Intern, Federal Policy (Fall 2026)

The SPLC is seeking highly motivated policy interns who are passionate about civil rights!

The Southern Poverty Law Center offers internships to exceptional students enrolled in accredited graduate and law schools who possess strong academic backgrounds, excellent writing skills, and a commitment to public interest work. The Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. As an internationally recognized nonprofit organization, the Center is dedicated to reducing bigotry and oppression through research and public education, outreach, litigation and policy advocacy.

Who You Are

Passionate. Demonstrated passion for advancing civil rights and social justice issues, a strong interest in federal, state and local government advocacy, and ready to partner on producing quality policy advocacy strategies that advance our policy priorities.

Advocate. Desire and drive to work in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.

Driven. Ability to help our federal policy team conduct policy analysis and to support advocacy strategies to influence positive change in the lives of communities – particularly Black communities and other communities of color – in the Deep South.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrate an awareness for SPLC's mission, vision and values.

What You'll Do

Work alongside our Federal Policy Team to monitor, develop, and implement policy advocacy campaigns and strategies in alignment with our organizational impact areas: Economic Justice; Decriminalization and Decarceration; Democracy; and Human Rights, Inclusion, and Anti-Extremism.

Assist our Federal Policy Team to research and analyze policy issues in support of advancing policy change at the federal level.

Draft a variety of policy related materials, including but not limited to research memos, fact sheets, letters, testimony, comments, and other writings.

Participate in internal team meetings, trainings and other professional development/networking opportunities and external meetings with coalition partners and policymakers at the federal level.

Collaborate with other members of the Policy department to support ongoing policy analysis and advocacy needs.

Uphold our JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners that can deliver genuine, authentic and impactful work while ensuring their contributions are directed towards the shared mission, vision and values of the Center and department’s goals.

Minimum Qualifications 

We are committed to equitable hiring practices; therefore you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.

• Currently enrolled in an accredited graduate or law school program
•  Strong academic background; and
• Excellent research and writing skills.

Compensation & Benefits

The Center pays $17.95 per hour for a minimum of 15 hours per week for 18 weeks. There may be opportunity for supervisor approved overtime.

Where & How You'll Work 

This role has the following work designation:

• Local Remote (Washington, D.C.): Will work remotely but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.

Other Special Considerations 

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to inquiries by telephone.

Interns are expected to begin on August 3, 2026 and will end on December 4, 2026.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, unofficial transcript and resume by 5:00 pm CST on Friday, May 8, 2026.