These internship opportunities have been available in the past and are likely to recur annually.
Federal Government
State and Local Government
Policy Institute/Nonprofit/Other
Private Sector
Federal Government
The federal government offers two internship programs: Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) and Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). Both programs offer paid work experience for current students who will return to school after completing STEP or SCEP. Graduates are not eligible to apply. Students who complete a required number of SCEP hours may be eligible for permanent employment.
Application instructions for STEP and SCEP are available at federal agency sites (see below for a selected list of agencies). How to Find and Apply for Federal Internships-Partnership for Public Service is comprehensive site for federal student employment programs and internships and includes a searchable federal internship directory.
Bonneville Power Administration
Application info for STEP and SCEP programs. Opportunities primarily in Portland.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: applications accepted on a rolling basis
Congressional Budget Office
Paid summer internships with focus on budget and policy analysis, including health policy internship. Health policy internship for graduate students offered fall, spring, summer.
Graduate students and strong juniors/seniors
Deadline: varies; sign up to receive deadlines for summer and year-round internships
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Paid summer internships include 8-week leadership training and work experience in U.S. House of Representatives.
Latino undergraduate students
Deadline: typically November for spring, February for summer, and April for fall
Congressional Research Service
Unpaid internships for students with strong writing and analytical skills. Assist professional staff with public policy research. Opportunity to participate in the legislative process and gain research skills.
Primarily graduate students
Deadline: application accepted on an ongoing basis
Department of Agriculture--Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS)
Links to internship opportunities, including FAS Summer Internship Program.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies; typically January if FAS Summer Internship Program is offered
Department of Health & Human Services-Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Several paid summer internship programs, including STEP and SCEP.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: typically early April
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD application instructions for STEP, SCEP, and volunteer program.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
Department of Labor (DOL)
DOL Student Internship Program offers projects in public affairs, speech writing, and outreach. Requires strong writing and research skills.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: as of November 2009 not accepting applications
Department of State--Student Programs
A gateway to an array of internship and fellowship programs, including STEP and SCEP.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies by program
EPA: National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellowship Program
Paid full-time summer or part-time academic year fellowships in an EPA office or laboratory.
Undergraduate and graduate students.
Deadline: typically February
EPA: SCEP
Scroll down to "For College Students." Links to two EPA offices that offer SCEP positions.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: typically January
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
The FBI Honors Internship Program offers an insider's view of FBI operations and opportunities to explore career options.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically September for following year
Fish and Wildlife Service
Application instructions for STEP and SCEP.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
Forest Service
SCEP integrates academics with training and practical experience. In Oregon, contact Mei Lin Lantz (mlantz@fs.fed.us) for application materials.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
Government Accountability Office
Paid summer internships.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies from October to December
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities National Internship Program
Paid internships for students enrolled in degree programs. Placements are in federal agencies.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically February for summer program; see site for deadlines for other terms
Homeland Security
Links to several internship programs.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals--Summer Student Internship Program
Paid summer internships with a focus on air quality issues.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically February
Internships Within the Federal Government--from the office of U.S. Representative Mel Watt
Annual list of various federal internships.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
John A. Volpe Transportation Internship
Up to a two-year internship for graduate students or undergraduates who have been accepted into a graduate program. Includes up to a $10,000 tuition reimbursement.
Deadline: typically February through April
Library of Congress
Searchable database of internships and fellowships. Categories include government and policy analysis.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA offers several paid internships throughout the country. See Alaska Fisheries Science Center and Chesapeake Bay programs.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
National Park Service
Several internship and co-op programs. Cultural Resources Diversity Program. Additional preservation internships (PreserveNet) affiliated with NPS.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
National Park Service/Olmsted Center for Landscape Preservation
Paid six-month internships in Boston. Opportunity to broaden understanding of landscape preservation practices.
Deadlines: check Internship Opportunities for current postings
Office of Management and Budget
Paid summer internships.
Graduate students
Deadline: typically January through March
Oregon Sea Grant Fellowships
Current and future opportunities at federal and state level that focus on ocean and coastal life.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically October through April; varies by program
Securities and Exchange Commission
Application instructions for STEP, SCEP, and Summer Honors College, and Summer Honors Business Program.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
Student Conservation Association
Searchable database of conservation-related internships.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies by program or project
USAJOBS
Searchable database of internships with federal agencies.
White House Internship Program
Unpaid fall, spring, and summer internships in Department of the President and Department of the Vice President.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically June for fall, October for spring, and December for summer
State and Local Government
Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program
Paid summer internships in public policy and nonprofit leadership in Washington, D.C. Nonprofit and state-based policy organizations throughout the U.S.
Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates between the ages of 18-30 are eligible to apply
Deadline: typically January
City of Chicago
Paid and unpaid summer internships in various departments.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
City of Palo Alto, California
Paid summer internships (usually 10-15)in city management.
Deadline: check Employment Opportunities for current openings.
City of Raleigh, North Carolina--Dept. of City Planning
Summer internships in planning, urban design, and related areas. Includes at least one major project.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: as of November 2009, paid internship program suspended
City of Washington, D.C.--District Department of Transportation
Paid internships in several areas related to transportation planning and policy. Fall, spring, and summer sessions.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: generally September for all sessions
Eugene Water & Electric Board
Paid and unpaid internships related to energy, sustainability, and conservation.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: varies; internships for coming generally posted in December
Governor's Internship Program
Year-round internships in Oregon state government. Sign up to receive notification of future opportunities.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
League of Oregon Cities
Paid and unpaid internships in city government.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
Local Government Internships--ICMA list
List of internships and resources for students interested in local government management.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies by program
Oregon Department of Education
Unpaid internships in various functions, programs, and divisions. Four projects currently available and students may propose additional projects of interest.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
Oregon Legislative Intern Program
Unpaid internships during legislative session. Next session 2011.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically December
Oregon Secretary of State Audits Division
Internships in governmental auditing with a variety of assignments.
Deadline: varies; usually announced in spring
Oregon Sea Grant Fellowships
Current and future opportunities at federal and state level that focus on ocean and coastal life.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically October through April; varies by program
Portland Development Commission
Unpaid year-round internships for undergraduate and graduate students with a 3.0 GPA.
Deadline: ongoing
Research Experience for Undergraduates
Paid summer internships for undergraduates with two years of course work completed. Partnership between Hatfield Marine Science Center and Oregon State University.
Undergraduates
Deadline: typically February
State of Oregon
List of various departments that offer internships.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
The Oregon Fellowships
Paid summer internships. Four programs: Performance Management, Sustainability, Financial Leadership, and E-Government.
Graduate students
Deadline: typically February
Policy Institute/Nonprofit/Other
1000 Friends of Oregon
Paul Gerhardt, Jr. Internship. Paid summer internship with focus on land use and transportation planning in Oregon.
Preference given to undergraduates orgraduates who have not started graduate school. Graduate students eligible to apply.
Deadline: typically February
Alaska Conservation Foundation
Paid summer internships for students interested in conservation and protection of Alaska's environment and diverse cultures.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically February
Alliance for Health Reform
Internships in health policy research. Interns attend events and forums on Capitol Hill and in the Washington, D.C. area. Stipend may be available.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: applications accepted on a rolling basis
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Year-round unpaid internships (complimentary breakfast and lunch). Opportunities to learn from renown scholars, economists, political scientists, and foreign policy specialists.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
American Public Health Association
Year-round unpaid health policy-related internships in Washington, D.C.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: typically July, December and April depending on term
American Red Cross--Presidential Internship Program
Paid, ten-week summer internship program in Washington, D.C.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically March
Aspen Institute
Paid and unpaid policy internships.
Undergraduate and graduate students.
Deadline: varies
Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program
Paid nine-week program with a focus on health policy issues affecting racial and ethnic minorities and underserved communities.
Seniors and recent graduates
Deadline: typically December
Brookings Institution
Part-time and full-time internships; generally unpaid.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies by posting
California Policy Institutes
Berkeley Policy Associates
Social Policy Research Associates
MDRC
Public Policy Institute of California--Richard J. Riordan Summer Intern Program
Internships may be available. Contact HR Directors.
Primarily graduate students
Deadline: varies
Carter Foundation
Paid internships and summer fellowships in the areas of health, operations, and peace.
Undergraduate and graduate students, and recent graduates
Deadline: June for fall, March for summer, and October for spring
Cascade Policy Institute
Year-round internships in public policy research.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically March for summer
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Year-round paid internships with a focus on public policy issues that affect low-income families and individuals. Internships designed to reflect students' interests.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically March for summer, June for fall, and October for fall
Center for Economic and Policy Research
Full-time paid internships generally available year-round. Focus on research and writing that promotes democratic debate of contemporary economic and social issues.
Primarily graduate students
Deadline: varies
Charles G. Koch Summer Fellow Program
Paid summer internships in public policy and nonprofit leadership in Washington, D.C. and at state-based policy organizations throughout the U.S.
Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates between the ages of 18-30 are eligible to apply.
Deadline: typically January
Clean Ocean Action
Summer internships (possible stipend) that focus on protecting the marine water quaity of the New York Bight (between Montauk Point, NY to Cape May, NY to the continental shelf).
Undergraduates and graduate students
Deadline: internships typically posted in February and open until filled
Clinton Foundation
Generally unpaid internships in New York City and Little Rock. Many opportunities available.
Undergraduate and graduate students, recent graduates
Deadline: varies
DMI Scholars--undergraduates only
Paid summer institute in NYC for sophomores and juniors interested in public policy. The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy is a think tank staffed by young progressives who want to drive public policy.
Undergraduates only
Deadline: typically January
Education Pioneers
Paid summer internships for graduate students between their first and second years. Includes workshops and a high-level consulting project in K-12 urban education.
Graduate students
Deadline: typically December
Eno Transportation Foundation
National Parks Interpreters Program and National Park Foundation Scholars Program (see Education Programs). Usually a paid summer internship is offered.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: varies; typically February for Scholars Program
Foreign Policy Association
Paid and unpaid internships with nonprofits, educational institutions, and policy institutes.
Greenpeace
Unpaid internships in many environmental areas and nonprofit resource development.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: typically November, March, August depending on start term
Health Policy Research Northwest
Unpaid internships with nonprofit that conducts research on key issues related to health policy and healthcare delivery. See internship description for info and application details.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: applications accepted on rolling basis
Institute for Women's Policy Research
Unpaid/stipend internships in many areas and paid research fellowships.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically March for summer
Migration Policy Institute
Generally unpaid internships (part-time and full-time), some stipends. Interns provide policy-driven, quantitative and/or qualitative support to researchers in migration-related areas.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: typically November, March and July depending on start term
Natural Resources Defense Council
Paid and unpaid internships.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
National Organization for Women
Unpaid internships in government relations/public policy.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: typically November, March and August depending on start term
National Wildlife Federation
Searchable database of internships.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
National Women's Health Network
Paid and unpaid internships in women's health policy and advocacy.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically March for summer and rolling basis for other terms
OpenSecrets.org
Communications and research internships. Stipend.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: typically September, January and March depending on start term
Oregon Center for Public Policy
Internships with a focus on policy analysis and research in the areas of budget, tax, and economic issues. Part-time, unpaid internships throughout the year.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: tyically April for summer; ongoing for unpaid internships.
Oregon Environmental Council
Generally unpaid program internships. Summer research internship assisting Executive Director.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: varies
Our World--Underwater Scholarship Society
Paid summer internships with nonprofit organizations and government with a focus on preserving the underwater community.
Undergraduates and graduating seniors
Deadline: typically January
Partners in Health
Open to students and professionals early in their careers work who are interested in health issues and social justice.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically posted in January; see site for specifics
Partnership for Public Service
Paid internships in a variety of areas: business development/fundraising, communications, education and outreach, event planning, government affairs, government transformation, nonprofit management/accounting, and research.
Undergraduate and graduate students.
Deadlines: typically November for spring; see site for other terms
Polaris Project
Unpaid internships/fellowships for those interested in the anti-trafficking movement. Includes a leadership development program.
Undergraduate and graduate students, including recent graduates.
Deadline: see FAQ for specific dates
Policy Jobs
List of poicy-related internships (and some jobs) available without password. International internships.
PolitiCorps
Unpaid internships in political process and public policy.
Seniors or recent graduates.
Deadline: typically December for early admission; March for general admission
Progressive Policy Institute--Washington, D.C.
Part-time and full-time policy internships that promote progressive politics.
Undergraduate and graduate students.
Deadline: varies by posting
Public/Private Ventures
Locations in Philadelphia, Oakland, and New York City. Check the jobs and internships page for current postings.
Primarily graduate students.
Deadline: varies
Renewable Northwest Project
Summer internship with possible stipend.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: only accepted during March
Resource Assistance for Rural Environments
Eleven-month paid community service in rural Oregon communities.
Undergraduate and graduate students
Deadline: typically May
Resources for the Future
Paid research internships in the areas of environmental, energy, and natural resource issues. Walter O. Spofford, Jr. Memorial Internship--focus on Chinese environmental issues.
Graduate students
Deadline: varies
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Year-round paid internships in environmental studies. See How to Apply for details.
Undergraduate and graduate students.
Deadlines: June for fall, February for summer, and November for spring
Student Conservation Association
Paid internships of variable durations.
Undergraduate or graduate students.
Deadline: applications accepted on a rolling basis; check for suggested deadlines
Sustainable Northwest
Paid and unpaid internships in sustainable natural resource management.
Generally undergraduates
Deadline: varies
Texas Association of Community Development Corporations
Lone Star Program. Paid summer internships in various Texas cities.
Undergradutate and graduate students
Deadline: typically February; see site in December for specific dates
Third Way
Policy internships in the areas of national security, culture, and middle class economics. Moderate stipend.
Graduate students.
Deadline: applications accepted on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer terms
Transteria
Paid 10-week internships in public health research.
Graduate students
Deadline: applications accepted on a rolling basis
United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme
Unpaid internships in UN Headquarters only.
Graduate students
Deadline: typically January
Urban Institute
Paid part-time and full-time assignments in various policy areas such as housing, welfare, population studies, health, and education policy. Incumbents will conduct literature reviews, analyses and programming tasks, as well as participate in reporting research findings and presenting data.
Undergraduate and graduate students.
Deadline: varies
Urban Institute Summer Academy
Paid summer internships for students from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups who have a strong interest in social policies affecting low- and moderate-income individuals. Must have complete junior year by summer 2009.
Undergraduate students
Deadline: typically March
World Policy Institute
Unpaid internships in international policy research and advocacy by assisting with the production of World Policy Journal.
Advanced undergraduate and graduate students
Deadlines: typically July for fall, October for spring, and February for summer
Private Sector
AECOM
Paid internships with large international design firm. Projects include transportation, energy, water, community designs, and green building, Search on "internship" at Search Openings.
Undergraduates and graduate students
Deadline: varies
