Brookings Internship Program 2026 | Study in United States — Brookings Institution
⚠️ This scholarship's deadline has passed and it's no longer accepting applications.
Twelve weeks, a real paycheck, and a seat inside one of the most cited think tanks in the world. The Brookings Internship Program brings roughly 150 degree-seeking students and recent graduates into its Washington, D.C. offices each year, spread across three cohorts.
Unlike many think tank internships that run unpaid, every Brookings intern gets compensated, either directly by the institution or through a pre-arranged external partnership.
About the Scholarship
Brookings places interns across five research programs, Governance Studies, Economic Studies, Foreign Policy, Global Economy and Development, and Brookings Metro, plus central business units like communications, finance, and human resources. The Fall 2026 cohort runs 12 weeks, starting either 8 September or 21 September and ending in late November or mid-December, and can be hybrid (at least one day a week in the DC office) or fully remote.
Interns join curated cohort programming alongside their day-to-day project work, with access to internal events, professional development sessions, and Brookings’ employee-led affinity groups. Students weighing other paid US policy internships sometimes also look at the Wilson Center Fellowship Program, a longer, more senior research fellowship in the same city, or the Harris Social Impact Fellowship, which channels a similar policy interest into an 11-month postgraduate program. Undergraduates earlier in their academic path exploring paid research and policy exposure might also compare Brookings against the UNFPA Global Internship Roster, which offers a similarly structured paid internship pool but through the United Nations rather than a domestic think tank.
Because openings post on a rolling basis rather than through one unified application window, the program rewards applicants who watch the careers page closely and move quickly once a relevant research program or business unit lists a position that fits their background.
Scholarship Benefits
- Paid compensation for every intern, either from Brookings directly or a pre-arranged partner
- Placement across five research programs or central business units
- Hybrid or fully remote work options
- Access to internal events, networking, and professional development seminars
- Participation in employee-led professional and affinity networks
- A credential that carries real weight for future policy, research, or nonprofit careers
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs; PhD students are not eligible
- Recent graduates may apply if they graduated within one year of the internship start date
- Open to applicants from any academic major or field of study
- International students need visa sponsorship through their college or university, or independent work authorization, and must hold F-1 or J-1 status with OPT or CPT if selected
- Remote interns must be based in the US and cannot work from Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, or Washington state
- Past or current Brookings interns are not eligible to reapply
Fields of Study Covered
- Economics and public policy
- Governance and political science
- International relations and foreign policy
- International development
- Urban and metropolitan policy
- Communications, finance, and human resources for business-unit placements
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Official or unofficial transcript
- Writing sample, if required for the specific position
- Two references or letters of recommendation, requested only from selected interns
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
1. Monitor the official Brookings careers page, since openings post on a rolling basis beginning in mid-May.
2. Identify a specific research program or business unit opening that matches your background.
3. Prepare your resume, cover letter, and transcript in advance so you can apply as soon as a relevant listing appears.
4. Submit your complete application through the online portal before the position’s deadline.
5. Watch for a confirmation email once your application is complete, and check the portal for status updates.
6. If shortlisted, prepare two references or recommendation letters for submission.
Selection Process
Because Brookings posts openings on a rolling basis rather than running one unified cycle, timing and fit with a specific research program matter as much as overall qualifications. Reviewers look for a clear connection between an applicant’s academic background and the specific team they are applying to, along with the writing quality shown in the cover letter and any requested writing sample.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Apply to a specific research program that matches your coursework or career interest, rather than a generic policy internship
- Watch the Brookings careers page closely once listings open in May, since positions can fill quickly
- Tailor your cover letter to the specific research program’s current work, not just Brookings broadly
- Confirm your visa or work authorization status early if applying as an international student
- Double check the remote-work state restrictions before applying if you plan to work outside the DC area
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PhD students apply for the Brookings Internship?
No. Brookings internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students, but PhD students are specifically excluded from eligibility.
Is the internship really paid?
Yes. Every Brookings intern receives compensation, either directly from Brookings or through a pre-arranged external partnership coordinated before the internship begins.
Can international students apply?
Yes, provided they have visa sponsorship through their college or university, or independent work authorization, and hold F-1 or J-1 status with OPT or CPT if selected.
Do I have to relocate to Washington, D.C.?
Not necessarily. Most internships are hybrid, requiring at least one day a week in the DC office, though some positions are fully remote within the US, excluding a specific list of states.
How many interns does Brookings take each year?
Brookings brings on approximately 150 degree-seeking students and recent graduates annually, spread across spring, summer, and fall cohorts.
Can I apply if I already interned at Brookings before?
No. Individuals who have previously interned at Brookings, or who are currently interning, are not eligible to apply again.
Which research programs can I apply to?
Governance Studies, Economic Studies, Foreign Policy, Global Economy and Development, and Brookings Metro, plus central business units such as communications, finance, and human resources.
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