The American Enterprise Institute’s Center on Opportunity and Social Mobility (COSM) seeks a driven, research-oriented data intern for spring 2025. The intern will work closely with COSM scholars Kevin Corinth and Scott Winship and COSM staff on quantitative, empirically driven, and policy-informing research that aims to improve opportunity and mobility for low-income Americans. The data intern will assist with studying the determinants of economic mobility and human flourishing in America.

The COSM data intern will interact with a variety of research and policy areas, including:

• Federal safety-net programs such as cash welfare, food assistance, and unemployment insurance;
• Trends in social capital in America; and
• Determinants of economic mobility and human flourishing.

The ideal COSM data intern is:

• Interested in learning more about antipoverty and opportunity policy,
• Motivated and comfortable working independently,
• Open to learning new skills on the job,
• Detail oriented, and
• Effective at communication

The COSM data intern will be expected to:

• Retrieve and analyze datasets,
• Assist with data-visualization projects,
• Produce literature reviews and memos,
• Complete administrative and logistical tasks,
• Perform background research for reports and scholarly publications, and
• Fact-check and edit op-eds and blog posts.

Successful applicants should have:

• Interest or experience studying anti-poverty policy.
• Interest or experience analyzing data in statistical software such as Stata or R.
• Experience studying economics and statistics—particularly as it relates to public policy.

The ideal candidate for this internship will have a passion for understanding trends in poverty and mobility as well as engaging in policy-applicable research through data analysis and quantitative methods.

The start dates for the spring program are January 7 and January 14. While the AEI Internship Program and all related programming will take place in-person in Washington, DC this spring, virtual interns may be accepted on a case by case basis. Please include your preferred start date and note your in-person/virtual preference in your cover letter.  Please note that a cover letter and writing sample are both required, in order for your application to be considered complete.

About AEI Internships

AEI internships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates to gain experience in research, writing, business, and communications at one of the nation’s leading think tanks. Competitive candidates will generally have a 3.4 GPA or higher from a top-ranking college or university. The AEI internship program runs 12 weeks. Please see the internship program home page for updates about the program.