Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Federal Government

August 5, 1998 – September 14, 2020 98-654

Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work
Experience Opportunities in the Federal
Government
Updated September 14, 2020
Congressional Research Service
https://crsreports.congress.gov
98-654

Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Government

Summary
Although there are many opportunities in the federal government for internships, fel owships, and
other work experience, there is no comprehensive source to assist in locating these opportunities.
This report describes internet resources for prominent and popular opportunities for internship,
fel owship, and work experience programs within the federal government. The report is intended
as a selective guide for students of al levels: high school, undergraduate, graduate, and
postgraduate. It provides information on legislative, executive, and judicial branch opportunities
and links to several aggregators of jobs data. The introduction provides a number of insights to
assist applicants on understanding terminology, timing applications, and expectations for types of
work involved.
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Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Government

Introduction
The federal government offers many opportunities for internships, fel owships, and work
experiences. However, there is no single centralized source for finding information on every
opportunity. This report describes prominent and popular internet resources for such opportunities
and gives applicants a place to begin their search. The internet resources provided are not
exhaustive.
Applying for an internship or fel owship is similar to applying for admission to a college or
university. The application process takes time and effort, often requiring essays and interviews. In
pursuit of success, applicants typical y begin their search early and explore what best suits their
interests and career goals. Application deadlines and program durations vary from agency to
agency. Applicants often apply to more than one program because competition is stiff, with the
number of applicants often far exceeding the number of positions available. Opportunities are
general y available in the spring, summer, and fal , with summer positions being the most popular
and competitive.
The terms fellowship and internship are sometimes used interchangeably in the names of specific
programs. Fel owships are general y intended for persons with advanced degrees or substantial
professional experience and are usual y salaried positions lasting nine months to a year or more.
Internships, which are either salaried or volunteer short-term arrangements, usual y require
relatively little experience and are often fil ed by students.
Although they are sometimes confused with interns, congressional pages are high school students
who serve Congress as messengers. The House page program ceased operations in August 2011,
but the Senate stil employs pages. For more information on the Senate page program, see its
website at https://www.senate.gov/reference/reference_index_subjects/Pages_vrd.htm.
The duties, responsibilities, and salaries (if any) of interns and fel ows vary from program to
program. Most program responsibilities are substantive in nature and often involve chal enging
projects. They may range from conducting legislative research for a congressional office to
biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health. Some programs or universities that offer
academic credit may require the intern or fel ow to produce a report on the work experience and
obtain evaluations from program supervisors. In addition, some programs lead to federal job
placement. Recruitment programs like Presidential Management Fel ows and the Congressional
Research Service Graduate Recruit Program may offer permanent employment after the
successful completion of program requirements. Because program details vary from agency to
agency, it is best to consult the appropriate website or to contact the program office directly.
Note: The coronavirus pandemic continues to affect many aspects of internship and fel owship
programs, including the availability of positions, the location of the work (“in-person” vs.
“remote”), and pay and benefits, including housing and transportation. Persons interested in a
specific employment opportunity are encouraged to contact the program office directly before
applying.
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General Government Resources
USA.gov
The federal government’s official web portal provides an A-Z list of al federal agencies and
departments.
https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/a
USA.gov also offers a “Federal Government Jobs” website.
http://www.usa.gov/government-jobs
Go Government—Student and Entry Level Talent
The Go Government website, an initiative of a nonprofit organization, the Partnership for Public
Service, promotes careers in the federal government. The Student and Entry Level Talent portion
of the website includes information on more than 200 federal internship programs and provides
tips on creating a federal resume and on navigating the federal hiring process.
http://gogovernment.org/government_careers/students_entry-level_talent.php
USA Jobs—Students and Graduates
The students and graduates section of the official U.S. federal government employment website
provides students with information on various educational opportunities available within the
federal government, including internships, fel owships, apprenticeships, and cooperative
programs, as wel as a list of federal occupations by college major.
https://www.usajobs.gov/studentsandgrads
Office of Personnel Management Programs
OPM administers the government-wide Pathways Programs, which are composed of two fairly
new programs—the Internship Program and the Recent Graduates Program—and the existing
Presidential Management Fel ows Program. The website includes program fact sheets and a FAQs
section.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/
Federal agencies that participate in the Pathways Programs include the Department of Housing
and Urban Development, General Service Administration, and the Department of Health and
Human Services. The Pathways Programs at agencies have specific information on their
employee websites, such as the Department of State at http://careers.state.gov/work/pathways and
NASA at https://www.nasa.gov/careers/students-and-recent-graduates.
Internship Program
The Internship Program is for students attending high schools, community colleges, four-year
universities, trade schools, career and technical education programs, and other qualifying
educational institutions. The program provides paid opportunities to explore federal careers while
stil in school. Participants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a qualifying
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educational program. The Internship Program replaces the Student Career Experience Program
and the Student Temporary Employment Program.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-graduates/#intern
Recent Graduates Program
The Recent Graduates Program offers paid one-year developmental assignments for individuals
who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs with
developmental experiences in the federal government. Participants must have obtained a
qualifying degree or completed a qualifying career or technical education program within the
preceding two years. Veterans applying to the program who are unable to qualify within the two-
year period due to military service may apply within six years of obtaining a qualifying degree or
completing a qualifying program.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/students-recent-
graduates#graduates
Presidential Management Fellows Program
The Presidential Management Fel ows (PMF) Program was created to attract outstanding persons
from many academic disciplines to the federal government who are interested in, and committed
to careers in, the analysis and management of public policies and programs. Applicants must have
received, within the preceding two years, a qualifying advanced degree as determined by OPM.
Fel ows serve a two-year appointment.
https://www.pmf.gov
Executive Branch Opportunities
White House Fellows Program
Intended for young professionals who have demonstrated academic excel ence, this program
places recipients in Cabinet-level agencies, the Executive Office of the President, the Vice
President’s office, or in smal er federal agencies. This is a one-year program. Fel ows make
domestic and foreign trips to study U.S. policy and take part in roundtable discussions with
leaders from the private and public sectors. Applicants must have finished their undergraduate
degrees and be working in their chosen fields. A related program, Presidential Innovation
Fel ows, deploys “Innovation Fel ows” to work on technical innovation projects in various
federal agencies for one year.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/fel ows/
https://presidentialinnovationfel ows.gov/
White House Internship Program
This program provides unpaid opportunities to learn more about the daily processes of the White
House. The competitive program selects about 100 interns every spring, summer, and fal . Each
applicant must be a U.S. citizen, 18 years old on or by the first day of the internship, and enrolled
in (or recently graduated from) a college or university. Also eligible are recently discharged
military veterans with a high school diploma or equivalent.
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/internships/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/internships/selection-process/
https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/internships/presidential-departments/
Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is a part of the Pathway Programs. Students and
recent graduates are offered opportunities to work as interns in fields such as agriculture, science,
technology, math, environmental studies, management, and business. Students work as assistants
to scientific, professional, administrative, and technical employees. USDA also participates in the
Vets to Feds Intern Program (V2F) for student veterans.
https://www.dm.usda.gov/employ/student/seo-pathways-programs.htm
http://www.dm.usda.gov/employ/student/index.htm
Department of Commerce
The Department of Commerce, also part of the Pathways Programs, offers a variety of paid and
unpaid programs, including Census Postsecondary Internships and a Workforce Recruitment
Program for college students with disabilities. Commerce bureaus and offices with internship
programs include the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, the Census Bureau, and the Patent and Trademark Office.
https://www.commerce.gov/hr/careers/students
https://www.commerce.gov/hr/careers/students/internships
Department of Defense
In addition to participating in the Pathways Programs, the Department of Defense’s (DOD’s)
“Student Opportunities” website provides details on opportunities such as the Financial
Management Trainee Program and internships with the Human Resources Directorate and the
Washington Headquarters Services. Programs can range from 10 weeks to full-time employment.
http://godefense.cpms.osd.mil/student_opportunities.aspx
DOD’s STEM Internship program al ows high school and college students the opportunity to
engage in hands-on research and gain experience at DOD laboratories and facilities. The website
provides details on various internship opportunities with the Air Force, the NSA, the Navy, and
the Army in the fields of cybersecurity, computer science, business, science, engineering, and
mathematics.
https://dodstem.us/stem-programs/internships
Department of Education
The Department of Education offers internships in several departmental offices, such as
Elementary and Secondary Education, Civil Rights, and Leadership and Teacher Development.
These unpaid internships are available year-round. To qualify, students must be enrolled in a high
school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university, or other
accredited educational institution.
https://www2.ed.gov/students/prep/job/intern/note.html
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Department of Energy
The Department of Energy (DOE) recruits interns to research positions at DOE labs. These
positions cover a range of subjects and career levels, from high school students to faculty
members. Positions are paid but do not necessarily lead to permanent DOE employment.
https://www.energy.gov/jobs/careers/students-recent-graduates
The DOE Scholars program introduces students and recent graduates to the missions and
operations of the DOE. These are paid positions for enrolled students aged 18 and older, lasting
10 weeks in the summer.
http://orise.orau.gov/doescholars/
Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) participates in the Pathways Programs. In
addition, lists of specific programs for students and recent graduates are available.
https://www.hhs.gov/careers/how-apply/how-apply-hhs-student
More opportunities within specific divisions of HHS include programs at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), and at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
https://www.cdc.gov/fel owships/
https://www.cdc.gov/jobs/pathways.html#pwdstudentsGrads
http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/WorkingatFDA/Fel owshipInternshipGraduateFacultyPrograms/
default.htm
HHS’s Emerging Leaders Program is designed for applicants to explore fields related to their
academic background. The two-year program involves rotations within departmental agencies
during the first year and a fixed placement the second year. Students must have one or more of
the following degrees: bachelors (with work experience), masters, J.D., or Ph.D.
https://humancapital.learning.hhs.gov/elp.asp
The Summer Internship Program in Biomedical Research at the National Institutes of Health is
open to students aged 16 and older who are enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or graduate
programs. Positions are in various agency locations nationwide, and stipends are available for the
eight-week-plus program. The National Institutes of Health Academy fel owship program is a
year-long program with a stipend and is restricted to recent undergraduates. Other programs are
available for specific subject areas.
http://www.training.nih.gov/programs
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers a variety of fel owship, scholarship, and
internship programs in its agencies, which include Customs and Border Protection, Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Secret Service. Programs include Pathways, a Summer
Law Intern Program, the STEM Summer Internship Program, and the Federal Law Enforcement
Training Center (FLETC) College Intern Program. Most, if not al , of the programs require U.S.
citizenship, and some require a security clearance.
https://www.dhs.gov/homeland-security-careers/student-and-recent-grads
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Department of the Interior
The Department of the Interior (DOI) offers Pathways internship opportunities in various parts of
the agency, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, and Bureau of Reclamation.
Fel owships and internships opportunities are available through the National Park Service, Office
of Surface Mining, Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey.
http://www.doi.gov/pathways
Department of Justice
The Summer Law Intern Program accepts law students to salaried summer internships throughout
the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Volunteer Legal Recruitment Program offers legal
internships to law students in their first through third years. This program is unpaid, with
placement in U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, the Immigration Courts, and department field offices in
cities nationwide, including Washington, DC.
http://www.justice.gov/legal-careers
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) offers several different types of internships to students.
In addition to offering opportunities in various departments in the agency through the Pathways
internship program, the FBI hosts students in its Honors Internship Program as wel as its Visiting
Scientist Program. The Honors Internship Program is a 10-week, paid internship for
undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral students in a wide range of academic areas, including but not
limited to accounting, business, STEM, foreign languages, journalism, law, marketing, and the
visual arts. The FBI’s Visiting Scientist Program gives applicants the opportunity to work within
the FBI Laboratory for one to five years conducting research in the forensic science field. In order
to qualify for the FBI’s internships, students must be U.S. citizens, must pass al FBI background
investigation requirements, and must be able to receive a Top-Secret security clearance. (Visiting
Scientist interns must be able to receive a Secret security clearance.)
https://fbijobs.gov/students
Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (DOL) participates in the Pathways Programs; internships include
working in DOL offices. Internships are available for students majoring in a range of fields,
including but not limited to business administration, management, public policy, international
relations, medical, information technology, law, and human resources. These full-time or part-
time internships may be conducted seasonally or year-round. Interns may be eligible for a
noncompetitive conversion to a federal career or career-conditional position at the successful
conclusion of the internship.
https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/students-and-recent-grads
Department of State
The State Department’s website provides a portal to available student programs, internships, and
fel owships. Opportunities range from Pathways Programs to the Virtual Student Federal Service
to Council of American Ambassadors Fel owships.
https://careers.state.gov/intern/
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Department of Transportation
The Department of Transportation’s website lists several student programs, including Pathways
Programs, the FAA Technical Operations Collegiate Training Initiative, and the FAA Law Honors
Intern Program. Minority internship programs, such as the Summer Transportation Internship
Program for Diverse Groups, are offered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the
Federal Highway Administration.
http://www.dot.gov/careers/student-opportunities
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/education/stipdg.cfm
The Office of the General Counsel accepts applications from law students for various internships.
These positions are available year round and may be with or without academic credit.
http://www.dot.gov/mission/administrations/general-counsel/jobs-internships
Department of the Treasury
The Department of the Treasury participates in student employment programs, including
Pathways, the Hispanic Serving Institution National Internship Program (HSINIP), Washington
Internships for Native Students (WINS), National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher
Education (NAFEO), The Washington Center (TWC), and the Disability Employment Workforce
Recruitment Program (WRP).
http://www.treasury.gov/careers/hq-careers/Pages/student-employment.aspx
Department of Veterans Affairs
In addition to participating in Pathways Programs, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers
programs for students and recent graduates at over 100 locations nationwide. These programs
include the National Diversity Internship Program (NDIP), Workforce Recruitment Program
(WRP), and the Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program (GHATP).
http://www.vacareers.va.gov/
Judicial Branch Opportunities
Supreme Court Fellows Program
The Supreme Court Fel ows Program Commission selects four individuals for one-year
assignments in the Supreme Court of the United States, Administrative Office of the United
States Courts, Federal Judicial Center, or the United States Sentencing Commission. The
commission is especial y interested in applicants who are completing a judicial clerkship and
broadening their understanding of the judicial system. Applicants must have a J.D. or other post-
graduate degree. Fel ows become employees of the federal court system and receive salaries
equivalent to the GS-13 government pay scale.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/fel ows/default.aspx
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Supreme Court Internship Program
The Supreme Court Internship Program is designed for undergraduate students who have
completed at least two semesters of undergraduate study and who are interested in learning about
the inner workings of the Supreme Court of the United States. The internship is unpaid, and they
are available in the following offices: the Office of the Counselor to the Chief Justice, Office of
the Curator, Public Information Office, and the Office of the Clerk. Internships are available for
the fal , spring, and summer semesters.
https://www.supremecourt.gov/jobs/internship/InternshipProgram.aspx
Legislative Branch Opportunities
U.S. Congress
Internships
Internships are available in many Members’ Washington, DC, and district or state offices, as wel
as in congressional committees’ offices. Internships are general y unpaid and offered year-round.
Interns may receive pay from the congressional office they work in, if the office decides to
provide it.1 Members, committees, and other congressional offices may provide compensation for
interns through office accounts.
https://www.house.gov/employment
http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/visiting/h_multi_sections_and_teasers/employment.htm
Applications are usual y found at each Member’s or committee’s website, or candidates may
contact the desired office directly. For lists of Member and committee websites and office contact
information, see the Senate and House of Representatives websites.
http://www.senate.gov
http://www.house.gov
Congressional staff seeking more information may wish to consult CRS Report R44491,
Internships in Congressional Offices: Frequently Asked Questions, by Sarah J. Eckman.
Fellowships
Fel owships in congressional offices are offered by many organizations—such as the American
Political Science Association (APSA), the American Psychological Association, and the Institute
of Electrical and Electronic Engineers—which offer fel ows exposure to public policy and the
legislative process. Placement for these fel owships is general y not done through the Members’
or committees’ offices but instead through the sponsoring organizations.

1 FY2020 appropriations for the House and Senate provide some designated funding for internships in Members’
personal offices in each chamber in P.L. 116-94, Division E. For more information on funding for House and Senate
internships in the FY2020 legislative branch appropriations bill, see H.Rept. 116-64, pp. 3, 7-8, 39, 45, and (for Senate
internships) S.Rept. 116-124, pp. 26-27.
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link to page 17 Internships, Fellowships, and Other Work Experience Opportunities in the Government

There is no centralized listing of al available congressional fel owships.2 Some wel -known
fel owship programs offered by professional organizations include the APSA Congressional
Fel owships, http://www.apsanet.org/cfp; the American Association for the Advancement of
Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fel owships, http://fel owships.aaas.org/;
Georgetown University’s Capitol Hil Fel owships, http://gai.georgetown.edu/courses-programs/
capitol-hil -fel owship/; and the Brookings Institution’s Legis Congressional Fel owships,
https://www.brookings.edu/fel owships-programs/legis/.
Government-sponsored fel owship programs that place fel ows in congressional offices include
the Department of Energy’s Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fel owship Program,
https://science.osti.gov/wdts/einstein, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s Knauss Marine Policy Fel owship Program, https://seagrant.noaa.gov/Knauss.
The House of Representatives offers a two-year fel owship program for disabled veterans, the
Wounded Warrior Fel owship Program, which is described at http://cao.house.gov/wounded-
warrior.
Several congressional fel owship programs, such as those sponsored by the Congressional Black
Caucus Foundation and the Women’s Research and Education Institute, are described in the
“Diversity Opportunities” section of this report.
Congressional Budget Office
Graduate students in relevant fields can apply for paid 10-week summer internships, in which
they work on analyses in CBO’s various divisions. CBO also welcomes analysts with Ph.Ds. as
Visiting Scholars who may be employed by CBO or by the Visiting Scholars’ home institutions.
https://www.cbo.gov/about/careers/internships
https://www.cbo.gov/about/careers/visitingscholars
Congressional Research Service
In partnership with several organizations, colleges, and universities, CRS offers a limited number
of paid summer internships through its Student Diversity and Inclusion Internship Program.
Volunteer internship opportunities are available year-round and are available primarily to
graduate students, postgraduate students, faculty, and other professionals. Undergraduate students
with exceptional academic talent are also welcome to apply. In addition, CRS offers special hiring
opportunities under the Presidential Management Fel ows Program, CRS Graduate Recruit
Program, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Cooperative Education
program, and CRS Law Recruit Program. U.S. citizenship is required for al programs.
http://www.loc.gov/hr/employment/index.php?action=cMain.showEmploymentPrograms
https://www.loc.gov/crsinfo/opportunities/
Government Accountability Office
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) offers eligible college students paid or volunteer
internships. These internships last for 10-16 weeks, and interns may be eligible for conversion to

2 House and Senate offices attempting to identify sources of possible congressional fellows may wish to request a copy
of the Congressional Research Service congressional distribution memorandum, “Congressional Fellowship Programs”
(available to congressional clients from the authors of this report).
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a permanent position once degree requirements are met. Applicants must be U.S. citizens to
apply.
http://www.gao.gov/careers/student.html
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress offers unpaid and paid internship, fel owship, and volunteer
opportunities in several departments, such as the American Folklife Center, the Conservation
Division, the Law Library of Congress and the Hispanic Division. Opportunities include the
Junior Fel ows Summer Intern Program, which offers a stipend.
For more information, select the following link, and then depending on the desired program, you
may further refine your results by clicking “Student/Intern,” “Researcher/Fel ow,” or “Volunteer”
on the left under “Opportunity Type.”
https://www.loc.gov/internships-and-fel owships/
http://www.loc.gov/hr/jrfel ows/
Other Opportunities
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intel igence Agency (CIA) offers several different paid internship opportunities,
including the Undergraduate Internship Program, the Graduate Studies Program, and the
Directorate of Operations Undergraduate Internship Program. The internships are available for
students majoring in a range of programs, including, but not limited to, engineering, computer
science, mathematics, business, foreign languages, international relations, or political science.
Students must submit their application at least 12 months before the desired start date. In order to
qualify for the CIA’s internships, students must be U.S. citizens and must pass al CIA
background investigation and security clearance requirements.
https://www.cia.gov/careers/student-opportunities
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
In addition to participating in the Pathways Internship Program and the Presidential Management
Fel ows Program, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) offers three fel owship
programs and one internship program. The Joseph Story Honor Attorney Program is a two-year
fel owship for recent law school graduates, the Director’s Financial Analyst Program is a two-
year fel owship for those who have recently obtained a bachelor’s degree and have quantitative
training, and the Research Assistant Program is a two-year fel owship for recent graduates in
relevant fields. The CFPB internship is a 12-week, paid internship.
http://www.consumerfinance.gov/students-and-recent-graduates/
Defense Intelligence Agency
The Defense Intel igence Agency (DIA) offers a summer internship program that al ows
undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain paid work experience in the areas of
analysis, research, report writing, oral briefings, policy development, program management, and
computer applications related to the intel igence field. Students from a variety of areas of study—
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including, but not limited to, foreign area studies, computer science, international relations,
chemistry, biology, engineering, intel igence analysis, and business administration—are welcome
to apply. This paid internship is 10 weeks long. Successful applicants must be able to obtain a
security clearance and successfully pass a drug-screening test.
https://www.dia.mil/Careers-and-Internships/Students/
Environmental Protection Agency
In addition to programs for graduate and postgraduate students, the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) offers paid summer employment for high school and college students through the
Student Summer Employment Program. Internships, fel owships, and other positions for al
educational levels are available in Washington, DC, and at EPA laboratories and other regional
locations. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older and enrolled at an accredited institution.
http://www.epa.gov/careers/index.html
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) offers internship opportunities in several
different bureaus or offices. The availability and timeframe for intern positions wil vary by
bureau or office. Al applications have rolling admission deadlines, and new opportunities are
posted to the site throughout the year.
http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/internships-available-fcc
Federal Reserve Board
The Federal Reserve Board provides internship programs for undergraduate and graduate students
considering careers in economics, finance and accounting, information systems, and law. Both
paid and unpaid internships are available. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Each division under
the Federal Reserve Board has different requirements for their interns.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/careers-internships.htm
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) participates in the Pathways
Programs with options ranging from internships at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi to
social science student trainee positions at the Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.
Specific NASA facilities also host their own unique programs, such as the Jet Propulsion
Laboratory’s Summer Internship Program and NASA History Office Fel owships. Numerous
opportunities support the Artemis Program to send humans to the Moon—and eventual y Mars.
https://intern.nasa.gov/index.html
https://www.nasa.gov/careers/pathways-program
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
The National Geospatial-Intel igence Agency (NGA) offers students the opportunity to apply for
the NGA Student Internship Program. The 10-week paid summer internship is open to associate,
undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students. Students who perform successfully may be
granted the opportunity for conversion to permanent employment upon graduation.
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The NGA is also a participating placement site for scholars in the Science, Mathematics, and
Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service program. This program was
established by DOD to support undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing degrees in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Participants receive a full
scholarship, stipend for living expenses, and employment in the federal government upon degree
completion.
https://www.intel igencecareers.gov/nga/ngastudentprograms.html
https://www.smartscholarship.org/smart
National Security Administration
The National Security Administration (NSA) offers a variety of paid internship opportunities to
high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. The internships are available for students
majoring in a range of programs, including, but not limited to, computer science, engineering,
mathematics, political science, international affairs, business, health, human resources, and law.
Students must submit their application at least nine months before the desired start date. In order
to qualify for the NSA’s internships, students must be U.S. citizens and must pass al NSA
background investigation requirements.
https://www.intel igencecareers.gov/nsa/nsastudents.html
Office of the Director of National Intelligence
The Office of the Director of National Intel igence (ODNI) offers some unpaid internships, as
wel as unpaid eight-month internship opportunities coordinated through the State Department’s
Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS) Internship Program. These are open to undergraduate,
graduate, and doctoral students who have U.S. citizenship.
https://www.dni.gov/index.php/careers/student-opportunities
https://vsfs.state.gov/
Smithsonian Fellowship and Internship Programs
The Smithsonian Institution provides various fel owship and internship programs and academic
appointments within its museums and research institutes. Program descriptions are available on
the Smithsonian Office of Fel owships and Internships website.
http://www.smithsonianofi.com/
United States Agency for International Development
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has several internship
programs: the Paid Student Internship Program, Volunteer Student Internship Program,
Internships in the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs, the Office of the General Counsel,
the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives, and other Regional Bureaus abroad. These
internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students. USAID also offers fel owship
opportunities, such as the USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Fel owship
Program.
http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/careers/student-internships
http://www.usaid.gov/work-usaid/careers/fel ows-program
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The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars
The Washington Center is one of several nonprofit organizations that place interns in the
Washington, DC, area. The center’s internship program provides unpaid opportunities to college
students and postgraduates. Students are placed within the public (including the federal
government), private, and nonprofit sectors. Several internship programs specifical y target
minority applicants. Financial assistance is also available.
http://www.twc.edu
Others programs include the Washington Internship Institute, the Capitol Hil Internship Program,
and the Fund for American Studies.
http://www.wi dc.org
http://chipdc.org
http://www.tfas.org
Diversity Opportunities
Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) offers internship and
fel owship opportunities for Asian Pacific Americans to encourage participation in the political
process. Al positions include a stipend and round-trip airfare to Washington, DC. Selected
students work in a congressional office or government agency in Washington, DC. Some
fel owship positions have a financial services or STEM focus.
http://apaics.org/summer-interns/
http://apaics.org/congressional-fel ows/
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Internship and
Fellowship Programs
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) offers an internship program, including a
specialized communications program, as wel as several fel owship programs, including the
Donald M. Payne Foreign Policy Fel owship, and programs focusing on energy, health policy, and
technology and cybersecurity. Al the fel ows programs aim to provide research and policy
analysis opportunities for persons with graduate or professional degrees. Al CBCF programs
include either a salary or a stipend and housing.
http://www.cbcfinc.org/internships/
https://www.cbcfinc.org/fel owships/
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Internship and
Fellowship Programs
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Summer Internship Program provides
undergraduates with the opportunity to work in congressional offices. Interns receive housing,
round-trip transportation, and a stipend. The CHCI has two fel owship programs available. Both
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the CHCI Public Policy Fel owship Program and the Graduate Fel owship Program provide
graduate students, or recent college graduates, with the opportunity to obtain experience in public
policy. The range of placements includes congressional offices, federal agencies, media, business
federal affairs offices, advocacy groups, and government-related institutions. Fel ows receive
round-trip transportation and a stipend.
https://chci.org/programs/congressional-internship-program/
https://chci.org/programs/publicpolicy-fel owship-program/
https://chci.org/programs/graduate-fel owship-program/
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National
Internship Program
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) National Internship Program
(HNIP) recruits undergraduate and graduate students from al academic majors for paid summer
and semester internships at federal agencies and private companies in Washington, DC, and
throughout the country. Interns may also receive round-trip transportation and housing.
http://www.hacu.net/hacu/HNIP.asp
Minority Access National Diversity and Inclusion Internship
Program
This is a paid internship program for undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants are selected
by federal agencies and other participating organizations in the Washington, DC, area and
elsewhere. Interns receive stipends and may receive assistance with travel expenses.
http://www.minorityaccess.org/ndiip.html
Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Native American
Congressional Internship Program
The Udal Foundation offers American Indian and Alaska Native students the opportunity to work
in congressional offices, federal agencies, or the White House for the summer. Interns receive
round-trip transportation, housing, and a stipend.
http://www.udal .gov/OurPrograms/Internship/Internship.aspx
Women’s Congressional Policy Institute Congressional
Fellowships on Women and Public Policy Program
The program provides graduate and postgraduate students the opportunity to work for eight
months in congressional offices as legislative assistants on policy issues that affect women. This
program went by the previous names of Women’s Research and Education Institute (WREI)
Congressional Fel owships, and Women’s Policy, Inc. Congressional Fel owships.
https://www.wcpinst.org/our-work/congressional-fel ows/
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Bibliography
This selective bibliography lists more sources of information on internships, fel owships, and
summer job opportunities. The publications can be used to find additional work experience
opportunities both inside and outside the federal government. These works may be available in
local libraries or school or college guidance offices. Annotations identify publications that are
issued annual y. Other publications are updated irregularly; check with publishers for information
on the latest editions.
Best Intern Ever: Roll Call’s Guide to Acing Your Internship Washington, DC: CQ Roll Cal ,
2014, http://cdn.videos.rollcal .com/files/HN-Best-Intern-Ever-FINAL.pdf.
A free E-book, described as the “ultimate Capitol Hil internship guide,” from the CQ Roll
Cal Publishing Group.
Congressional Intern Handbook: a Guide for Interns and Newcomers to Capitol Hill.
Washington, DC: Congressional Management Foundation, 5th edition, 2006,
http://www.congressfoundation.org/publications/intern-handbook.
Described as a “nuts-and-bolts guide to working in a Congressional office,” this free,
downloadable publication includes a chapter on “Finding a job or another internship” on
Capitol Hil . This handbook is used in many congressional offices.
Encyclopedia of Associations. Farmington Hil s, MI: Gale Cengage. Annual.
This publication can be used to locate organizations by subject area. When standard
internship directories contain no entries for internships in a specific field, relevant groups
listed in this publication may be able to suggest contacts for internship opportunities. This
work can be found in many libraries in print or in electronic form in the Associations
Unlimited subscription database.
Insider’s Guide to Political Internships: What to Do Once You’re In the Door. Boulder, CO:
Westview Press, 2002.
This publication provides advice on “surviving and thriving” in political internships,
including on Capitol Hil and in congressional district offices.
Vault Guide to Top Internships. New York, NY: Vault. Annual.
This directory profiles internship programs at more than 130 companies, organizations and
government agencies. Some of this information is also available on the internship portion of
the Vault website at http://www.vault.com/find_an_internship.aspx.
Washington Internships: How to Get Them and Use Them to Launch Your Public Policy Career.
Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2009.
This book provides information on how to become a valued intern and enhance networking
skil s. Insider tips are given on such things as how to deal with work related tasks and
locating summer housing.
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Author Information

Christina Miracle Finch
Kathleen E. Marchsteiner
Senior Research Librarian
Research Librarian

Jennifer E. Manning

Senior Research Librarian

Acknowledgments
Supervisory Human Capital Program Specialist Nancy Warrick and Intern John Steele provided assistance
on this report.

Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan
shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and
under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should n ot be relied upon for purposes other
than public understanding of information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in
connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
subject to copyright protection in the United States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in
its entirety without permission from CRS. However, as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or
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copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.

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