Spring Internship 2026 - Democracy Program

Background

BPC’s Democracy Program strengthens the foundations that sustain free, fair, and representative democracy in our diverse nation. Our team of world-class researchers and thought leaders develop policy recommendations grounded in research and realism, promote the free exchange of ideas among civic-minded leaders, and learn from our past to build a better future. We work in three fields: Elections, Core Institutions, and Civic Leadership.

The Democracy Program is seeking one intern to support the following project areas:

Elections

• The Elections Project develops innovative, bipartisan policy solutions to the most pressing challenges in election administration. Its goal is to foster public trust in our core democratic institutions by strengthening election infrastructure at the state and federal level.

The Structural Democracy Project

• The Structural Democracy Project develops and champions bipartisan, systemic reforms that rebuild our government’s ability to put country over party and build consensus. Its goal is to rebuild governing institutions that solve problems and electoral systems that reflect our diverse nation.

Governing and Civics Project

• The American Congressional Exchange (ACE) enable members of Congress from opposite parties to visit each other’s districts and build the trust essential for bipartisan collaboration. Its goal is to facilitate collaborative, bipartisan problem-solving in our highly partisan and polarized political environment.

Responsibilities

The intern will work with project staff on writing and research, event planning, tracking news, and congressional activity, blogging, and communications activities. Specific responsibilities will be determined based on the successful candidate’s interests and the needs of the projects.

Applicants are encouraged to review the four project areas within the Democracy Program prior to applying.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school or a recent graduate
• Strong research and writing skills
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively
• An interest in government and institutional reform
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks

SPRING PROGRAM

BPC has a robust spring internship program. Interns work full time, and will receive a $3,000 stipend for ten weeks of work. Interns must be rising juniors or above. Applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate program or a recent graduate. Interns will provide functional support, conduct research, and work directly with project analysts and staff in various capacities. 

 *Please note that our Spring internship will be in person*

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until a qualified candidate has been identified. Please do not send multiple submissions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Due to the number of applications received, we are unable to contact those who have not been selected for an internship. No phone calls, please. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply but must have a valid work permit or visa verifying eligibility to work in the United States. We do not offer visa sponsorship.

Required materials (please submit as one PDF File):

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Relevant writing sample (3-5 pages).

• College or university transcript (unofficial is acceptable).

• Phone and email contact information for two professional references, including a professor or other individual familiar with your work.

• Brief response to to the statement "What does Bipartisanship mean to you?" (5-8 sentences).

APPLICATION DEADLINE

• Spring internships: November 21st

BPC Diversity Statement  The Bipartisan Policy Center defines diversity as the range of human qualities that make us unique as individuals, including—but not limited to—age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression, geographic location, nationality, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.  To celebrate diversity and ensure equity and inclusivity, BPC is committed to:• Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce with insights and solutions for our increasingly divided society.• Creating a workplace culture where all employees feel valued and their perspectives are heard.• Developing policy solutions and undertaking research that reflect a diversity of thought and experience.