The US government, via the State Department, has several internships and fellowships programs that fall within the purview of international relations. Please click the link below to explore the US State Department Internships and Fellowships page!

US State Department Internships and Fellowships

Please click on the name of the organization to be transferred to its internships webpage!

UN Internships – A collection of UN internships. Please explore the website for more information!

UN Development Program – UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UN Foundation – The UN Foundation was founded in 1998 by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner to support the UN and serve as a strategic partner and resource for the UN in solving global problems. Ted’s goals in establishing the Foundation were to demonstrate the value of investing in the UN, encourage new partners to work with the UN, and promote strong U.S. leadership at the UN.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees ( UNHCR) – UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights, and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. UNHCR leads international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) – NATO was established in 1949 and it currently counts 31 member countries. The purpose of the organization is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

World Food Program (WFP) – A member of the UN family, WFP works in over 120 countries and territories to bring life-saving food to people displaced by conflict and made destitute by disasters, and help individuals and communities find life-changing solutions to the multiple challenges they face in building better futures.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) – OECD is an international organization that works to build better policies for better lives. OECD’s goal is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all.

World Health Organization (WHO) – WHO was founded in 1948 and is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

International Organization for Migration (IOM) – IOM was established in 1951 and is the leading intergovernmental organization in the field of migration. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Please click on the name of the organization to be transferred to their internships webpage!

National Institute for Research Advancement – NIRA compiles information on think tanks searchable by country. You can find many prestigious organizations in the list of countries under the United States.

U.S. State Department Think Tanks List – The state department maintains a list of reputable think tanks working in the arena of foreign policy and international relations. Most of the organizations listed below advertise jobs and internship positions on their websites.

Please click on the names of each organization below to be taken to their internship pages:

American Enterprise Institute – The American Enterprise Institute is a community of scholars and supporters committed to expanding liberty, increasing individual opportunity and strengthening free enterprise. AEI is dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics and social welfare. Internship application deadlines: accepted on a rolling basis. It is recommended that you submit your application as early as possible for each term. 

Atlantic Council of the United States – ACUS promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic Community in meeting global challenges. Applications are accepted as needed. 

American Foreign Policy Council –AFPC is widely recognized as a source of timely, insightful analysis on issues of foreign policy, and works closely with members of Congress, the Executive Branch and the policymaking community. It is staffed by noted specialists in foreign and defense policy, and serves as a valuable resource to officials in the highest levels of government.

The Brookings Institution – Brookings is a nonprofit public policy organization that conducts research seeking to strengthen American democracy, foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system. They offer paid internship opportunities, generally with rolling deadlines.

Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs – The Carnegie Council is a nonprofit institution serving as a worldwide nonpartisan, educational resource. Interns are recruited year-round on a semester basis and all internships are filled on a rolling basis. 

The Carter Center – The Carter Center, in partnership with Emory University, is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. Application deadlines are typically 2-3 months prior to session start dates.

Center for American Progress – The Center for American Progress is an independent nonpartisan policy institute that is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans, through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action. 

Center for International Policy – CIP is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that promotes transparency and accountability in U.S. foreign policy and global relations.

Center for Strategic and International Studies –The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges, with a special focus on defining the future of national security.

Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) – CNA is a nonprofit research organization that operates the Center for Naval Analyses and the Institute for Public Research. 

Council on Foreign Relations – The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher. Applications are accepted as needed. 

Freedom House – Freedom House is an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world. Applications are accepted as needed. 

Woodrow Wilson Center for International Politics – The Wilson Center, chartered by Congress in 1968 as the official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson, is the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum for tackling global issues through independent research and open dialogue to inform actionable ideas for the policy community.

Please click on the name of the organization to be transferred to its internships webpage!

International Bridges to Justice — International Bridges to Justice is a non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization is a global leader in changing access to justice systems, with an impact that spans more than 20 years. Every day, in countries around the world, hundreds of thousands of people are arbitrarily detained, tortured, and denied access to counsel. International Bridges to Justice ensures protection of vulnerable defendants through access to lawyers in police stations, prisons and courtrooms.

Omprakash — Omprakash is a platform where several nonprofit organizations recruit volunteers and interns, raise funds, and connect with each other. Students can use the platform to find international volunteer and internship opportunities, raise funds, and receive accredited online training and mentorship.

World Justice Project (WJP) — WJP is an independent, multidisciplinary organization working to create knowledge, build awareness, and stimulate action to advance the rule of law worldwide. Among other things, WJP produces original, independent research and data about the rule of law, including the WJP Rule of Law Index.

CIVICUS — CIVICUS exists to defend people power. As a growing global alliance of over 15,000 members in more than 188 countries, we work together to monitor violations of basic civic freedoms, call out the perpetrators of violations and strengthen the power of people to organize, speak up and take action by supporting a more accountable, effective and innovative civil society. We strive to promote excluded voices, especially from the Global South.

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

International Rescue Committee