FDD Action’s Policy Summer Internship

FDD Action’s Policy Summer 2026 Internship

Recruitment began on February 9, 2026

and the job listing Expires on March 12, 2026

Internship Exploring General Business & Beyond, Marketing & Communications

FDD Action is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that works with policymakers to advance a robust U.S. foreign policy—one that strengthens our national security, counters our adversaries, and supports our allies. FDD Action provides Congress with actionable insights and legislative solutions, including through the NDAA and appropriations processes, to counter China, Russia, Iran, and other adversaries and threats. Our extensive expertise ranges from sanctions and counter terrorism to arms sales, combating antisemitism, and addressing foreign influence in education.

FDD Action’s Policy Internship

We are seeking full-time and part-time policy interns to work at the intersection of research, strategy, and legislative action. You’ll be embedded in real congressional projects: analyzing pressing national security challenges and tracking live policy debates as they unfold on Capitol Hill. Issue areas include sanctions and export controls, defense policy, and countering foreign malign influence and activities. Through this internship, interns will contribute to FDD Action’s efforts to shape policies being developed in Congress.

As a policy intern, you will develop a tangible skill set and insider knowledge of how Congress actually works—the kind of foundation that launches Capitol Hill careers. Expect to sharpen your research, writing, and analytical abilities while building a professional network that extends well beyond your time here. You’ll also gain unique experience in our policy work, providing insight into how national security advocacy operates in practice.

We provide interns with dedicated mentorship and career guidance through educational sessions with issue-area experts and FDD Action staff. Our alumni have gone on to hold positions in congressional offices, think tanks, and executive-branch agencies.

We are looking for detail-oriented self-starters with strong research skills and genuine curiosity about the legislative process. Prior Hill experience is a plus, but is not required—motivation and initiative matter more.

• Conduct legislative research on pressing national security issues in support of FDD Action’s policy objectives
• Track and analyze policy developments as they move through the NDAA and appropriations processes
• Monitor, summarize, and analyze executive and legislative branch actions
• Attend, cover, and summarize key congressional hearings and national security events
• Provide responsive research support to FDD Action staff
• Prepare briefing materials and background documents for congressional meetings
• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Should have a relevant course of study and have completed coursework in any of the following fields:
  International Relations, Security Studies, History, Communications, Journalism, International Economics, Political Science. Computer science, and/or a relevant STEM field of study.
• Interns should have knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, as well as basic Excel skills.
• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Resume/CV
• Cover letter (Please review our website and include which FDD projects and issue areas resonate with you and why. Also indicate where you found this internship and your availability for the semester.)
• Writing Sample (no more than 3 pages)

Please specify the department(s) for which you would like to be considered (feel free to indicate preferences) in your cover letter. While you may use the same cover letter for multiple positions, please submit a separate application for each position of interest.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.