INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Summer Intern: National Security Strategy, Pentagon Budgeting, and the US Defense Industrial Base

CompanyAEI
LocationWashington
Work ModeOn Site
PostedDecember 24, 2025
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
Interns will assist with research and writing on national security and defense issues, supporting Senior Fellows and contributing to the Defense Futures Simulator. Key tasks include conducting quantitative research on the Defense Department’s budget and compiling research memos on various defense topics.
Internship Type
other
Company Size
941
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
Who we are: The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture. How we do it: We are committed to making the intellectual, moral, and practical case for expanding freedom, increasing individual opportunity, and strengthening the free enterprise system in America and around the world. Our work explores ideas that further these goals, and AEI scholars take part in this pursuit with academic freedom. AEI operates independently of any political party and has no institutional positions. Our scholars’ conclusions are fueled by rigorous, data-driven research and broad-ranging evidence. Our work: Our scholars not only engage in research that focuses on today’s most critical challenges but also look ahead to ideas and issues that have yet to be widely recognized. AEI scholars pursue innovative, independent work across a wide array of subjects. From economics, education, health care, and poverty to foreign and defense studies, public opinion, politics, society, and culture, our experts drive the competition of ideas.
About the Role

Overview

The American Enterprise Institute seeks an intern to assist with research and writing on a wide range of national security and defense issues. Interns will support the work of Senior Fellows Elaine McCusker, Todd Harrison, and William C. Greenwalt and Nonresident Senior Fellow John G. Ferrari, and they will assist with the Defense Futures Simulator.

 

Key responsibilities include

  • Conducting quantitative research and modeling of the US Defense Department’s budget;
  • Compiling research memos on topics pertaining to Defense Department recruiting and retention, the defense industrial base, national security strategy, and space policy;
  • Collecting, estimating, and reviewing data on specific programs within the US Defense Department; and
  • Contributing language for op-eds and reports published in external media outlets and through the American Enterprise Institute.

Besides possessing a strong interest in defense and national security issues, candidates should be organized, detail oriented, and able to write concisely. Candidates must also have experience researching in academic settings or previous professional environments. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required. Candidates who can participate in the program in person for 25–40 hours per week are encouraged to apply.

 

About AEI Internships

 

AEI internships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates to gain experience in research, writing, business, and communications at one of the nation’s leading think tanks. Competitive candidates will generally have a GPA of 3.5 or higher from a top-ranking college or university. AEI’s internship program runs for 12 weeks, and all related programming will take place in person in Washington, DC. Please see the internship program home page for updates.

 

The summer program dates are either Tuesday, May 26, to Friday, August 21, or Tuesday, June 2, to Friday, August 28.

Key Skills
ResearchWritingQuantitative ResearchModelingData CollectionData EstimationData ReviewDefense BudgetingNational SecuritySpace PolicyMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointDetail OrientedConcise WritingOrganizational Skills
Categories
Government & Public SectorSecurity & SafetyData & AnalyticsScience & ResearchConsulting