand their knowledge of the legislative process and issues of interest based on interaction with other Lewis-Burke staff, clients, and congressional/federal employees and attend congressional hearings and federal agency meetings and produced summaries and analysis of the events. Internships are structured around the academic semester/summer schedule. A stipend will be provided based on experience and availability.
Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship -- The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship Program is to provide promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the Nation's capital, under the aegis of the National Academies Space Science Board. The Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships are offered twice annually. The summer program is restricted to undergraduates and the autumn program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
MIT Washington Office Internship -- Working with the Senior Legislative Assistant, interns assist MIT staff by playing an active role in national policy debates of relevance to research universities. Specifically, the intern is responsible for producing substantive written assignments that encompass work on current and emerging legislation, congressional testimony, congressional committee hearings, Executive branch directives and agency actions, especially in regard to regulations and new initiatives. Interns are an integral part of the office team and actively interact with Congressional offices, higher education associations, science societies, other university government relations representatives, and federal agency staff. Opportunities for individual initiative are provided and office tasks are kept to a minimum.
National Council for Science and the Environment -- The National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) offers internships for students and recent graduates throughout the year. Preference is given to students or graduates of the NCSE's University Affiliate institutions. NCSE interns may assist in outreach to the academic, governmental, business, and civil communities and some have the opportunity to work directly with the on NCSE science policy matters. Opportunities made available to interns include attending briefings, seminars and conferences -- all important networking opportunities in D.C. and on Capitol Hill.
NIH Internship Opportunities in Federal Technology Transfer -- The NIH Office of Technology Transfer(OTT) has internship opportunities available. OTT is responsible for patenting, marketing, and licensing technologies resulting from basic research done at NIH and FDA. Our industry partners license these basic inventions and commercialize them for the benefit of the general public. Interns will work with OTT staff in the areas of patenting, marketing, licensing, IT and technology transfer policy in pursuit of these goals. Internships are generally limited to part-time(1-2 days per week) and a maximum of 6 months. Variations may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
NSF Summer Scholars Internship Program -- The mission of NSF's Summer Scholars Internship Program (SSIP) is to develop undergraduate and graduate student potential through exposure to relevant science and engineering policy, research and education issues and programs; and to encourage students to earn graduate degrees and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. SSIP participants leave NSF with a better understanding of science administration and how Federal policies affect the science and engineering community. Participation in this program is limited and applications are coordinated through The American Indian Science & Engineering Society; The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; The Quality Education for Minorities Network; and The Washington Internships for Native Students.
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Science & Technology Policy Internship -- Potomac Institute seeks interns who want to be at at the heart of the debate about science and technology policy in the US. Interns assist with research, writing, planning, and organizational activities that support the Institute's mission to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas for the purpose of informing public policy. Focus centers on cyber security, neuroscience, counter-terrorism technology, and future trends that affect security and society.
Research!America Science Policy Internship -- Perform background research and write fact sheets, newsletter articles and text for Research!America’s website, track relevant policy issues, including budget and appropriations legislation, attend briefings, meetings, and hearings on Capitol Hill, as well as events off Capitol Hill that are relevant to our organization’s mission and complete a self-directed project on a science policy topic relevant to the mission of Research!America.
Society of Physics Student Internship Program -- Through the SPS summer internship program, physics undergraduates are placed in organizations that utilize their knowledge, experience and energy to advance meaningful assignments relevant to the organization and the advancement of physics more generally. Participating organizations assign one or more mentors from their senior staff to guide each intern’s work and overall experience. The SPS national office administers the program, hosts joint orientation and concluding sessions, and holds many group activities throughout the summer.
S&T Adviser to U.S. Secretary of State Internship -- The Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) provides scientific and technical advice and resources to bureaus and offices at the U.S. Department of State, building upon the Secretary of State’s emphasis on utilizing “smart power,” “economic statecraft,” and “whole-of-society” approaches. Reporting to the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, STAS promotes science, technology, and engineering as integral components of U.S. diplomacy.
Science & Technology Policy Institute (STPI) Summer Associates -- STPI hires summer interns through IDA's summer intern program as well as in adjunct positions. Typically, interns work in one of research areas described here on a topic that informs science and technology policy.
US House Science, Space and Technology Committee Internship -- The House Science, Space and Technology Committee is involved in many key science and technology policy issues facing the U.S. Congress. The committee has partial or complete jurisdiction over the following federal agencies: the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Energy, EPA, NOAA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the United States Geological Survey. To learn more about internship opportunities with the Committee, e-mail: science@mail.house.gov or call: 202-225-6371.
Individuals interested in applying for internships working for the Republicans on the Committee should mail a cover letter and resume to: Committee on Science, Space, and Technology c/o Internship Program 2321 Rayburn House Office Building Washington DC, 20515. Those interested in applying for internship to work for the Democrats on the Committee can learn more here.
Washington Internship for Students of Engineering (WISE) -- WISE enables students entering their final year of undergraduate engineering study to spend the summer in Washington, D.C. learning how government officials make decisions on complex technological issues and how engineers can contribute to legislative and regulatory public policy decisions. The program is jointly sponsored by several major engineering societies.
Wilson Center Science and Technology Innovation Program Internship -- The Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP) at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is currently seeking interns for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The mission of STIP is to explore the scientific and technological frontier, stimulating discovery and bringing new tools to bear on public policy challenges that emerge as science advances. We work across a range of issues from emerging technology foresight and governance to ethics, strategic planning to risk management, technology assessment to regulatory reinvention, both domestically and internationally.
White House Office of Science & Technology Policy Internship -- The mission of the Office of Science and Technology Policy is threefold; first, to provide the President and his senior staff with accurate, relevant, and timely scientific and technical advice on all matters of consequence; second, to ensure that the policies of the Executive Branch are informed by sound science; and third, to ensure that the scientific and technical work of the Executive Branch is properly coordinated so as to provide the greatest benefit to society. OSTP offers policy and legal internships for fall, spring and summer terms with each term lasting no more than 90 days. These positions are unpaid, however, students may be eligible to receive academic credit from their college or university. To defray the cost of commuting to OSTP, interns may also receive a public transit subsidy. Policy internships are open to interested students from all majors and programs, including law school programs. Legal internships, however, are only open to law and LLM students.
Internships opportunities:
AAAS Internship Opportunities -- The American Association for the Advancement of Science provides paid and unpaid science policy internship opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students. Internships opportunities are available with several AAAS centers and programs as well as with Science Magazine, the largest circulating weekly of basic research and science policy related news.
AAU Internship in Science and Higher Education Policy -- The Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization of 62 leading public and private research universities in the United States and Canada, provides unpaid internships for college students in the fall, winter/spring, and summer. Among other duties, AAU interns work on substantive projects relating to science and/or higher education policy; track legislation; attend and report on congressional hearings; draft congressional correspondence, briefing papers, and other written materials; and shadow AAU federal relations staff in their daily activities.
AIBS Graduate Student Policy Internship -- The AIBS Public Policy Office offers paid and unpaid science policy internships for current and recent graduate students in the biological sciences. This unique public policy training opportunity provides young scientists with valuable first-hand experience in public policy. Past interns have worked on science policy projects including planning a Capitol Hill science policy briefing, preparing science policy documents, conducting research on science and science education policy initiatives, and attending Congressional and executive branch meetings. AIBS also offers an Emerging Public Policy Leadership Award. Winners of this award will receive an expense paid trip to Washington, DC to participate in meetings with their congressional delegation, training and information on the federal budget and appropriations process, a one-year AIBS membership, a complimentary one-year subscription to BioScience, and a copy of Communicating Science: A Primer for Working with the Media.
American Geological Institute Policy Internship -- The AGI offers fall, spring and summer internship opportunities for undergraduates and Masters students in geoscience who have an interest in public policy and how Washington, DC impacts the geoscience community. Interns gain a first-hand understanding of the legislative process and the operation of executive branch agencies. They also hone writing, research, and web publishing skills.
APLU Congressional and Governmental Affairs Internship -- Founded in 1887, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) is a research, policy, and advocacy organization representing more than 234 public research universities and land-grant institutions in all 50 states. An APLU internship is a unique educational experience for students considering a career in higher education, government relations or science policy. Students with a wide variety of majors have benefited from this internship. Interns will participate in a number of activities, such as attending and reporting on Congressional hearings and federal agency briefings, carrying out research projects, interacting with other members of the higher education community, and other projects and efforts as necessary. Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to apply.
Brookings Institution Center for Technology Innovation -- The Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings focuses on delivering research in the arena of U.S. and global technology innovation. The CTI's research centers on identifying and analyzing key developments to increase innovation; developing and publicizing best practices to relevant stakeholders; briefing policymakers about actions needed to improve innovation; and enhancing the public and media’s understanding of technology innovation.
Center for American Progress Science Progress Internship -- American Progress offers full- and part-time internships each summer and academic semester. All undergraduate and master's-level students and J.D. and PhD candidates are eligible to apply. Interns will directly engage with the organization’s policy experts and participate in a variety of activities, including training, research, writing, and web-based projects designed to enhance their professional skills. They will gain hands-on experience by directly participating in the many diverse activities in which progressive nonprofits engage.
Lewis Burke Associates LLC Science Policy Internship -- Lewis Burke is a Washington, DC based lobbying and consulting firm specializing in advocacy for scientific research and higher education. Interns can except to conduct substantive research on matters of interest to the firm’s clients, including research funding, student aid, energy, space, transportation, computing, health, technology transfer, and environmental science, expand their knowledge of the legislative process and issues of interest based on interaction with other Lewis-Burke staff, clients, and congressional/federal employees and attend congressional hearings and federal agency meetings and produced summaries and analysis of the events. Internships are structured around the academic semester/summer schedule. A stipend will be provided based on experience and availability.
Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship -- The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship Program is to provide promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the Nation's capital, under the aegis of the National Academies Space Science Board. The Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships are offered twice annually. The summer program is restricted to undergraduates and the autumn program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students.
MIT Washington Office Internship -- Working with the Senior Legislative Assistant, interns assist MIT staff by playing an active role in national policy debates of relevance to research universities. Specifically, the intern is responsible for producing substantive written assignments that encompass work on current and emerging legislation, congressional testimony, congressional committee hearings, Executive branch directives and agency actions, especially in regard to regulations and new initiatives. Interns are an integral part of the office team and actively interact with Congressional offices, higher education associations, science societies, other university government relations representatives, and federal agency staff. Opportunities for individual initiative are provided and office tasks are kept to a minimum.
National Council for Science and the Environment -- The National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) offers internships for students and recent graduates throughout the year. Preference is given to students or graduates of the NCSE's University Affiliate institutions. NCSE interns may assist in outreach to the academic, governmental, business, and civil communities and some have the opportunity to work directly with the on NCSE science policy matters. Opportunities made available to interns include attending briefings, seminars and conferences -- all important networking opportunities in D.C. and on Capitol Hill.
NIH Internship Opportunities in Federal Technology Transfer -- The NIH Office of Technology Transfer(OTT) has internship opportunities available. OTT is responsible for patenting, marketing, and licensing technologies resulting from basic research done at NIH and FDA. Our industry partners license these basic inventions and commercialize them for the benefit of the general public. Interns will work with OTT staff in the areas of patenting, marketing, licensing, IT and technology transfer policy in pursuit of these goals. Internships are generally limited to part-time(1-2 days per week) and a maximum of 6 months. Variations may be approved on a case-by-case basis.
NSF Summer Scholars Internship Program -- The mission of NSF's Summer Scholars Internship Program (SSIP) is to develop undergraduate and graduate student potential through exposure to relevant science and engineering policy, research and education issues and programs; and to encourage students to earn graduate degrees and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. SSIP participants leave NSF with a better understanding of science administration and how Federal policies affect the science and engineering community. Participation in this program is limited and applications are coordinated through The American Indian Science & Engineering Society; The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities; The Quality Education for Minorities Network; and The Washington Internships for Native Students.
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Science & Technology Policy Internship -- Potomac Institute seeks interns who want to be at at the heart of the debate about science and technology policy in the US. Interns assist with research, writing, planning, and organizational activities that support the Institute's mission to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas for the purpose of informing public policy. Focus centers on cyber security, neuroscience, counter-terrorism technology, and future trends that affect security and society.
Research!America Science Policy Internship -- Perform background research and write fact sheets, newsletter articles and text for Research!America’s website, track relevant policy issues, including budget and appropriations legislation, attend briefings, meetings, and hearings on Capitol Hill, as well as events off Capitol Hill that are relevant to our organization’s mission and complete a self-directed project on a science policy topic relevant to the mission of Research!America.
Society of Physics Student Internship Program -- Through the SPS summer internship program, physics undergraduates are placed in organizations that utilize their knowledge, experience and energy to advance meaningful assignments relevant to the organization and the advancement of physics more generally. Participating organizations assign one or more mentors from their senior staff to guide each intern’s work and overall experience. The SPS national office administers the program, hosts joint orientation and concluding sessions, and holds many group activities throughout the summer.
S&T Adviser to U.S. Secretary of State Internship -- The Office of the Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary (STAS) provides scientific and technical advice and resources to bureaus and offices at the U.S. Department of State, building upon the Secretary of State’s emphasis on utilizing “smart power,” “economic statecraft,” and “whole-of-society” approaches. Reporting to the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, STAS promotes science, technology, and engineering as integral components of U.S. diplomacy.
Science & Technology Policy Institute (STPI) Summer Associates -- STPI hires summer interns through IDA's summer intern program as well as in adjunct positions. Typically, interns work in one of research areas described here on a topic that informs science and technology policy.
US House Science, Space and Technology Committee Internship -- The House Science, Space and Technology Committee is involved in many key science and technology policy issues facing the U.S. Congress. The committee has partial or complete jurisdiction over the following federal agencies: the National Science Foundation, NASA, the Department of Energy, EPA, NOAA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the United States Geological Survey. To learn more about internship opportunities with the Committee, e-mail: science@mail.house.gov or call: 202-225-6371.
Individuals interested in applying for internships working for the Republicans on the Committee should mail a cover letter and resume to: Committee on Science, Space, and Technology c/o Internship Program 2321 Rayburn House Office Building Washington DC, 20515. Those interested in applying for internship to work for the Democrats on the Committee can learn more here.
Washington Internship for Students of Engineering (WISE) -- WISE enables students entering their final year of undergraduate engineering study to spend the summer in Washington, D.C. learning how government officials make decisions on complex technological issues and how engineers can contribute to legislative and regulatory public policy decisions. The program is jointly sponsored by several major engineering societies.
Wilson Center Science and Technology Innovation Program Internship -- The Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP) at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is currently seeking interns for the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The mission of STIP is to explore the scientific and technological frontier, stimulating discovery and bringing new tools to bear on public policy challenges that emerge as science advances. We work across a range of issues from emerging technology foresight and governance to ethics, strategic planning to risk management, technology assessment to regulatory reinvention, both domestically and internationally.
White House Office of Science & Technology Policy Internship -- The mission of the Office of Science and Technology Policy is threefold; first, to provide the President and his senior staff with accurate, relevant, and timely scientific and technical advice on all matters of consequence; second, to ensure that the policies of the Executive Branch are informed by sound science; and third, to ensure that the scientific and technical work of the Executive Branch is properly coordinated so as to provide the greatest benefit to society. OSTP offers policy and legal internships for fall, spring and summer terms with each term lasting no more than 90 days. These positions are unpaid, however, students may be eligible to receive academic credit from their college or university. To defray the cost of commuting to OSTP, interns may also receive a public transit subsidy. Policy internships are open to interested students from all majors and programs, including law school programs. Legal internships, however, are only open to law and LLM students.