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Intern at DC’s Top Tech Policy Think Tank this Summer! 

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is now accepting applications for internships for the summer of 2025. We welcome applications from students currently enrolled in law, graduate and PhD programs with an interest in the internet and technology policy, human rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. The summer internship program is a 10-week opportunity for students to apply the principles they have learned in the classroom in real policy environments.

Summer interns work closely with CDT policy experts, researchers, technologists and attorneys on an array of civil rights, civil liberties and international human rights issues related to technology and the internet, including AI governance, consumer privacy, online expression, digital surveillance, equity in technology, and elections & democracy. When appropriate, summer interns are also able to join meetings with outside stakeholders. 

This listing describes the application process for two types of internships:

  • Legal, Policy, and Technologist Internship (placed in one of our seven projects: AI Governance Lab, Competition, Elections & Democracy, Equity in Civic Tech, Free Expression, Privacy & Data, and Security & Surveillance);
  • Research Internship (placed in our cross-functional interdisciplinary research team);

Successful candidates typically have:

  • Experience in the use of legal and/or academic research tools.  
  • Excellent writing skills for communicating with technical, policy, and lay audiences.
  • Ability to work independently when assigned projects.
  • Genuine curiosity and motivation to work at the intersection of technology, policy, civil rights, and civil liberties, with an imaginative approach to their work.
  • An understanding of technology, policy, and law and also how those may have a disparate impact on individuals and communities based on race, gender, disability, income, immigration status, or other circumstances or characteristics.
  • JD, Masters, and PhD candidates only. 

To apply, please submit a current resume and a cover letter explaining your interest in interning at CDT and answering the following prompt. These application materials should be sent to [email protected]. Please specify in your cover letter which of the internships you are interested in (see above.)

Writing prompt

Legal and Policy, Technologist, and Research Internship:

Choose one of the following prompts and answer it in your cover letter.

  1. What is one technology policy problem you would be interested in working on during your time at CDT and why do you think it is important?
  2. Describe a time where you advocated for or supported a specific technology policy or issue. What motivated you to get involved, and what impact did your efforts have, if any? Please note that advocacy can take many forms, including writing a column, working on a school project, or collaborating with colleagues to raise awareness about an issue. 

Applications will be received on a rolling basis beginning in November 2024. Interviews will begin in January 2025. All internships are slated to begin right after Memorial Day and run for about 10 weeks. Interns who are not receiving funding from another source such as a school stipend or fellowship will receive a stipend of $7,500 over the course of the 10-week program. 

Due to the large number of applications we receive, only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Center for Democracy & Technology is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer. CDT does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation in any of its activities or operations. We believe that a diverse staff enables us to do better and more impactful work. Women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of low-income, marginalized, and LGBTQIA+ communities are strongly encouraged to apply.