INTERNSHIPS

The INSS internship program provides students from across the United States the opportunity to work with leading voices in national security scholarship on a variety of research topics, both regional and thematic.

 

Internships

**INSS is currently recruiting interns for Research and Office Management and Administration positions.

The INSS internship program provides students from across the United States the opportunity to work with leading voices in national security scholarship on a variety of research topics, both regional and thematic. These subject study areas include Future Strategic Concepts and Technologies, Eurasia, Western Hemisphere, East Asia, Middle East, National Security Reform, WMD, NATO-Europe, and Energy Security.

INSS interns have the opportunity to participate in real-time work for the Department of Defense, assist in research for publications, and work closely with a Senior Fellow who is a subject matter expert in his or her field. Interns may also have the opportunity to meet government and defense officials, attend congressional hearings, or participate in symposia hosted by the National Defense University or the Institute. See below for key dates and how to apply. You can also apply through our announcements and home page on Handshake.com

Application Process for Summer 2024

Application Deadline:  March 15, 2024 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Approximate Decision and Notification Date: Week of April 12, 2024

Approximate Start Date: May 24, 2024 (flexible)

Approximate End Date:  August 30, 2024 (flexible)

Submit all materials by email to: INSS_Intern_Program@ndu.edu.

Application Process for Fall 2024

Application Deadline:  June 14, 2024 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Approximate Decision and Notification Date: Week of July 12, 2024

Approximate Start Date: August 23, 2024 (flexible)

Approximate End Date:  December 29, 2024 (flexible)

Submit all materials by email to: INSS_Intern_Program@ndu.edu.

Application Process for Spring 2025

Application Deadline:  November 8, 2024 (applications reviewed on a rolling basis)

Approximate Decision and Notification Date: Week of December 6, 2024

Approximate Start Date: January 12, 2025 (flexible)

Approximate End Date:  May 16, 2025 (flexible)

Submit all materials by email to: INSS_Intern_Program@ndu.edu.

Application Requirements

  • U.S. Citizenship is required.
  • Submit a cover letter expressing your academic focus, career goals, previous internship experience if any, and your desired outcomes from an internship position with INSS. Students applying for research internship should also specify their areas of interest as they pertain to INSS research. If there is a particular Senior Fellow or INSS Expert you wish to work with, please indicate their name.  Please also indicate which academic semester you are applying for.
  • Submit a resume, including grade point average (GPA of 3.5 or above preferred), scholastic activities, publications if any, and prior internship and/or employment experience.
  • Applicants for the Office Management internship should submit unofficial transcripts. 
  • Submit a brief writing sample (2-3 pages only). This can be an excerpt from a larger document.
  • Submit all materials by email to: INSS_Intern_Program@ndu.edu.

 

What To Expect After Submitting Your Application

  • Your application will be reviewed by the Internship Program Coordinator and submitted to the pool for review by our Senior Fellows.
  • Senior Fellows determine if candidates are a “match” for their current or planned research.
  • Senior Fellows will contact a candidate for an over-the-phone or in-person interview.
  • The Senior Fellow may offer a candidate an internship directly.
  • In all instances, the candidate will receive an acceptance email from the Internship Program Coordinator.
  • Shortly after your acceptance you will receive information about your first day, and directions to NDU-INSS.
  • All interns will be expected to complete a standard background investigation administered by the Department of Defense.
  • Unless otherwise stated, all internships are unpaid.   

Please Note:

*We make every attempt to contact applicants who have not been accepted into the Internship Program. Due to the high volume of applications, this is not always possible. We are always extremely grateful to the young professionals who take the time and effort to apply to INSS. Even if you are not accepted into our program, we wish all of you the absolute best in your developing careers.