Spring 2025, Research & Project Coordination Internship, Center for Sustainable Development, Global Economy and Development (Job ID: 2024-3540) - The Brookings Institution

Thinking about a career in public policy? Committed to improving the world we live in? Think Brookings - one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!  

Interns spend approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills.   

Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution.  

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students pursuing a masters degree with an interest in economics, political science, heath science, natural science, climate science, public policy, or related fields to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit ourCareers page for current open positions. This internship pays an hourly rate of $17.50, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 20 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule.

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here. 

Position Location: This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship.This position is open to hybrid and/or remote applicants. Hybrid work combines regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Work location cannot be in any of the following statesAlaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.  Please only apply if you can live and work in states other than those listed above for the duration of the internship.

The intern will work within the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) on the 17 Rooms team, gaining exposure to a broad set of policy topics related to global sustainable development and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), while developing their analytical thinking, organizational, and writing skills. The intern will report to a Fellow or Senior Project Coordinator at CSD and will assist with the execution of the 17 Rooms initiative – a convening and problem-solving approach to stimulate cooperative action for the SDGs – in addition to other research projects relevant to global sustainable development

Applicants should expect a range of opportunities, broadly defined under the following categories:

General research and writing: The intern will support tasks such as literature review, conducting data searches, quantitative data analysis, database updates, bibliographic support, fact-checking, and contributing to blogs, research briefs, and presentations.

Event Coordination and Administrative Support: During the internship period, there will be virtual and in-person meetings and events for which the intern will provide support through drafting invitations, tracking registration, communication with external stakeholders, notetaking, and coordinating travel as required. The intern will also support the team by creating PowerPoints, drafting public remarks, and scheduling meetings.

Education/Knowledge/Skills:

Graduate students pursuing a masters degree or undergraduate students completing their junior or senior year in a discipline relevant to sustainable development (e.g., economics, political science, heath science, natural science, climate science, public policy, or related fields). Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in public policy and promoting equity. Candidates with an interest in the Sustainable Development Goals are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants must have some knowledge of qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods research, and experience in conducting literature searches and review. Strong written and verbal communication skills required. Additionally, applicants should have prior meeting or event coordination experience and a strong attention to detail. Experience with R is a plus.

Additional Information:   

This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and add your cover letter as an attachment when you apply. You are required tosubmit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals.  Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager. 

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.   

Applications will be accepted until November 3, 2024. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted. 

As you are applying, please be sure to click hereto learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s).  

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.