INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Summer Intern: History of US Grand Strategy

CompanyAEI
LocationWashington
Work ModeOn Site
PostedJanuary 7, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
Interns will assist with archival research on national security strategies and organize research materials. They will also compile references, proofread manuscript text, and contribute language for op-eds and reports.
Internship Type
other
Company Size
938
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
Apply Now →

You'll be redirected to
the company's application page

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 primarily support the work of Senior Fellow Paul Lettow, as well as Nonresident Senior Fellow Aaron Friedberg, Nonresident Fellow Dan Slater, and Jeane Kirkpatrick Fellow Daniel J. Samet.

 

Key responsibilities may include:

 

  • Assisting with archival research on national security strategies from the Truman administration through Biden administration;
  • Organizing research materials collected from presidential libraries and other archives;
  • Compiling references, footnotes, and appendices as needed;
  • Proofreading and editing manuscript text for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax; and
  • Contributing language for op-eds and reports published in external media outlets and through the American Enterprise Institute.

Candidates should have a strong interest in foreign policy and national security issues and be organized, detail oriented, and able to write concisely. History majors are preferred. Candidates must also have experience researching in academic settings or professional environments. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required. Candidates who can participate in-person for 30–40 hours a week are preferred.

 

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
ResearchWritingEditingProofreadingOrganizational SkillsDetail OrientedConcise WritingForeign PolicyNational SecurityArchival ResearchMicrosoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPoint
Categories
Government & Public SectorEducationSocial ServicesConsultingScience & Research