Smithsonian Museum of American History Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

The Smithsonian National Museum of American History (NMAH) offers a variety of internships, providing invaluable professional learning experiences in diverse museum fields. These internships are designed to align with both the intern's academic and career aspirations and the museum's mission. This guide provides a detailed overview of the NMAH internship program, including application requirements, timelines, and available opportunities.

Understanding NMAH Internships

Internships at NMAH are structured as professional learning experiences. Under the guidance of a supervisor, interns gain practical knowledge and skills relevant to their chosen museum field. The internships are designed to be relevant to both the intern's academic and professional goals, contributing to the museum's overall objectives.

Application Timeline and Deadlines

The NMAH Internship Program follows a semester-based recruitment schedule (spring, summer, and fall), with specific application deadlines for each term. It's crucial to note that all required application components must be submitted by the deadline for the application to be considered complete. Extensions are not granted, so applicants should allocate sufficient time to thoroughly review their application for accuracy and completeness.

The tentative recruitment timeline for the NMAH Internship Program for 2026 is as follows:

Spring 2026:
- Application Opens: By October 1
- Application Closes: Mid-to-Late October
- Applicants Notified: Mid-November
Summer 2026:
- Application Opens: By December 24
- Application Closes: Mid-to-Late January
- Applicants Notified: Mid-to-Late February
Fall 2026:
- Application Opens: By June 1
- Application Closes: Mid-to-Late June
- Applicants Notified: Early-to-Mid July

To stay informed about NMAH internship recruitment updates, interested individuals can seek to stay up-to-date about our recruitment for NMAH internships.

How to Apply: Required Documents and Steps

The application process for NMAH internships requires careful preparation and attention to detail.

Required Documents

Before initiating the application, applicants should research the available internship projects for the upcoming semester and determine which project aligns with their interests and goals. General applications are typically available only for the summer semester.

The two essential materials for the application are:

A Learning Goals Essay: This essay should be between 500 and 1,250 words and include a specific paragraph outlining what the applicant hopes to learn through the internship. The essay should address the following questions:
- What do you hope to learn through this internship, and how would the internship relate to your academic and career goals?
- When applying to a specific Internship Project, be sure to include learning goals for the specific internship experience that you've selected as your Project Choice.
- For Summer Applications: If you're applying through a General Application, please specify which specific division(s) within the larger Offices that you want to intern with. For example, if you're applying to the General Application Pool for Public History: Collections, Curatorial, and Digital Access and Archives, you could specify that you'd like to intern with the Division of Work & Industry or the Conservation team.
- What about this specific internship project or topic interests you and made you want to apply for this internship?
- How are you prepared for this internship regarding your past academic history, your present academic endeavors, and/or other relevant experiences outside of academia?
- If the internship posting says it's open to virtual, in-person, or hybrid internships, please also specify in your learning goals essay if you would like to be considered for a virtual, in-person, and/or hybrid (part in-person, part virtual) internship experience!
A Current CV or Resume

Read also: Conservation Internships

Optional Documents

Applicants may also choose to include the following optional documents:

An unofficial transcript or class list from all academic institutions listed on the application. If transcripts or other materials are not in English, a translation should be provided.

It is recommended to remove any unrequested Personally Identifiable Information (PII), such as social security numbers, from application materials.

SOLAA Account Registration and Application Submission

The application process is conducted through the Smithsonian Institution's Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA).

Register for a SOLAA Account: Create an account on the SOLAA platform. Only completed applications submitted through SOLAA will be considered. A complete application includes a resume and learning goals essay submitted by the deadline.
Start Your Application: After logging in, initiate the application process.
Select Program Type: Choose "Internship" from the Program Type dropdown menu.
Select Office/Museum/Research Center: Select "National Museum of American History."
Choose NMAH Internship Program: Locate the "National Museum of American History (NMAH) Internship Program." If applications are being accepted, a green "Apply Now" button will be visible.
Continue Application: Click "Apply Now" and then "Continue Application."
Complete Application Sections: Fill out the requested information, including Personal Info, Current Affiliation, and Academic History. Use the progress bar to track progress and save the application.
Selecting Your Internship: Program Choices: Select the specific internship project for which you are applying. Applicants can submit multiple applications, each with a different project choice.
Double Check Semester: Verify that the application is for the correct semester (e.g., Spring 2023).

Additional Information

Recommendation Letters: Recommendation letters are an optional part of the application. While not required for a complete application, if you choose to solicit them via SOLAA, ensure references submit their letters before the deadline.
Application Submission: Once submitted, the application cannot be altered.
Review Process: Mentors review applications after the submission deadline to ensure a fair evaluation. Decisions are typically made within four to six weeks after the deadline, but this depends on mentors' schedules.
Deferral: If selected but unable to accept the internship for the current semester, it may be possible to defer the acceptance to a future semester.

Applying for Multiple Internship Projects

Applicants interested in multiple internship projects are encouraged to apply for each project that aligns with their interests. SOLAA allows applicants to "copy" their initial application and modify the project choice and learning goals essay before submitting it again. Each application should focus on one specific internship project.

Internship Opportunities at NMAH

NMAH offers a variety of specific internships each semester, depending on supervisor availability and upcoming projects. General application pools are also available for applicants with broader interests or those who do not find a specific internship that aligns with their learning goals.

Read also: A Guide to Smithsonian Internships

NMAH internships may be fully in-person, virtual, or hybrid (part in-person, part virtual), depending on the specific opportunity. Details are included in the individual postings for each internship.

Specific Internship Examples

Here are some examples of internships offered at NMAH, showcasing the diverse opportunities available:

Archival, Collections, and Curatorial Practice

Collections Management Internship: Digital Collections Record Enhancement: This internship focuses on assisting with record enhancement for objects and images related to an upcoming exhibition for Americaâs 250th anniversary. The intern will review and enhance public-facing data information for objects displayed in the related 2026 online exhibition and produce original descriptive alternative text for images of collections displayed in the exhibition.
Collections Management Internship: Domestic Life Cataloging: This internship involves performing cataloging within the CIS, Mimsy XG, to capture information directly from objects in storage, such as makerâs marks, and confirm and write object descriptions in the Domestic Life collection.
Collections Management Internship: Printing and Printmaking: This internship introduces interns to the collections management systems of a federal (Smithsonian) museum, focusing on the history of printing and printmaking.
Collections Management Internship: Textiles: This internship provides training and hands-on experience in collections management, with a focus on the Textiles Collection in the Division of Home and Community Life. The intern will complete a project inventorying, researching, cataloging, rehousing, and photographing a group of under-documented objects in the collection.
Curatorial and Collections Management Internship: Numismatics: This internship focuses on locating, cataloging, and digitizing President Eisenhowerâs personal collection of coins, medals, and notes dating from ancient Rome to the 1950s within the National Numismatic Collection.

Curatorial Exhibit Development

Curatorial Exhibit Development Internship: Entertainment Collection: This internship allows the intern to work with the curator of the Entertainment Collection, deepening their understanding of public history and curatorial practice, including collections management and planning, historical and object research, exhibition development, and public engagement and museum programs.
Curatorial Exhibit Development Internship: National 250th Anniversary: This internship assists in the planning of a Smithsonian-wide exhibition for the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. The intern will conduct in-depth research on historical objects, assist with the selection process, and help plan the layout and design of the exhibition.

General Internship Information

Internship Hours: All NMAH internships are expected to be at least 16 hours per week, and most take place during the typical work week schedule.
Qualifications: Specific qualifications and prerequisites vary depending on the individual internship opportunity.
Stipends: Many internships offer stipends to help defray the intern's cost of living. The specific amount varies depending on the internship and the intern's weekly schedule. Additional stipend funding may be available based on self-disclosed financial need.

Archives Center Internships

The Archives Center at NMAH also offers internships in the fall, spring, and summer. Intern projects involve processing archival collections, digitizing materials, cataloging items, and providing reference assistance to researchers.

Internship Requirements: Internships require at least 20 hours per week for eight weeks. Start and end dates can be negotiated.
Application Materials: Applicants should submit an application through SOLAA.
Eligibility: Most interns are undergraduate or graduate students, but student status is not required. The Museum welcomes diversity in all respects.
Skills Learned: Interns gain skills in building custom enclosures, digitizing documents, assisting researchers, creating finding aids, researching and preparing exhibits, and providing administrative support.
Additional Requirements: Interns are encouraged to attend staff meetings, participate in enrichment programs, and make presentations about their work.
Stipends: Most Archives Center internships are unpaid volunteer positions. Some funded internships are available on a competitive basis through the Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many internships are awarded? The number of interns varies depending on the time of year and project and staff availability.
How much time does the archival internship require? Internships require at least 20 hours per week for eight weeks. Some interns choose to devote more hours (up to 40 hours per week) or stay for longer periods of time (from three months to one year).
Who can apply? Most interns are either undergraduate or graduate students from colleges and universities around the world, but student status is not required. The Museum welcomes diversity in all respects, including but not limited to age, occupation, nationality, and background, within its intern population.
Can I earn academic credit? Yes. Check with your academic advisor about the specifics associated with your program. If selected, please notify us of your interest in earning academic credit and weâll complete any necessary paperwork.
What type of skills will I learn? This internship is a paraprofessional hands-on experience that expose the candidate to a variety of skills: Building custom enclosures such as boxes, sink mats, and phase boxes; Digitizing photographs and other documents and managing digital assets; Assisting researchers; receive or reshelve collection materials; Creating EAD finding aids using ArchivesSpace; Researching, designing, and preparing small exhibits; Assisting with tours of the Archives Center and other public programs; and Providing administrative and organizational support
Are there other requirements? Yes. If selected, interns encouraged to attend Archives Center staff meetings to learn more about how an archives is managed; participate in scheduled enrichment programs and fieldtrips to other archival repositories; and make presentations about their work.
Is there a stipend? Most Archives Center internships are unpaid volunteer positions. Some funded internships are available on a competitive basis through the Smithsonian Office of Internship Programs.
Where can I find housing? Locating housing in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is challenging.

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