Remote International Relations Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

The field of international relations offers a wide array of internship opportunities, providing invaluable experience for students and recent graduates interested in diplomacy, foreign policy, and global affairs. These internships can be found in various organizations, from governmental agencies to think tanks and international organizations. This article explores a range of remote international relations internships, highlighting the experiences they offer, eligibility criteria, and application processes.

Governmental Internship Opportunities

The Fund for Peace

The Fund for Peace (FFP) offers remote internships every semester to individuals interested in conflict early warning, peace building, security, and human rights. These internships vary in duration and are flexible to fit in with study schedules. Interns are given significant responsibility to manage their own projects and conduct their own research.

Flexibility: FFP accommodates both full-time and part-time interns. During the fall and spring terms, interns are asked to work 15-20 hours per week, while during the summer term, interns work a minimum of 30 hours per week. The program is specifically flexible regarding class schedules.
Eligibility: While FFP primarily seeks graduate students, they sometimes accept exceptional undergraduate students on a case-by-case basis.
Compensation: The Fund for Peace offers a stipend to cover expenses.
Visa Assistance: If a visa is required, The Fund for Peace is more than happy to assist you with the paperwork.
Application Process: All applications must be submitted via their page on Idealist when applications open. In your cover letter, be sure to explain your interest in and enthusiasm for The Fund for Peace, as often an applicant’s enthusiasm for the organization and our programs will give applicants an edge.

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID offers paid and unpaid internships and fellowship opportunities to qualified, talented students and recent graduates. These opportunities provide exposure to international development work and the chance to contribute to projects that promote economic growth, agriculture, and trade; global health; and democracy, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance.

Department of State's Pathways Internship Program

The Department of State's Pathways Internship Program includes both the Internship Temporary Program (ITEP) and the Internship Experience Program (IEP). These internships are available to U.S. citizens enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions from high school to graduate school and professional academic levels.

Locations: Opportunities are available in embassies and consulates throughout the world, as well as in various bureaus located in Washington, D.C. and at Department offices around the United States.
Virtual Internships: The Department of State also offers virtual internships, providing real experience to U.S. citizen college students. The time commitment is about 10 hours per week during the school year. There are opportunities for all, from data visualization to political analysis. Internships are paid but may be eligible for course credit.

Foreign Service Agencies

The six Foreign Service Agencies offer internship opportunities for students, providing exposure to various aspects of international affairs and diplomacy.

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Think Tank Internship Opportunities

Atlantic Council

The Atlantic Council offers internships to juniors, seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates passionate about global affairs. These internships provide a unique hands-on experience in foreign policy and exposure to a robust curriculum of foreign policy research, leadership training, and career development workshops.

Young Global Professionals (YGP) Program: The Atlantic Council’s YGP program focuses on developing global policy experts. The Young Global Professionals program at the Atlantic Council is far more than a typical internship. From the outset, I was entrusted with meaningful responsibilities across a range of projects with real-world relevance. I was encouraged not only to work hard, but also to voice my opinions, take initiative, and take pride in my contributions. Both within my immediate team and throughout the broader Atlantic Council network, I had access to a wide array of leaders in international policy who were eager to connect and support my professional growth.
Summer Internships: The Atlantic Council offers summer internship opportunities as a 9 to 10-week paid initiative offering in-depth exposure to mission-driven work.
Eligibility: Internships are open to juniors, seniors, graduate students, and recent graduates passionate about global affairs. Strong writing, research, and digital skills are highly valued.
Hours: Internships are part- or full-time (19 weeks for YGP, 10 weeks for summer interns) with 30-40 hours per week.
Application Process: The Atlantic Council only accepts applications through our applicant tracking system.

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

CSIS interns participate in a variety of activities that support individual programs/departments, including research, writing, and project development.

Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students with majors in international relations, political science, economics, or related fields are eligible to apply.

Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

CFR offers the Blavatnik Internship Program and the Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program, both of which are recruited year-round on a semester basis for positions in CFR’s New York and Washington, DC, offices.

Intern Duties: An intern’s duties generally consist of research, editing and writing, event coordination, and/or departmental support.
Professional Development: Blavatnik interns participate in CFR’s Intern Professional Development program, which complements their substantive work with a series of skill-based workshops, training, and career advice sessions.
Eligibility: CFR generally considers undergraduate and graduate students with majors in international relations, political science, economics, or a related field for its Blavatnik Internship Program. All applicants should have completed the equivalent of four semesters of college coursework (not including AP classes in high school) by the time they begin an internship. A regional specialization, language skills, and additional requirements may also be needed for some internships. In addition to meeting the intellectual requirements, applicants should have excellent skills in administration, writing, research, and computers, as well as previous office experience.
Application Process: There is one posting for the New York office, one for the Washington, DC office, and one for remote applicants. Applicants should apply to their desired work location and check off on their application each internship that they are interested in being considered for. A complete application consists of a resume and a cover letter.

The Brookings Institution

Interns may work with Brookings’s staff in research areas such as Economic Studies, Foreign Policy, Global Economy and Development, Governance Studies, and Metropolitan Policy.

Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates are eligible to apply.

American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

AEI is a research-based think tank in Washington DC.

Eligibility: Experienced undergraduate, graduate students, and recent graduates with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA are eligible to apply.

Hudson Institute

Hudson Institute offers a variety of research internships through which interns work closely with a particular scholar to produce research briefs, memos, and articles.

Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates with a demonstrated interest in international relations, political science, national security, or related fields are eligible to apply.

Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI)

FPRI offers internships for students during the Summer, Fall, and Spring terms. Interns have the opportunity to connect with members of the foreign relations community and gain experience working for a prestigious think tank.

Mentorship: Each intern is paired with a scholar or professional in the field who will work with them to develop industry-specific skills as well as sharpen general skills that come from working in a professional environment such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and time management.
Seminars and Events: Summer interns have the opportunity to attend weekly foreign policy and career-focused seminars with guest speakers. Interns gain access to all of FPRI’s in-person, virtual, and hybrid events, enriching their experience.
Research Opportunities: Interns have the opportunity to work on a research paper to be considered for publication on FPRI’s Intern Corner.
Internship Types: FPRI offers in-person and remote internships.
Eligibility: We welcome applicants at all stages of study. There are no restrictions on nationality, and one need not be a US citizen to apply.
Compensation: There are a limited number paid internship stipends available. We also offer part-time unpaid internships.
Application Process: Please carefully read the directions before submitting an application. Due to the volume of inquiries and applications, you will only be contacted if you have been selected for an interview. Please do not contact our office for an update. Applications are not reviewed on a rolling basis.

International Organizations Internship Opportunities

United Nations Headquarters

Interns at United Nations Headquarters in New York gain valuable hands-on experience working within a global organization.

Intern Duties: Intern duties vary by office but commonly include research, drafting documents, supporting conferences and meetings, data analysis, and policy assistance.
Eligibility: You are eligible if you are enrolled in or recently graduated (within 1 year) from a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. program.
Duration: Internships last a minimum of two months and a maximum of six months.
Compensation: Internships at the United Nations Secretariat are unpaid.
Expenses: Interns or their sponsoring institution are responsible for all costs, including travel, accommodation, medical insurance, and living expenses.
Visa: Interns are responsible for obtaining and financing their own visas for the duty station of their internship.
Application Process: Review the list of available Internship opportunities. Read the full job description for each posting. Create or log into your “Inspira” profile via the portal. Draft your application and cover letter, tailoring your skills and motivations to the specific internship posting. Then your application enters pre-screening and selection.

Organization of American States (OAS)

The Organization of American States (OAS) offers internships with an international political organization that aims to resolve and prevent conflicts.

Eligibility: Undergraduates in at least their second year of college and graduate students are accepted. A 3.0 GPA and fluency in French, Spanish, or Portuguese is required.

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