Research Internships

Research Interns work under the direct supervision of the Institute’s scholars in one of the following research areas:  Africa, Asia, Eurasia, and the Middle East. There are also limited internship opportunities for those interested in National Security, and the Intelligence Community. Duties and availability vary between programs, so applicants should specify which research program they are interested in and will be matched with a scholar in that program upon acceptance. This position allows for remote interns who can communicate with their supervisor via web conferencing and/or phone.  Visit our Intern Corner to see published work from former FPRI interns.

FPRI’s Eurasia Program aims to examine the political, security, economic, and social trends shaping Europe and Eurasia. It aims to provide an impartial, evidence-based analysis of the region, drawing on scholarship to illuminate contemporary trends. The program’s current activities put special emphasis on the Baltic and Black Sea regions, as well as Russia’s foreign policy and political economy. The program seeks interns who can fulfill various communications, operations, research, and editorial tasks. Intern experiences vary based on need and individual skills, but may include research performed under the direct supervision of the Eurasia Program Deputy Director such as maintaining data files, conducting literature searches, and compiling indices. Other work may include formatting publications; generating content for and managing social media; assisting with editing and promoting multimedia; fact-checking and proofreading articles; and helping plan and organize events. Advanced language skills, and study abroad, field research, or time spent in the region are particularly of interest. 

FPRI’s Middle East Program is dedicated to providing non-partisan and policy-relevant analysis in line with the organization’s mission of bringing the insights of scholarship to bear on the foreign policy and national security challenges facing the United States in this important region. Interns in the Middle East program will work directly with the Director of the Middle East Program, Fellows, and contributors to craft a growing record of publications and research projects addressing shifting regional and global priorities in the region. Interns will gain substantive experience in research assistance and build networks and connections across the policy and academic communities. Language skills in one or more languages of the Middle East (Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, Kurdish), along with study abroad, field research, or time spent in the Middle East region are particularly of interest. 

FPRI’s Africa Program seeks to inform and educate policymakers, business leaders, and the American public on the diversity and complexity of the African continent. We achieve this through publications and programs by scholars and practitioners in the fields of diplomacy, government, geopolitics, national security and defense, international development, and private industry both in the United States and abroad, but particularly in Africa. With more than 50 nations and hundreds of ethnic groups and languages spoken, Africa faces many challenges, including violent extremism and terrorism, climate change, pandemic diseases, and economic equity. However, Africa also has significant advantages, including the youngest population of any continent, vast resources, and enormous economic potential. Interns should have the ability to assist with administrative and research tasks including, but not limited to: compiling event attendee listings and demographics, post-event outreach, presentation preparation, scheduling phone and Zoom meetings, researching and building a listing of contacts and scholars, disseminating correspondence, and general research related to the interests of the Africa program. Interns must have the ability to effectively communicate with their supervisors via Zoom, Skype, or by phone.

FPRI’s Asia Program monitors key developments in the Indo-Pacific, conducts research on issues relevant to U.S. foreign policy in the region, and communicates research findings directly to the public and policymakers. The Asia team’s current research focuses on China and topics related to geoeconomics, critical technologies, defense issues, foreign influence, and regional politics. Underpinning all of the Asia team’s work is a commitment to advancing U.S. national security and improving U.S. foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific. This internship program prioritizes education, mentorship, and career development. To the extent possible, the Asia team will tailor assignments to the intern’s interests and career goals. The Asia team provides interns with the opportunity to support multiple research projects and encourages interns to conduct their own independent research for publication via FPRI’s Intern Corner.

The Asia team is especially interested in any applicants with experience translating Chinese language documents or working with data (data analysis, data collection, or data management).