13 Internships in Washington, D.C. for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jan 13
- 9 min read
If you’re in college, you might want to see how your classes connect to professional work. An internship helps you do that. You can develop skills you can’t learn in lectures, try out different roles, and meet people who can help you understand your next steps after graduation. Completing an internship gives you concrete work to highlight on your resume and helps you communicate your academic and career interests in later applications.
What internships are available for college students in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C., is one of the best places for college students to intern because so many national and international organizations operate here. Whether you’re interested in policy, justice, media, global affairs, science, or business, D.C. gives you access to environments where major decisions are made every day. Being local also helps you build relationships that can grow over time. Remaining in the city keeps the experience more affordable by eliminating relocation costs.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 13 internships in Washington, D.C., for college students! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
13 Internships in Washington, D.C. for College Students
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies by the program. Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week for 8 – 12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder’s University Internship Program is an eight-week, remote experience that connects college students and young professionals with fast-growing startups for real project work. You’re matched with a company based on your interests, and your weekly schedule stays light enough, about five to ten hours, to fit alongside classes or other commitments. Depending on your placement, you might build a machine learning model, conduct market research, design a product prototype, or contribute to a go-to-market plan. The work is structured to give you material you can use later on your resume or portfolio. You will work closely with your manager at the startup. Apply now!
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free (volunteer basis)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; interns work across multiple divisions
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions
Application Deadline: Fall – July 31; Spring – November 30; Summer – February 14
Eligibility: Open to undergraduate, graduate, and law students in good academic standing
The Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (OAG) Internship and Summer Associate Program gives you a direct look at how public-interest law works in the nation’s capital. You’ll support attorneys with legal research, case preparation, and trial-related tasks, contributing to work that affects cases and policy issues. The program includes field visits to places like the D.C. Jail and the Court of Appeals, giving you a clearer understanding of how the justice system operates across institutions.
Location: Washington, D.C. (Headquarters and local chapters)
Cost: Paid and unpaid positions available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; varies by department
Dates: 10-week programs throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling (Fall – April; Winter/Spring – September; Summer – November)
Eligibility: Undergraduate or graduate students
American Red Cross Internships give you the chance to support the work of one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world. Depending on your placement, you might assist with disaster response coordination, community outreach, communications, or volunteer support. Some interns analyze donor data or help with digital content, while others work directly with local teams during emergencies. The program offers both remote and in-person roles, allowing you to fit the experience around your schedule.
Location: White House, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free (you can apply for outside funding)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective
Dates: Fall – September 17–December 12; Spring – January 21–April 10
Application Deadline: Fall – June 4; Spring – August 11
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 18+, including students, recent graduates, and veterans
The White House Internship Program gives you the chance to support teams working in communications, policy, and public engagement. You may draft memos, help plan events, assist with research, and manage daily tasks that support the Executive Office of the President. You will also attend sessions with senior officials to learn how federal operations and policy work. The internship offers direct exposure to government processes and the daily work of the Executive Branch.
Location: Washington, D.C., and U.S. Embassies worldwide
Cost: Students are paid (GS-4 base rate for sophomores/juniors; higher rates for advanced students)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Very competitive
Dates: Summer – May–July; Fall – Sept–Dec; Spring – Jan–Mar
Application Deadline: Summer – October; Fall – February; Spring – July
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are undergraduate juniors/seniors or graduate students with a GPA of 3.2+
If you’re interested in international relations or foreign policy, the U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program gives you direct exposure to how diplomacy works. You’ll support research, write reports, and assist with ongoing projects across different offices. Some interns work with diplomats and foreign service officers, which helps you understand how U.S. policy is developed and communicated abroad. The selection process is competitive and includes a detailed application followed by a security clearance, which can take time. If you’re selected, you’ll gain practical experience inside the federal government and see how foreign policy decisions move from planning to implementation.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Fall/Spring – $3,000; Summer – $6,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited; rolling basis
Dates: Fall/Spring – part-time; Summer – full-time (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling until positions are filled
Eligibility: Juniors, seniors, graduate students, or recent graduates
The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) offers paid, in-person internships in Washington, D.C., throughout the year. The program gives you the chance to work on real policy issues and see how bipartisan work happens inside a national research and advocacy organization. As an intern, you’ll join one of BPC’s policy teams, such as economics, energy, democracy, health, or housing, and support projects through research, writing, event planning, and communications. You’ll also see how people with different political views work together to develop practical policy ideas. Along the way, you’ll attend career development sessions and meet professionals across D.C.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $8,000 - $10,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small and highly selective
Dates: Summer (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens/permanent residents; juniors/seniors in art history; must show financial need
The Katzenberger Foundation Art History Internship offers paid, full-time summer roles at the Smithsonian for undergraduates who demonstrate financial need. You’ll work with curators, researchers, and collections staff across Smithsonian art museums and archives, supporting projects in art history, museum studies, or cultural heritage. Your work may include cataloging objects, assisting with exhibition research, or helping develop digital resources. You’ll also join enrichment sessions, meet museum professionals, and learn about different career paths in the arts and humanities.
Location: Washington, D.C. (Congressional Offices on Capitol Hill)
Cost: Paid – Summer: $4,776; Fall: $5,400
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; rolling basis
Dates: Summer – May 20–July 31 (10 weeks); Fall – August 19–November 13 (12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Summer – December 1; Fall – March 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled full-time; preference for 3.0+ GPA; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or lawfully authorized to work; demonstrated leadership and public service commitment
The CHCI Congressional Internship Program connects Latino undergraduate students with paid placements in congressional offices across the Capitol. You'll work 32+ hours weekly on legislative tasks like drafting memos, handling constituent requests, and attending hearings. Beyond the internship itself, you'll participate in an 8-day orientation and weekly leadership development sessions built around CHCI's four pillars of leadership. The program covers all your basics: flight, housing, meals, and even a $100 monthly Metro pass, so you can focus on the experience.
Location: Washington, D.C. (Downtown, Institute for Justice and Advocacy)
Cost/Stipend: None; monthly travel stipend (varies based on hours)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Rolling admissions; small cohorts
Dates: Rolling year-round (Spring, Summer, Fall semesters)
Application Deadline: Spring – November 15; Summer – April 15; Fall – July 22
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
At Shared Hope International, you'll work on real-world issues around human trafficking and policy advocacy from their downtown D.C. office. The program offers three internship tracks: Policy, Communications, or Events Management, so you can pick the focus that matches your interests. Your work ranges from research and policy analysis to social media campaigns and event coordination. You'll receive a monthly travel stipend based on your hours, course credit, and hands-on experience building a portfolio. The team keeps things practical, offering professional development workshops on resume writing and career growth while keeping hours flexible so you can balance classes.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Housing provided; up to $2,000 cost-of-living scholarship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Spring (full-time, 40 hrs/week)
Application Deadline: Priority – Sept 7; Rolling until filled after that
Eligibility: UF undergraduates (3.0 GPA+); juniors/seniors preferred
The University of Florida Washington, D.C. Internship Program places UF undergraduates in full-time roles inside congressional offices during the spring semester. You’ll live and work in D.C., supported by provided housing and a cost-of-living scholarship while completing a 40-hour workweek. Run by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service with UF Federal Relations, the program assigns you to a Florida House or Senate office, Republican or Democrat. Your work may include answering constituent requests, helping with communications, drafting reports or legislative updates, attending hearings, and assisting with events.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Housing at the Orrin G. Hatch Center; scholarships $1,000–$3,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 100+ students annually
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: University of Utah students earning internship credit
The Hinckley Institute’s Washington, D.C. Internship Program gives University of Utah students the chance to work full-time in government, media, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations while earning academic credit. You’ll work in a host office such as a congressional office, federal agency, think tank, or nonprofit. The Hinckley Institute helps match you with placements, prepares you for interviews, and offers career coaching throughout your internship. It’s a structured way to build professional skills while seeing how policy and public service operate from inside the capital.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderate
Dates: Spring – Jan 26–May 1; Summer – June 1–July 31; Fall – Aug 31–Dec 4
Application Deadline: Spring – Sept 25
Eligibility: Stockton undergraduates (GPA 2.75+, sophomores or higher)
Stockton University’s Washington Internship Program gives you the chance to spend a full semester in Washington, D.C., through The Washington Center (TWC). You’ll work full-time, take an academic course, and earn 16 credits that count toward your Stockton GPA. Once accepted, you’ll work about 36 hours a week in an internship matched to your interests, like Congress, law, media, science, nonprofits, or other fields. You’ll also attend a weekly evening class and complete a career readiness seminar and final portfolio. TWC manages your internship placement, housing, and weekly programming.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Regular tuition; housing arranged; some paid positions available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Spring – January–April; Summer – June–August; Fall – September–December
Application Deadline: Spring – September 21; Summer – December 28; Fall – March 29
Eligibility: Ohio State undergraduates with 60+ credits
The Washington Academic Internship Program (WAIP) at Ohio State University lets you spend a full semester in Washington, D.C., earning credit while gaining real experience in public service. You’ll intern 20–32 hours a week in a role that fits your interests, whether that’s government, nonprofits, science policy, or advocacy. OSU’s D.C. staff helps you secure your placement before you arrive, and the work you do will involve real tasks such as research, writing, and event planning. Alongside the internship, you’ll take a weekly policy seminar taught by a D.C.-based instructor and complete a capstone policy paper that connects your academic focus to your on-the-ground experience.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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