Institute for Humane Studies
at George Mason University
3301 N. Fairfax Dr., Ste. 440
Arlington VA 22201
703.993.4880
800.697.8799
fax: 703.993.4890
Washington, DC Policy Internships -- Possible Organizations
Washington, DC, Policy Internship Placements 
If accepted to the program, the Institute for Humane Studies will assign you an internship at one of a variety of participating organizations. Internship experiences range from policy analysis to journalism to legal work. Some offer exposure to a wide range of policy areas, while some do specialized work on a single issue.

In the application, you will be asked to provide information about which policy issues and potential host organizations interest you. Using our knowledge about the different organizations, their specific projects, and their needs, we take your preferences into account and arrange the best possible summer experience for you.

There are several ways to browse the list of organizations:

When reviewing list of organizations:
  • Try to determine which organizations best fit your interests and abilities. 
  • Investigate the organizations' websites to see the policy issues and experts at that organization, and to determine whether you will fit in with their culture.
  • Keep in mind that interns at smaller organizations usually receive more attention and gain more experience than interns at larger think tanks.

Note: Some organizations require that candidates apply directly, in addition to applying for the Koch Summer Fellow Program. Make sure to apply to these organizations before their deadlines.  You may also apply separately to an organization not on this list. See the instructions for Applying to Organizations Separately.

If you're interested in State-Based Policy Internships, please visit the corresponding web pages.  If you are interested in hosting a Koch Summer Fellow at your organization, please read and fill out the Host Institute Application form.

Continue to Workshops and Training to explore the other parts of the program.

DC Internship Placement Options - by Issue Area

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DC Internship Placement Options - Complete List

Alliance for School Choice: The Alliance for School Choice is the nation's leading organization promoting school vouchers, educational tax credits, and other school choice programs. Interns at ASC assist with major projects supporting our state, communications, development, finance, and executive teams. Interns are expected to provide substantive input, advice, and suggestions regarding key projects. An interest in school choice issues and knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Word and Excel, is needed.

American Enterprise Institute: The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) is dedicated to preserving and strengthening the foundations of freedom--government, private enterprise, vital cultural and political institutions, and a strong foreign policy and national defense--through scholarly research, open debate, and publications. Specific intern duties vary according to department. Visit www.aei.org/internships to view the available opportunities at AEI. Prospective interns are expected to have completed upper level college coursework in their area of interest and to have maintained at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. If you're interested in this internship, you will need to submit the AEI Internship Application (Deadline: April 1) in addition to applying for the Koch Summer Fellow Program. Applications for AEI are reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply early.

The American Magazine: Formerly The American Enterprise, The American is a national magazine of business and economics, focusing on the big ideas and trends that connect business to politics, art and culture, and civil discourse. Interns assist with editing, proofing and fact-checking pieces for American.com and the print magazine, search for the most insightful business and economics content on the web, and develop, research and write their own stories. Interest and experience in journalism is essential. This interinship is a part of the larger AEI internship program, so interetsed candidates will need to submit the AEI Internship Application (Deadline: April 1) in addition to applying for the Koch Summer Fellow Program. Applications for AEI are reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply early.

America's Future Foundation: AFF's mission is to identify and develop the next generation of conservative and libertarian leaders. AFF targets conservative and libertarian professionals in their second stage of development as leaders and offers them the chance to develop their skills--to debate, publish, strategize, reflect, govern, and learn. Interns work on AFF's quarterly print magazine, Doublethink, and weekly online magazine, Brainwash, by researching, writing, and editing articles and blog posts. Interns also have the opportunity to conduct interviews and edit AFF's weekly podcast radio program. This internship is ideal for interns with interest or experience in print and radio journalism.

Americans for Prosperity Foundation: Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFPF) is a nationwide organization of citizen leaders committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFPF educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. This placement is ideal for those interested in a policy internship with a focus on individual freedom and initiative at the state and federal level. Interns analyze and track state legislation, state spending and state initiatives; develop issue campaign strategies and mobilization techniques; write opinion editorials; and assist with fundraising. AFPF interns work closely with senior management and have the ability to learn numerous aspects of grassroots mobilization and national organization management, focusing on supporting state grassroots chapters across the country.

Americans for Tax Reform: ATR opposes all tax increases as a matter of principle and works toward a system in which taxes are simpler, fairer, flatter, more visible, and lower than they are today. Since 1986, ATR has been leading the fight to bring tax relief and to stop new avenues of taxation. Americans for Tax Reform strongly supports the concept of a single rate, flat tax, and works to reduce the number of times the same money is taxed. Interns Associates are assigned primarily to one staff member in federal or state policy and work on projects such as the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, the American Shareholders Association, the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project, the Cost of Government Day, state coalition building, and writing press releases, letters, and blogs entries. Applicants should have a strong interest in tax reform and economic policy.

Atlantic Council of the United States: The Atlantic Council of the United States promotes constructive U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting the challenges of the 21st century. Interns will help plan and administer events, research and write on topics being studied at the Council, attend events and meetings in Washington, particularly on Capitol Hill, and assist in the administration of the office. Interns should have a strong interest in international affairs, business, and/or education. Applicants should possess some administrative or office experience. This is a highly competitive internship and applicants for this opportunity are encouraged to apply early.

Atlas Economic Research Foundation: Atlas's mission is to discover, develop and support ‘intellectual entrepreneurs’ worldwide who can advance the Atlas vision of a society of free and responsible individuals. Atlas believes that building independent think tanks that can produce and disseminate credible principled research is the best way to affect a long-term change in the climate of ideas. Interns work on organization-wide tasks, such as preparing for our International Thursdays, perform administrative activities as assigned by the supervisor, and conduct one major project, such as an international market research of the think tanks in our network. Note: Atlas is not a policy research organization.
 

Bureaucrash Foundation: Bureaucrash is changing world-wide cultural norms toward a greater and more conscious acceptance of the classical liberal freedom philosophy. Bureaucrash serves three purposes within the movement: recruiting, networking, pro-freedom activism, and marketing of pro-freedom ideas. Depending on interest and skills, interns are assigned a specific project to manage, such as managing video products, websites, graphics creation; writing articles for publication; and leading creative activism. This is an ideal internship for someone interested in marketing, communications, or grassroots activism.

Capital Research Center: CRC analyzes organizations that promote the growth of government and identifies viable private alternatives to government regulatory and entitlement programs. Our research forms the basis for a variety of publications. Best suited for conservative students with an interest in the role of private philanthropy in a free society. Previous interns at CRC have been published. Candidates should have appropriate writing, computer (MS Word) and internet research skills (Lexis-Nexis). They should have an interest in studying how the Washington political process affects non-political American social institutions (and vice versa).

Cato Institute: Cato interns are responsible for balancing administrative and clerical duties with substantive policy research. Each intern is assigned to one or more policy directors and will be responsible for conducting research for any publication, speech, or book that the director may be writing at that time. In applying for this internship, you should specify the policy analyst for which you would like to work. This is the most popular and competitive internship requested and there are only a few spots reserved at this organization for Koch Summer Fellows. Apply early for this opportunity. If you're interested in this internship, you will need to submit the Cato Internship Application (Deadline: February 1) in addition to applying for the Koch Summer Fellow Program.

Center for College Affordability and Productivity: CCAP is a nonprofit research center dedicated to research on the issues of rising costs and stagnant efficiency in higher education, with a special emphasis on developing market-based solutions. Interns will be involved with all facets of the center's operations, especially assisting the Director and Research Director in researching higher education data and assisting the Associate Director with administrative duties, public relations, grant writing, website updates, blogs, and other tasks. Candidates should have completed some coursework in economics, public policy, political science, education, or a related field, and have an interest in higher education or economics. They should be self-directed, independent, and be comfortable with working in a small office environment.

Center for Competitive Politics (CCP): Founded by former FEC Chairman Bradley A. Smith and Steve Hoersting, CCP exists to educate the public through litigation, policy analysis, media communication, and educational activities on the benefits of freedom and dynamism in the area of campaign finance and election law. We promote the First Amendment political rights of speech, assembly, and petition and oppose McCain-Feingold style regulation of campaign funding and other regulations that restrict the ability of citizens to participate in the political process. Interns will draft policy primers and op-eds for publication, supervised by a CCP academic advisor, research and cull studies in the area of campaign finance and ethics laws, and blog on campaign finance issues with the guidance of a CCP advisor. Qualified candidates should have an interest in political science or political law.

Center for Education Reform: CER advocates reforms that produce high standards, accountability, and freedom, such as strong charter school laws, school choice programs for children most in need, common sense teacher initiatives, and proven instructional programs. Interns will do research to help produce many of CER’s annual publications, including the National Charter School Directory and Charter Schools Today: Changing the face of American Education that are used to help parents and lawmakers interested in charter schools. Interns may also work with the communications department to produce CER Newswire, a weekly round up of education news. In addition to their work on these CER programs, interns will help out with media analysis, database management and development projects. CER interns will also participate in a series of education-based events.

Center for Individual Freedom: The Center participates in major litigation on behalf of fundamental individual rights protection and seeks to make its voice heard on important legislative issues affecting constitutional rights and freedoms. Interns will have the opportunity to research for policy papers, write for the Center's weekly e-mail newsletter, and write a topical policy paper for publication on the Center's website.

Citizens Against Government Waste: CAGW is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization representing more than one million members and supporters nationwide. CAGW's mission is to eliminate waste, mismanagement, and inefficiency in the federal government. Interns conduct research for CAGW's numerous policy papers.

Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow: CFACT is a public policy organization focusing on issues of environment and development. Intern will attend hill meetings, coalitional meetings on global warming and endangered species act, will take notes, plan events, research and write op-eds and articles throughout summer. There is no physical office, so the intern will meet weekly with the intern director. Qualified candidates should be self-starting, self-motivated and interested in environmental issues.

Competitive Enterprise Institute: CEI's research and advocacy focuses on economic and regulatory issues; major programs include work on antitrust, environment, financial services, food and pharmaceutical drug safety, health care, Medicare, Social Security, transportation, and utilities. Interns at CEI are responsible for research & writing, issue tracking, administrative tasks and assisting policy managers and staff. Candidates must have a good understanding of free market principles and policy approaches, and an interest in CEI's research areas.

The Constitution Project: The Constitution Project seeks consensus solutions to difficult legal and constitutional issues. It does this through constructive dialogue across ideological and partisan lines, and through scholarship, activism, and public education efforts. Currently they are working on the balance between liberty and security, the death penalty, judicial independence, war powers, indigent defense, the constitutional amendment process, and criminal sentencing. The latter initiative, headed by former Attorney General Ed Meese and former Deputy Attorney General Phil Heymann, has evolved into code reform work, since members of the committee believe that no genuine sentencing reform can be achieved without code reform. The intern will be researching and writing public education material, and helping to set up meetings and events. Qualified applicants should be a 1st or 2nd year law student with an interest in constitutional or criminal law.

Criminal Justice Policy Foundation: CJPF's mission is to educate the public about the impact of drug policy and the problems of policing on the criminal justice system. They provide information and advice to policy makers, criminal justice professionals, and the public. The foundation assists drug policy reform organizations with advice on legal organization, management, outreach, research, media relations, and coalition building. CJPF also provides speakers to educational institutions and organizations of all kinds. An intern at CJPF will assist in researching, write for an e-newsletter, assist in developing multimedia presentations, develop and maintain their website and monitor news. Applicants must have strong analytical, organizational and telephone skills, and posess motivation, self-direction, punctuality, enthusiasm, and attention to detail. Other qualificaitons: MS Access, Excel, Power Point, and Word proficiency; savvy internet research skills; some background in law, politics, social or political activism, criminal justice, sociology, political science, communications, journalism, or related field; working knowledge of HTML or Dreamweaver is desired but not mandatory.

US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration: EDA's mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. Interns research the business practices associated with various EDA programs, in order to help standardize programs between regional offices. Based on this research, interns draft policy recommendations for senior staff. Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential; graduate studies in public policy or public administration are preferred.

Drug Policy Alliance: The Alliance is the nation's leading organization working to end the war on drugs. They envision new drug policies based on science, compassion, health and human rights and a just society in which the fears, prejudices, and punitive prohibitions of today are no more. Interns will work closely with staff to research policy issues, analyze legislation and assist with administrative work. Interns should demonstrate interest in drug policy reform.

Environmental Literacy Council: The Environmental Literacy Council (ELC) is an independent, nonprofit organization that brings science-based, cross-disciplinary resources into classrooms around the world. Our website offers a virtual library of the environment with primers explaining topics in environmental science; freely accessible labs and activities; and science-based reviews of textbooks and other classroom materials. Interns will help compile and write our online primers on biodiversity and conservation, spotlight pieces on science in the news, and articles on topics such as water resources in the West, new energy technologies, urban land use, and the impact of climate policies. Interns will also search for online information sources and write annotations, update the ELC website, and perform some administrative duties. ELC prefers majors in environmental studies, natural resources, or other science, economics, journalism, or policy programs. Interns must be able to synthesize technical information down to essential features and to work independently.

Federalist Society: The Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies is a non-partisan conservative/libertarian organization dedicated to freedom, federalism, and judicial restraint. The Federalist Society seeks to educate the legal community through its programs and publications about how limited constitutional government based on the rule of law can have a positive effect on law and public policy. Interns will be researching, writing, editing, and conference planning.

George C. Marshall Institute: The Marshall Institute is dedicated to fostering and preserving the integrity of science in the policy process. The Institute conducts technical assessments of scientific developments with a major impact on public policy and communicates the results of its analyses to the press, Congress and the public in clear, readily understandable language. Its emphasis is public policy and national security issues primarily involving the physical sciences, in particular the areas of missile defense and global climate change. Interns will take part in guided research in the Institute's science and policy interest areas, support the Board and program through organizing meetings and Institute Roundtables, and other administrative duties. Qualified candidates should have experience in analytical thinking, internet and library research; flexibility, reliability and a sense of humor. It is highly desirable to have a background in science, public policy, government or international relations; familiarity with natural sciences or climate studies.

Hudson Institute: The Hudson Institute is a nonpartisan policy research organization dedicated to innovative research and analysis that promotes global security, prosperity, and freedom. We challenge conventional thinking and help manage strategic transitions to the future through interdisciplinary and collaborative studies in defense, international relations, economics, culture, science, technology, and law. Through publications, conferences, and policy recommendations, we seek to guide global leaders in government and business. Interns spend their time researching, analyzing, and writing about public policy issues.

Hudson Institute - Center for Religious Freedom: The Center reports on the religious persecution of individuals and groups abroad, and advocates on their behalf in the media, Congress, State Department and White House. It sponsors investigative field missions and presses for overall religious freedom in China, Sudan, Vietnam, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and elsewhere. Interns will research for a book on apostasy, updating country-specific reports, drafting press releases, attending Congressional briefings and high-level meetings at State and White House, and performing some administrative work. Interns will have an opportunity to write or co-write an op-ed. Interns should have superb writing skills, and knowledge of international relations is required. Exposure to the Middle East and Arabic or China and Southeast Asia and a graduate degree is a plus.

Independent Women's Forum: IWF’s mission is to rebuild civil society by advancing economic liberty, personal responsibility, and political freedom. IWF fosters greater respect for limited government, equality under the law, property rights, free markets, strong families, and a powerful and effective national defense and foreign policy through our public policy research, commentary, and events. IWF also appeals directly to the public by regularly appearing on mainstream media outlets. Interns perform policy research for IWF scholars, write commentaries for the IWF website and Inkwell blog, write op-eds, and assist with IWF events.

Institute for Justice: IJ is a nationally recognized, libertarian/conservative public interest law center outside of Washington, D.C. The Institute litigates a wide range of constitutional issues, including economic and educational liberty, private property rights, and free speech. Candidates must send an application directly to IJ in addition to applying through the Koch Summer Fellow Program. More information is available at www.ij.org/students. Prospective clerks and interns should apply to IJ in early January. The following placements are available:

  • Legal Clerkships: For law students. Legal clerkships consist mainly of legal research and memo writing. Clerks will have the opportunity to research and put together potential cases, write affidavits, and/or contribute to legal briefs.
  • Interns: College student (juniors or seniors) and graduate student interns research factual information about our current or potential cases, help to create backgrounders for new cases, and perform other factual and scholarly research and writing. Positions are available with the litigation team, castle coalition project (grassroots organization fighting eminent domain abuse), and our strategic research department. Please note on your application which type of internship you are interested in.

Mercatus Center: The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is an education, research, and outreach organization that works with scholars, and government policymakers to bridge academic theory and real-world practice. Interns will have the opportunity to work either on 1) Regulatory Studies or 2) The Global Prosperity Initiative.

  • The Regulatory Studies program works to improve the state of knowledge and debate about regulations and their impact on society through peer reviewed research, ultimately improving how government works in the regulatory arena. Interns perform research for senior staff research projects and for specific projects assigned to the fellow, write for research publications and media pieces as opportunities arise, and assist with administrative duties.

Migration Policy Institute: MPI is an independent think-tank dedicated to the study of the movement of people worldwide. MPI provides analysis, development, and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at the local, national, and international levels. It aims to meet the rising demand for pragmatic and thoughtful responses to the challenges and opportunities that large-scale migration, whether voluntary or forced, presents to communities and institutions in an increasingly integrated world. Interns will provide research assistance, some communications team support, and some administrative support. Strong writing and research skills are key. Candidates interested in this placement need to be willing to work in DC for a week before or after the Koch Summer Fellow Program.

Minaret of Freedom Institute: The Minaret of Freedom Institute's mission is to counter distortions and misconceptions about Islamic beliefs and practice, to demonstrate the Islamic origins of modern values like the rule of law and sciences like market economics, to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims, and to advance the status of Muslim people. We implement these goals through independent scholarly research into policy issues of concern to Muslim countries and/or to Muslims in America; publication of scholarly and popular expositions of such research; and the operation of educational programs to advance understanding of rule of law and civil society among Muslims both abroad and in the United States. Interns select news articles for the Institute's website and blog, write timely blog posts, assist staff with research and interviews, research and write a substantial paper for publication on our website and possible presentation at an academic conference, and assist with administrative work. Candidates must have a basic understanding of liberty/free markets and a basic knowledge of Islam and/or the Muslim World.

National Center for Policy Analysis: The NCPA's goal is to develop and promote private alternatives to government regulation and control, solving problems by relying on the strength of the competitive, entrepreneurial private sector. Interns work on policy reforms in health care, taxes, Social Security, welfare, criminal justice, education and environmental regulation. Best for interns with good writing skills and an interest in a wide variety of policy issues and privatization questions.

National Foundation for American Policy: The mission of the National Foundation for American Policy is to conduct empirical research to explain the benefits of immigration and free trade to the media, policymakers, and the general public. It would be preferred if the intern had some understanding of statistics or economics. The intern should be pro-immigration and pro-free trade. The individual would work remotely so would need access to a computer and Internet connection to conduct research.

National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation: The Foundation provides free legal advice and assistance nationwide to workers whose legal rights have been violated by compulsory unionism arrangements or in union strikes or organizing campaigns. Foundation attorneys represent workers in litigation in federal and state courts and administrative agencies. Interns perform legal research and writing. Candidates must have successfully completed at least first year of law school and be supportive of worker free choice vis-a-vis union membership, union financial support, and union representation.

National Taxpayers Union Foundation Established in 1977, National Taxpayers Union Foundation (NTUF) was founded as a public research and education organization dedicated to collecting data, analyzing information, and informing the public on matters of fiscal and economic policy. NTUF is the research affiliate of the National Taxpayers Union. NTUF's work examines policies at the federal, state, and local levels, using a variety of means such as research papers, major research programs, studies by adjunct scholars, public speaking, email, advertising, and the Internet. Interns will conduct legislative research, assist with other research tasks and projects and perform other administrative tasks. Applicants should possess basic quantitative skills and general research skills.

NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund: The Fund provides legal and financial assistance to selected individuals and organizations defending their right to keep and bear arms. Additionally, the Fund sponsors legal research and education on a wide variety of gun-related issues, including the meaning of the Second Amendment and nature of the right to keep and bear arms provisions in state constitutions. This internship will be ideal for 2nd year law students interested in constitutional and civil rights law.

Peterson Institute for International Economics: IIE is a private, nonprofit institution for the study and discussion of international economic policy. Its purpose is to analyze important issues in that area and to develop and communicate practical new approaches for dealing with them. Interns conduct research for upcoming IIE publications on issues such as economic sanctions and free trade agreements. Candidates must have coursework and/or proficiency in economics and be interested in US sanction and trade policy.

Progress and Freedom Foundation: The Progress & Freedom Foundation is a market-oriented think tank that promotes innovative policy solutions for the digital age. The Foundation believes that the digital revolution is causing fundamental cultural, economic, political and social changes. While these changes bring challenges, they also create the potential for a new era of human progress. The Foundation's public policy work brings a market-oriented, pro-technology perspective to communications, computing and telecommunications. Its research in these areas has recommended deregulating telecommunications markets, lowering taxes, privatizing ownership of the broadcast spectrum and protecting property rights for intellectual property. The major activities for interns will be working on intellectual property issues and on an annual Foundation publication called the Digital Fact Book.

Project on Government Oversight: The Project On Government Oversight (POGO) is committed to exposing waste, fraud and corruption in the following areas: defense, energy & environment, contract oversight, and open government. Interns at POGO assist in researching government subservience to special interests. The intern's research often requires them to submit Freedom of Information Act requests, attend congressional hearings, conduct research at the Library of Congress and different government agencies, and work with whistleblowers on occasion. Sometimes the intern's research culminates in a POGO report. Besides research, interns also write opinion-editorial pieces for media release and assist in the writing and editing of testimony to be delivered at Congressional hearings.

Reason Foundation: Reason advances a free society by developing, applying, and promoting libertarian principles, including individual liberty, free markets, and the rule of law. Reason produces rigorous, peer-reviewed research and directly engages the policy process, seeking strategies that emphasize cooperation, flexibility, local knowledge, and results. Interns are responsible for producing substantive policy research in partnership with policy directors, on issues such as government privatization, tax limitation, regulation, and transportation economics. Interns will be co-authors on major policy studies, and participate fully in research and in public communications about the research such as op-eds and articles. Research tasks may include attending conferences, workshops, and public meetings.

Reason Magazine: Reason is the monthly print magazine of “free minds and free markets.” The magazine covers politics, culture, and ideas through a provocative mix of news, analysis, commentary, and reviews. Reason provides a refreshing alternative to right-wing and left-wing opinion magazines by making a principled case for liberty and individual choice in all areas of human activity. Interns perform research for the journalists and editors on staff, write original reported pieces for publication, and assist publishing Reason magazine and Reason online. Candidates should have a strong interest in journalism and demonstrated writing ability. This is a highly competitive position so apply early.

Students for Saving Social Security (S4): S4 is a college grassroots network which advocates for Social Security reform through personal ownership. With over 250 chapters at campuses nationwide, S4 and its members are leading the charge to inform, organize, and mobilize today's college students to engage in the Social Security debate. Interns will assist in planning outreach events such as speaking engagments and rallies, assist in educational outreach, write op-eds and opinon pieces for publications nationwide, assist our Director of Internet Strategy with programming, web design, and other computer projects and help with minor administrative/data entry tasks. Students should have a keen interest in Social Security reform through personal ownership and some knowledge of Social Security policy.

Tax Foundation: The Tax Foundation educates taxpayers about sound tax policy and the size of the tax burden borne by Americans at all levels of government. From its founding in 1937, the Tax Foundation has been grounded in the belief that the dissemination of basic information about government finance is the foundation of sound policy in a free society. Interns will research, analyze and report on a specific area of tax policy, based on the intern's aptitute and interests. Papers produced by interns have been published as Tax Foundation Special Reports. Candidates must be interested in economics and tax policy and have an introductory knowledge of microeconomics and macroeconomics (intermediate preferred).

Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS): If you are interested in cutting wasteful government spending and subsidies in order to achieve a responsible and efficient government that lives within its means this is the organization for you. TCS offers a fast-paced, independent Capitol Hill work environment which enables interns to learn first-hand how legislative, media and public outreach efforts work. TCS interns gain useful experience performing issue research, policymaker education, online advocacy, and media outreach under the guidance of successful professionals.  Interns assist with research, writing, and outreach on target issues (including national security, energy, forests, and water management) and/or assist with media relations and development.

Technology Policy Institute is a think tank that focuses on the economics of innovation, technological change, and related regulation in the United States and around the world. Their mission is to advance knowledge and inform policymakers by producing independent, rigorous research and by sponsoring educational programs and conferences on major issues affecting information technology and communications policy. Interns perform research assistant duties, including literature searches, data searches, data analysis, and writing drafts. Economics majors are preferred.

Thomas Fordham Foundation: The Thomas B. Fordham Foundation believes that all children deserve a high quality K-12 education at the school of their choice. Nationally, they strive to close America's vexing achievement gaps by raising standards, strengthening accountability, and expanding education options for parents and families. This is a good place for someone interested in education policy.

Townhall.com: Townhall.com is an interactive community on the Internet to bring Internet users, conservative public policy organizations, congressional staff, and political activists together under the broad umbrella of "conservative" thoughts, ideas and actions. Townhall.com is a one-stop mall of ideas in which people congregate to exchange, discuss and disseminate the latest news and information from the conservative movement. Interns will research conservative organizations and companies, prepare proposals, compile news from partner organizations, edit reviews and articles, write book reviews, blog, compile website statistics, and perform administrative tasks. Interns should be interested in politics, journalism, e-commerce, advertising/online sales, marketing, radio, computer science, grassroots activism, and/or the conservative movement.

Washington Legal Foundation: WLF is a national nonprofit, public interest law firm which litigates, publishes, and markets legal studies promoting free enterprise. Interns will research, edit materials, write on legal issues, and assist with other office tasks. This internship is best for undergraduates interested in legal issues. Interns must be articulate, mature, and able to multi-task.

World Resources Institute: WRI is an environmental think tank that goes beyond research to find practical ways to protect the earth and improve people's lives. Interns will work with the Sustainable Enterprise Program. A large part of the internship involves updating the website and locating new business enterprises.

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DC Internship Placement Options - Organizations to Apply for Separately

The following organizations require that candidates apply to them directly as well as to the Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program:

Please note the deadlines indicated above for each organization. For each of these opportunities, apply as early as spots are very competitive.

You may also arrange your own internship if it meets the requirements of the Institute of Humane Studies. If there is a specific organization you would like to intern with, it is best to contact that office directly and apply as soon as possible in order to secure an internship for the summer. In your application to the Koch Summer Fellow Program, please mention the organization(s) under "Alternative Placement Choice" and explain how you and the organization are well-suited to the program.

You are responsible for obtaining your internship placement at organizations not on our list and for contacting us about your acceptance.

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