The John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding

Security Related Internships

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“Build Your Own” Security-Related Internship

What constitutes a security-related internship? Generally speaking, if an internship is focused on peace or security, or is offered by an institution with work that focuses on issues of peace and security, then it qualifies.

In the past, we’ve funded internships with the American Enterprise Institute, the Hudson Institute, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Department of Justice, and the Association for Diplomatic Studies & Training.

Eligibility/Requirements

  • Internship must be 8-10 weeks in duration.
  • Internship must be unpaid.
  • You must already have been accepted for the internship by your host organization.

Application

The deadline for Winter ’26 “Build Your Own” Security-Related internships has passed. The spring application window will be announced later this fall.

Stimson Center Internships

The Stimson Center promotes international security and shared prosperity through applied research and independent analysis, global engagement, and policy innovation. A number of programs at the Stimson Center are seeking highly motivated candidates for full- or part-time (20-40 hours per week) internships. You can apply to multiple Stimson Center internships offered through the Dickey Center. If selected, you will be paired with the internship that best matches Stimson’s needs, as well as the your profile.

The Deadline for Winter 2026 Stimson Center internship applications has passed. The window for Spring 2026 applications will open later this fall. 

Parternships in Proliferation Prevention (PPP) Internship

The Partnerships in Proliferation Prevention (PPP) Program at the Henry L. Stimson Center seeks to increase partner country, regional, and international capacity to prevent the spread of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) weapons, and their means of delivery. We focus on analytical research as well as the development of unique resources and tools for use by the nonproliferation community. The PPP Program also leads the International Nuclear Security Forum (INSF), the largest collective of civil society organizations working to reduce the risk of nuclear terrorism.

Major responsibilities 

The Winter 2026 PPP internship will focus on substantive and administrative project support, to include support for an online legal database and index tool for radioactive material security through:

  • Open-source research to find and, where necessary, create unofficial machine/AI translations of UN member state laws and regulations
  • Use of pre-developed coding rubric to review and code UN member state laws and regulations on security of radioactive material
  • Updates to WordPress legal database fields with coding results
  • Digital file management and organization;
  • Daily status and trouble-shooting briefings for PPP Program Director

And support the production of a monthly nuclear security newsletter through:

  • Daily review and curation of international nuclear security news
  • Open-source job board search for and curation of nuclear security opportunities
  • Creation and formatting of monthly newsletter in Stimson template
  • Creation of social media posts

Cyber Internship

The Cyber Program at the Stimson Center seeks highly motivated candidates for a full- or part-time (20-40 hours per week) internship.

Rapid technological change is posing new and emerging threats to peace, security, and human rights in the United States and around the world. Stimson’s Cyber Program has a global outlook and focuses on the tools and mechanisms that deter malicious cyber activity and address cyber harms. It does so through research, collaboration, and dialogue.

Current projects focus on international law, deterrence, and accountability; the role of the UN Security Council and other global bodies; online cybercrime scam operations; among others. The Program participates informally in several external initiatives that focus on specific cyber threats or that seek to improve understandings about responsible cyber behavior, while also collaborating with other Stimson Center teams and experts.

The program is currently seeking an intern interested in learning more about these issues and gaining hands-on policy research experience.

Duties: Responsibilities for the Cyber intern may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Conducting qualitative and quantitative research and analysis on issues related to cybersecurity and cybercrime and contributing writing to program publications or outputs.
  • Liaising with other Stimson Center programs that the Cyber Program collaborates with.
  • Providing administrative and logistical support for staff and internal and external events.
  • Attending and reporting on briefings and events hosted by relevant government agencies, Congress, academic institutions, and other non-governmental organizations.

Strategic Foresight Hub Internship

The Stimson Center’s Strategic Foresight Hub is seeking interns to support our research, events, and communications at the intersection of global risk analysis and geopolitics. Our work spans several verticals, including AI & technology, national security, U.S.-China relations, and geoeconomics. This internship will provide hands-on experience in policy analysis, program coordination, and the day-to-day work of a leading think tank. Interns will gain exposure to prominent foreign policy debates, interact with experts and practitioners, and develop concrete professional skills.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct literature reviews and background research on international security, technology policy, and global risk analysis
  • Draft summaries, memos, or background reports for staff
  • Assist with preparation and logistics for public and private events, both in-person and virtual
  • Track news and policy developments relevant to the Hub’s work
  • Support communications by drafting newsletter content
  • Provide other ad-hoc programmatic support

Desired Qualifications

  • Current undergraduate or graduate student in international relations, public policy, or a related field
  • Strong research and writing skills
  • Attention to detail, organizational skills, and time management skills
  • Interest in global risk analysis, technology policy, and international security

Internship Details

  • Location: Interns must be based in Washington, DC and able to work in-person
  • Hours: Typical interns work 32 hours per week, Monday-Thursday
  • Reporting: Interns report to Giulia Neaher, Research Analyst, Strategic Foresight Hub.

Better World Campaign Internships

The deadline for Winter 2026 Better World Campaign internship applications has passed. The window for Spring 2026 applications will open later this fall. 

Legislative and Research Intern in DC

The Better World Campaign is looking for a legislative and research intern to support our outreach to Capitol Hill in support of the U.S.-UN relationship. Interns will have the opportunity to support outreach to legislators, research emerging issues in the U.S.-UN space, assist with strategic communications campaigns, and support general office functions as needed. Additionally, for the fall term, interns will gain experience researching and drafting advocacy materials through the contributions to our annual UN Explained report. Applicants should have good research and writing skills, high-level communication, and an interest in international relations, policy, or political science.

UN Affairs Intern in NYC

The Better World Campaign is seeking a UN affairs intern to support our NYC office in the tracking of developments in the UN system and in support of our DC-based Congressional outreach. Interns will have the opportunity to gain insights into the operations of the UN and bodies like the UN Security Council, research emerging issues in the U.S.-UN space, write on significant peace and security developments for a Congressional audience, and support general office functions as needed. Applicants should have good research and writing skills, high-level communication, and an interest in international relations or policy. Experience with or knowledge of international organizations and the UN specifically is a bonus.

U.S. Naval War College Internships

The U.S. Naval War College (NWC) offers both remote and in-person internship opportunities. Student interns work directly (or remotely) with Naval War College faculty on research related to a wide range of topics in international affairs, security studies, and foreign relations. Past interns have contributed to research on cyber security, counterterrorism, energy policy, ethics and technology, great-power competition, grand strategy, and maritime conflict, among other themes and topics.

The internship program welcomes students from various academic backgrounds. We are particularly interested in students with training and interests in international history, political science, international relations, economics, and security studies. Students with strong language skills, especially Chinese and Russian, are also encouraged to apply.

The Initiative for Global Security offers funding for Naval War College internships during the fall, winter, and spring terms. The program identifies internship opportunities, based on the needs and availability of Naval War College departments, centers, and faculty. Student interns must be U.S. citizens actively pursuing a degree. To be eligible for this internship students must be on a registered “L” term with the College.

Application

The application is the first phase of a two-phased process. If you are selected by the review committee at the Dickey Center, you will be given further guidance on how to apply directly with the team at NWC. They will require, at least, a cover letter, current CV, and a transcript. If the NWC is able to place you in an internship, the Dickey Center will work with you on funding and pre-departure information.

Note: The application process for these internships is longer than those for most, thus you must apply two terms in advance. The application window for Summer 2026 will open later this fall.

Questions?

Reach out to Tom Candon

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