15 Public Policy Internships for Undergraduates

Internships are one of the most practical ways to use your time in college. They let you apply what you are learning in class while helping you build professional skills. Through an internship, you start to understand how organizations operate, how teams communicate, and what employers expect from early-career professionals. Just as importantly, internships give you concrete experiences you can point to on your resume. 

Why should I do a public policy internship in college?

Policy work is tied to institutions like governments, nonprofits, think tanks, and advocacy groups. An internship at one of these helps you see how ideas turn into research, reports, legislation, or programs that affect people’s lives. Employers in policy-related fields often expect some prior experience, even for entry-level roles. Having a relevant internship on your resume signals that you understand professional norms and can contribute in a work environment. Finally, public policy internships are a strong way to build a professional network early. The people you meet can become references, mentors, or future colleagues, which can help you make decisions about your career path. For many students, that clarity is as valuable as the skills they gain. 

To help you focus your search, we narrowed down a list of 15 top public policy internships for undergraduates. We looked at prestige, rigor of professional experience, and opportunities to network.

1. Ladder University Internship Program – Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 25 percent; approximately 100 students per cohort
Dates: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter cohorts available
Application Deadline: Spring: January; Summer: May; Fall: September; Winter: November
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks

This remote internship program matches you with organizations or startups working on projects that may involve public policy, social impact, or regulatory research. You might analyze policy documents, summarize legislation, or track how laws affect specific populations or industries. The work is structured around a defined project with a final deliverable you submit at the end of the term. You’ll check in regularly with a Ladder coach for feedback and guidance. This option works well if you need flexibility or want policy exposure without relocating. Apply now!

2. U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program – U.S. Department of State

Location: Washington, D.C. and international posts
Stipend: Paid (GS-04/Step 1 base pay, plus travel and housing assistance)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 200 interns per cohort
Dates: Summer: May – August/September; Fall: September – December; Spring: January – May
Application Deadline: Summer: Early October; Fall: Late February/Early March; Spring: Late June/Early July
Eligibility: U.S. citizens currently enrolled in college with a minimum 3.2 GPA

In this internship, you’ll be placed in a State Department bureau that focuses on U.S. foreign policy or diplomatic operations. Your tasks could include drafting or editing reports, preparing background research, and supporting meetings or international events. You’ll contribute written and research materials that help inform policy discussions within your office. You will also attend meetings that provide insight into how global political and economic issues are handled in practice. This internship is a strong fit if you’re exploring careers in diplomacy or international affairs.

3. Washington State Legislative Internship Program – Washington State Legislature

Location: Olympia, WA
Stipend: $2,400 per month
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; approximately 70 interns
Dates: January 6 – March 12
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors enrolled at a Washington state college or university

The Washington State Legislative Internship Program is a competitive, full-time, paid professional development program where undergraduate students work directly within the Washington State Legislature in Olympia, Washington. This internship runs during the legislative session and places you in a legislative office or with caucus staff. Your work may include tracking bills, researching policy topics, and helping respond to constituent inquiries. You’ll attend hearings and floor sessions, giving you a direct look at how state legislation moves forward. Some assignments involve summarizing proposed laws or preparing briefing materials for staff use. The program offers structured exposure to state-level policymaking.

4. Congressional Research Service Student Internship Program – Library of Congress

Location: Washington, D.C. (some remote roles available)
Stipend: Paid; varies by role
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; roughly 15–25 interns
Dates: 10–12 weeks starting in early June
Application Deadline: Late January or early February, depending on position
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; undergraduate or graduate students

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Student Internship Program is a highly selective, experiential learning program hosted by the Library of Congress. It is designed to introduce students to the unique role of the CRS, which serves as a nonpartisan "think tank" for the U.S. Congress. You’ll assist professional staff with gathering sources, summarizing policy materials, and organizing research used in congressional reports. Your work will contribute to nonpartisan analysis across areas like law, economics, science, and social policy. Interns also support internal research workflows tied to active legislative requests. This experience is well-suited for students interested in policy analysis and government research.

5. The Heritage Foundation Young Leaders Program – The Heritage Foundation

Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $18 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 55–60 interns
Dates: Summer: May 11 – August 7; Fall: September 8 – December 4
Application Deadline: Summer: February 1; Fall: May 31
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or work-authorized undergraduates and recent graduates

The Heritage Foundation Young Leaders Program is a premier internship and professional development initiative designed to recruit and train the next generation of conservative policy leaders. This semester-based internship places you within one of Heritage’s policy or communications departments. Your tasks may include research support, drafting summaries, assisting with reports, or helping coordinate events tied to policy work. The program includes scheduled briefings and lectures that contextualize your day-to-day assignments. You’ll interact with policy professionals and visiting speakers throughout the term. This program is a good fit if you want structured exposure to think tank work.

6. Brookings Institution Internship Program – Brookings Institution

Location: Washington, D.C.; hybrid and remote options available
Stipend: Paid; rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; around 150 interns annually
Dates: Summer: June – August; Fall: September – December; Spring: January – April
Application Deadline: Summer: February; Fall: June; Spring: October
Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates

The Brookings Institution Internship Program is a structured professional and academic opportunity designed to provide undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on experience in public policy research and analysis. It integrates you into the daily operations of a public policy research organization where you’ll support teams through research, data organization, writing assistance, and event preparation. You are included in internal meetings that connect their tasks to broader research questions. Work format varies by team and may be in-person, hybrid, or remote. This program works well for students considering policy research or analysis careers.

7. Cato Institute Internship Program – Cato Institute

Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $17.50 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; 25–30 interns per semester
Dates: Spring: January – April; Summer: May – August; Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: Spring: November 2; Summer: February 16; Fall: June 28
Eligibility: Current undergraduates and recent graduates

The Cato Institute Internship Program is a premier professional development opportunity for undergraduate students, recent graduates, and graduate students who are dedicated to the principles of libertarianism, individual liberty, limited government, and free markets.You’ll work closely with policy scholars and staff on research and communications projects. Tasks often include sourcing materials, organizing data, fact-checking, and preparing content for publications or public events. Your assignments are tied to research timelines across areas like economics, law, and foreign policy. The program runs during both academic terms and the summer. This is a solid option if you want exposure to policy research within a think tank setting.

8. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities – CBPP

Location: Washington, D.C.; hybrid or in-person
Stipend: $18 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 15–20 interns per term
Dates: Fall: September – December; Spring: January – May (16 weeks); Summer: June – August (10–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Fall: June 20; Spring: October; Summer: February
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students and recent graduates

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research organization and policy institute that analyzes federal and state government budget policies and programs. This internship focuses on research related to economic security, budgeting, and social policy. You’ll help compile and synthesize policy information, prepare research summaries, and support ongoing projects tied to federal and state policy debates. The work emphasizes careful analysis and clear written communication, and roles follow a defined semester or summer schedule and are fully paid. This program is well-suited for students interested in economic or social policy research.

9. U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program – U.S. Department of State

Location: Washington, D.C. and overseas embassies or consulates
Stipend: Paid at GS-4 equivalent
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; about 35 students per year
Dates: Two consecutive 10-week summers
Application Deadline: Early September
Eligibility: Sophomores or juniors with a minimum 3.2 GPA who can obtain security clearance

The U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program (USFSIP) is a highly selective, two-summer experiential learning program designed to expose undergraduate students to U.S. diplomacy and the work of the Department of State. It begins with training and office work in Washington, D.C., followed by a second summer abroad at a U.S. mission. Your assignments include research, writing, and administrative support related to foreign policy. The overseas placement offers exposure to how U.S. diplomatic offices operate internationally. Across both summers, you’ll observe coordination between domestic and international policy teams.

10. American Civil Liberties Union Internship Program – ACLU

Location: Remote or hybrid, depending on department
Stipend: Paid; rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 15–25 undergraduate interns per term
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring terms available (10–12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Summer: February; Fall: June/July; Spring: October
Eligibility: Undergraduates and graduate students

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Internship Program is a professional development initiative that provides undergraduate, graduate, and law students with direct experience in civil rights advocacy, litigation, and public policy. You work across departments focused on litigation, advocacy, policy, or communications. Your responsibilities depend on the team you join and may include research, writing, outreach support, or organizing case-related materials. Assignments reflect active civil rights and civil liberties work. Terms are offered year-round and vary in length. This program is a good fit for students interested in legal or advocacy-oriented policy work.

11. Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute Global Leaders Program – CHLI

Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10–15 interns per semester
Dates: Spring: January – May; Fall: August – December
Application Deadline: Spring: October 10; Fall: March 31
Eligibility: Sophomores through seniors or recent graduates at a four-year college

The Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) Global Leaders Program is a premier, residential leadership development program in Washington, D.C., designed to prepare high-achieving Hispanic and Latino college students for careers in public policy, government affairs, and the global corporate sector. It combines placements in a congressional office and a corporate legislative affairs office. You’ll assist with research, constituent communication, and legislative tracking. The dual placement structure lets you compare how public and private organizations engage with policy. Professional development sessions run alongside your office work. This is a good fit if you want exposure to both government and corporate policy roles.

12. American Enterprise Institute Summer Honors Program – AEI

Location: Remote
Stipend: $250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 12–20 students per cohort
Dates: One-week sessions in June or July
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and recent graduates; first-time participants

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Summer Honors Program is an intensive, fully funded leadership and academic program in Washington, D.C., designed for high-achieving undergraduate students interested in public policy, economics, and politics. In this program, you’ll engage in discussions led by scholars and guest speakers across topics like economics, governance, and foreign policy. The experience emphasizes dialogue, analysis, and exposure to policy debates. Some students are invited to extended seminar tracks. Travel and housing support are included for in-person components.

13. White House Internship Program – Executive Office of the President

Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; roughly 100–150 interns per cohort
Dates: Summer: June 3 – August 7; Spring: January 21 – April 10; Fall: September 3 – December 18
Application Deadline: Summer: January 5; Spring: August 11; Fall: April 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program or recent graduates; must be 18+ and pass background and drug screenings; or be a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (discharged within the last two years)

This internship places you within offices that support the daily work of the Executive Office of the President. Your responsibilities often include policy research, drafting briefings, handling correspondence, and supporting internal projects tied to communications or administration. You’ll work in a federal environment and follow established government procedures while working on written and research-based tasks. The program also includes orientations and meetings that help you understand how different offices coordinate their work. This experience is best suited for students interested in federal government operations and public service.

14. Feminist Majority Foundation Internship Program – Feminist Majority Foundation

Location: Washington, D.C. or Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 10–20 interns per location
Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall terms
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduates with strong academics and an interest in feminist issues

The Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) Internship Program is a professional development opportunity for undergraduate students (and recent graduates) to gain hands-on experience in public policy, grassroots organizing, and non-profit advocacy. Your tasks may include legislative monitoring, research, drafting campaign materials, or assisting with events and outreach. You’ll work closely with staff on projects connected to public policy and communications. This experience is suitable for students interested in issue-based advocacy.

15. Virtual Student Federal Service – VSFS

Location: Remote
Stipend: No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1,500–2,000 interns annually
Dates: September – May
Application Deadline: Late July
Eligibility: Degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students

The Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) is a remote internship program managed by the U.S. Department of State that allows U.S. citizen students to work with various federal agencies on unclassified projects. In this program, your responsibilities vary by office and may include research, communications, data management, or policy support tasks. All work is completed remotely alongside your academic schedule. You’ll collaborate through virtual meetings and regular mentor check-ins. VSFS is a practical option if you want federal experience without relocating.

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