Fall 2026, Research Internship, Global Economy and Development (2026-3861)

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 approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading 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 with a 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.

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students pursuing a masters degree with an interest in the future of work, effects of AI, industrial policy, economic mobility, to industrial policy and regional economic development to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit our Careers page for 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 than 30 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here.

Position Location : This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship. This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Work location cannot be in any of 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 intern will develop their analytical thinking and econometric skills while assisting with background research (including literature review), data gathering from primary and secondary sources, data cleaning and manipulation, and basic statistical analysis. The intern will gain exposure to the different stages of a research project—formulating a research question, surveying the literature, working with data, and various elements of empirical analysis, including running regressions and the creation of informative tables and figures.

Interns will focus on topics ranging from the future of work, effects of AI, industrial policy, economic mobility, to industrial policy and regional economic development.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills

Open to undergraduate students in their sophomore, junior or senior year, or graduate students completing a degree in a relevant field (i.e. economics, public policy, applied mathematics, data science, etc.). Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in public policy and economics, and some working knowledge of statistics and econometrics, with R/Python/Stata, and experience with large datasets and data visualization. Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.

Additional Information

This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings.

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and include your cover letter as a separate attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/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 to Hiring Manager.

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 until June 14, 2026. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted.

As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn 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 an equal- opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.