The American Enterprise Institute seeks an intern to assist with research and writing on a wide range of national security and defense issues. Interns will support the work of Senior Fellow Paul Lettow and Nonresident Senior Fellows John G. Ferrari and William C. Greenwalt.

Key responsibilities may include:

• Assisting with archival research on national security strategies from the Truman administration until today;
• Compiling research memos on topics pertaining to the US defense industrial base, such as the Australia-UK-US agreement, defense contracting, and acquisition authorities;
• Conducting quantitative research and modeling of the US Defense Department’s budget;
• Organizing research materials collected from presidential libraries and other archives; and
• Contributing language for op-eds and reports published in external media outlets and through the American Enterprise Institute.

Besides possessing a strong interest in defense and national security issues, candidates should be organized, detail oriented, and able to write concisely. Candidates must also have experience researching in academic settings or in previous professional environments. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required.

The start dates for the summer program are May 27 and June 3. While the AEI Internship Program and all related programming will take place in-person in Washington, DC this summer, 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.