Summer 2026, Research & Project Coordination Internship, Center for Sustainable Development, Global Economy and Development (Job ID 2026-3803)

The Brookings Institution • Internship • Washington, District of Columbia • 2w ago

Overview

Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings - one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

Interns spend approximately12weeksworking alongsideleading experts in government and academia from all over the world.Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management.The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students witha pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest.Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills.

Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution.

The Global Economy and Development (“Global”) program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress.

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year with an interest in global sustainable development, local government, and rural policy to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visitourCareers pagefor current open positions.This internship pays an hourly rate of $18.40, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than40hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more aboutBrookingsresearch programs, clickhere.

Position Location: This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with theoptionof remote work.Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Please only apply if you can live and work in states other than those listed above for the duration of the internship.

Responsibilities

The Global Economy and Development (“Global”) program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress. The Center for Sustainable Development (CSD), housed within Global, generates leading research and practical insights to advance global sustainable development and implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within and across all countries. CSD engages with diverse activities focused on the intersection of economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. This includes the Reimagining Rural Policy initiative, which provides analysis and recommendations to inform federal policies that promote prosperity and equity for America’s rural communities and Native American nations. The intern will gain exposure to a broad set of policy topics related to domestic federal policy and international development, while developing their analytical thinking, organizational, and writing skills. This intern will track legislative developments; conduct research on the impact of proposed policies and potential new policy solutions for rural community and economic development; and organize and participate in meetings with a range of rural development experts. Applicants should expect a range of opportunities, broadly defined under the following categories:

General research and writing: The intern will assist a senior fellow of the Reimagining Rural Policy initiative with a project to reimagine federal policy for rural community and economic development, alongside other projects. Examples of anticipated tasks include literature review, conducting data searches, data analysis, database updates, bibliographic support, fact-checking, and contributing to blogs, research briefs, and presentations.

Event Coordination and Administrative Support: During the internship period, there will be virtual meetings and events for which the intern will provide support through drafting invitations, tracking registration, communication with external stakeholders, and coordinating travel. The intern will also support the scholar by creating PowerPoints, drafting public remarks, and scheduling meetings.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Experience:

Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year completing a degree in a relevant field or with relevant other experience (i.e. political science, public policy, economics, economic development, etc.). Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in public policy, promoting equity, and ideally in creating local, regional, and national policies that eliminate poverty and sources of distress in rural U.S. communities. Applicants must have some knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods research, and experience in conducting literature searches and review. Strong written and verbal communication skills required. Quantitative research experience (economic analysis, experience working with federal spending data, quantitative analysis of policy impact) a plus. Additionally, applicants must have prior meeting or event coordination experience and a strong attention to detail.

Additional Information:

This internship requires you tobe located inthe U.S. for the duration of the internship.

Successful completion of a background investigation isfor interning at Brookings.

Brookings requires that all applicantssubmita cover letter and resume.Pleasesubmityour resume as instructed and include your cover letter as a separate attachment when you apply.Youare required tosubmit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application.Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals.Please address your cover letter toHiringManager.

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.  

Please note: Applications will be accepted untilFebruary 22,2026.Applications not completed andsubmittedby the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfullysubmitted.

As you are applying, please be sure toclick heretolearn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be anequal-opportunityemployer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills,abilitiesand experience.