The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Internship Program: Opportunities in Fiscal Policy

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Internship Program (PGPF Fiscal Internship Program) offers a unique opportunity for college and graduate students passionate about fiscal policy to gain firsthand research experience at leading policy organizations in Washington, D.C. This full-time, paid internship program partners with various think tanks, providing interns with real-world experience working on national fiscal issues.

Program Overview

The PGPF Fiscal Internship Program engages students in fiscal policy by providing them with first-hand research experience at public policy institutions in Washington, DC. Through the program, interns will gain first-hand research experience at public policy institutions while living and working in Washington, DC, for 10 weeks.

Key Details

Duration: 10 weeks
Location: Washington, D.C.
Focus: National fiscal issues
Structure: Full-time, paid internship
Partnerships: Think tanks and policy organizations in Washington, D.C.

Eligibility and Application

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Internship program is looking for a diverse group of talented students who are passionate about policy and good with numbers. Rising juniors, rising seniors, and current graduate students are eligible to apply. Students must have completed at least two courses in economics, math, statistics or political science, and have a working fluency with numbers. Students who do not have more classes or credits in the year following the internship are not eligible to apply. PhD candidates and graduate students in medical school are not eligible to apply. Applicants who have completed all coursework regardless of academic program (undergraduate or graduate) are not eligible to apply.

Application Process

Applications are open from December 12, 2025 to January 25, 2026 and the internship runs from June 1 to August 7, 2026. Interns will be notified of selection in April 2026.

Application Submission: Apply through The Fund for American Studies (TFAS). Fill out our application form and also apply for the Washington, DC-based TFAS Academic Internship Program for undergraduate students prior to the March 5, 2026 deadline. The TFAS program includes academic credit from George Mason University and furnished housing in the heart of DC. Select on your application that you applied through TFAS.
Completeness Check: After your application is submitted, the Peterson Foundation staff will check your application for completeness.
Application Review: Then all completed applications will be made available to the host organizations.
Interviews: Host organizations will be responsible for assessing, interviewing, and hiring candidates from that point. Candidates may be contacted directly by one or more of the host scholars for an interview. Interviews typically take place in March and April.

Application Materials

As part of the application, candidates are typically asked to submit a personal statement.

Personal Statement (300 words): Please describe your future career goals - outlining factors that have influenced you along the way (personal, academic, or professional), and how you feel the PGPF Fiscal Internship program would help you to further your professional journey.

Host Institutions

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation partners with think tanks in Washington, DC, to provide interns with real world experience working on national fiscal issues. Interested applicants may apply to work with any of the host institutions listed below (there will be 1 intern per organization). The host institutions’ work spans a variety of issues including healthcare, Social Security, economic policy, and tax policy, and includes a range of perspectives from progressive to conservative. When applying, candidates may indicate a preference for placement at one or more organizations.

A selection of participating host institutions includes:

American Action Forum: The American Action Forum is a forward-looking policy institute dedicated to keeping America strong, free and prosperous.
The Bipartisan Policy Center: The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a non-profit organization that combines the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans. Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchel, BPC drives principled and politically viable policy solutions through the power of rigorous analysis, painstaking negotiation, and aggressive advocacy.
Brookings Institution: The Brookings Institution is a private nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and innovative policy solutions.
Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget: The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization committed to educating the public about issues that have significant fiscal policy impact.
Economic Policy Institute: The Economic Policy Institute's mission is to achieve shared prosperity by raising the economic status of low- and middle-income Americans.
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies: The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, America’s Black think tank, provides compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. We are the trusted forum for leading experts and scholars to participate in major public policy debates and promote ideas that advance Black communities.
Mercatus Center: The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas - bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems. A university-based research center, Mercatus advances knowledge about how markets work to improve people’s lives by training graduate students, conducting research, and applying economics to offer solutions to society’s most pressing problems.
Progressive Policy Institute: The Progressive Policy Institute's Center for Funding America’s Future works to promote a fiscally responsible public investment agenda that fosters robust and inclusive economic growth.
R Street Institute: Founded in 2012, the R Street Institute is the leading think tank engaged in policy research and outreach in support of free markets and limited, effective government. and internationally.
Urban Institute/Tax Policy Center: The Tax Policy Center (TPC) is a joint venture of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, both nonpartisan research organizations in Washington, DC. The Center is made up of nationally recognized experts in tax, budget, and social policy who have served at the highest levels of government.

Benefits of the Program

Interns in the PGPF Fiscal Internship Program gain valuable experience and insights into the world of fiscal policy.

Testimonials

"The program really gave me a better sense of how top-notch think tanks function."

"I was really glad to have the opportunity to work at an organization whose work I’ve been following."

"My favorite thing about the internship was the opportunity to hear from speakers at various different think tanks."

"I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear from a wide variety of other top policy organizations in DC and learn about their research."

"The PGPF program was a phenomenal internship experience overall. I am ending the internship knowing a significant amount more on budget issues than I did on my first day of interning."

"I would absolutely recommend this program, the internship was fantastic, as were the seminars."

"The PGPF Fiscal Internship Program solidified my passion for economics and public policy."

"This summer, I did not feel like an intern, I am part of the team with the same respect and responsibilities as a full team member."

"My host scholar was approachable, trusted me with significant responsibility, and encouraged my independent research exploration on the topics I was interested in."

Key Takeaways

Professional Development: The internship provides opportunities to develop research skills, analytical abilities, and communication skills.
Networking: Interns have the chance to connect with leading experts in fiscal policy and build relationships with professionals in the field.
Substantive Work: Interns are given meaningful responsibilities and contribute to the work of their host organizations.
Exposure to Diverse Perspectives: The program exposes interns to a range of perspectives on fiscal policy, from progressive to conservative.

Additional Internship Opportunities at the Tax Foundation

Tax Foundation is partnering with the Peter G. Peterson Foundation for the 2026 PGPF Fiscal Internship Program, which offers full-time paid internships at leading policy organizations to a select group of college and graduate students interested in fiscal policy.

Development Intern Position

Development team interns help maintain key relationships with the Tax Foundation’s large donor network.

Cover Letter: Please submit a brief cover letter explaining your interest in the Development Intern position at Tax Foundation. We’d like to learn why you’re interested in nonprofit development and donor engagement, what draws you to the Tax Foundation’s mission and work, and how your skills or experiences would contribute to our fundraising team. Additionally, please tell us about any time that you have fundraised for a specific cause.
Writing Sample: Please describe a time you translated a complex policy or topic into clear written content for a non-expert audience. What was the topic, who was the audience, and what format did you use?
Policy Interests: US and European lawmakers have both been changing their approaches to international tax policy in recent years. Which recent or upcoming policy changes interest you most, and why?

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