14 Summer Internships in D.C. for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 4 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you’re a college student interested in gaining work experience, a summer internship is a solid option. Internships give you industry exposure, allowing you to develop professional skills and build valuable connections while strengthening your resume. An internship allows you to meet mentors who can guide your future academic and career decisions. By giving you industry-specific skills and professional projects, an internship can boost your chances of getting a job after graduation.
With so many opportunities out there, it can feel overwhelming to decide which internship is actually worth your time. To help you choose, we’ve narrowed down this list using criteria like overall prestige, the rigor of the professional experience, and the opportunities to network with peers, mentors, and professionals. Here are 14 summer internships for college students in Washington, D.C.
If you’re looking for even more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs.
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies by program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap-year students who can commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective virtual internship where students collaborate with startups and nonprofits across diverse industries. Interns take on a real-world project of genuine need to their assigned organization and work closely with a manager throughout the internship cycle. Over the course of 8–12 weeks, participants gain hands-on experience in fields ranging from technology and deep tech to marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. The program emphasizes professional growth through active contribution, culminating in a presentation of work to the startup team. Designed for flexibility and meaningful engagement, Ladder provides a structured environment for students to develop practical skills while contributing to high-growth companies. Apply now!
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid 10-week contract
Dates: 10-week summer program
Application Deadline: There is no information available
Eligibility: College students in their penultimate year; on track to graduate between January and September of the following year; available full-time for all 10 weeks
The Treasury Summer Internship is the World Bank’s only internship designed specifically for college students, giving you an inside look at how a global financial institution operates. You’ll spend 10 weeks rotating through three Treasury teams, allowing you to explore areas that fit your interests while learning how different groups within the Treasury function. You’ll receive a week of training before starting your rotations, and each rotation finishes with a presentation to your team, helping you build communication and analysis skills. Throughout the summer, you’ll also join weekly discussions with the program director, attend talks from Treasury leaders, and even meet senior officers like the Vice President and Treasurer. Each year, the program hosts a select cohort of up to 16 students, ensuring personalized mentorship and a highly collaborative learning environment. You’ll work full-time in Washington, D.C., on a paid contract, and the World Bank provides a laptop and visa sponsorship if you need it, to support your experience.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: $8,000 stipend
Dates: June 1–August 7
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are rising juniors, juniors, seniors, or recent graduates (within six months) majoring in art history or a related field
The Katzenberger Foundation Art History Internship offers college students a 10-week, full-time summer experience working on research and collections projects across Smithsonian art museums and archives. You’ll spend 40 hours each week immersed in art-historical work, giving you exposure to how curators, archivists, and museum professionals study and preserve artworks. The program is need-based, making it especially helpful if finances have kept you from pursuing unpaid cultural-heritage experiences. You’ll apply through the Smithsonian’s SOLAA system and submit an essay, resume, transcript, and references; if selected, you’ll later provide financial-aid documentation. This internship is a great fit if you’re majoring in art history and want structured mentorship while sharpening your research, writing, and collections-handling skills.
Location: Washington, D.C. (hybrid; at least two days per week in person)
Cost/Stipend: $18–$20 per hour
Dates: June 8–August 14
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current college or graduate students, or recent graduates (within six months); must have U.S. work authorization (CPT/OPT accepted)
This full-time summer internship places you on a U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation team working on projects that address issues like education, workforce development, disaster resilience, civic engagement, or business innovation. You’ll spend your weeks researching, drafting memos, planning events, and supporting program operations. Your responsibilities depend on the department you’re matched with. Alongside your teamwork, you’ll join Chamber-wide programming, including conversations with senior executives, resume workshops, and networking events. You’ll rank your preferred departments when applying, which helps the Foundation match you to a unit that fits your goals, whether you’re drawn to communications, strategy, global resilience, civics, or education.
Location: Washington, D.C. (hybrid; at least two days per week in person)
Cost/Stipend: $18–$20 per hour
Dates: June 8–August 14
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current college or graduate students, or recent graduates (within six months); must have U.S. work authorization (CPT/OPT accepted)
This internship places you on one of the Chamber’s international or global policy teams, where you’ll explore how global economics, trade, regulatory cooperation, and geopolitical trends shape U.S. business interests. Depending on your preferences and background, you might support a regional team such as Asia, Europe, the Americas, South Asia, or the Middle East, or work with groups like the Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation or the Global Intelligence Desk. Your weekly work will likely include research, memo writing, event planning, tracking policy developments, and helping prepare briefings for internal and external partners. You’ll also join Chamber-wide programming, like networking events, talks with senior executives, and skill-building workshops, which help you understand how large policy organizations operate.
Location: Washington, D.C. (hybrid; at least two days per week in person)
Cost/Stipend: $18–$20 per hour
Dates: June 8–August 14
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current college or graduate students, or recent graduates (within six months); must have U.S. work authorization (CPT/OPT accepted)
This internship places you on one of the Chamber’s public policy or advocacy teams, where you’ll explore how business interests intersect with public policy across areas like energy, housing, cybersecurity, employment, healthcare, tax policy, and national security. Your day-to-day work may include researching legislation, writing memos, tracking policy developments, supporting stakeholder outreach, and helping prepare materials for advocacy efforts. You’ll rank your top two department preferences when applying, which could include divisions such as Housing Policy, Economic Policy, Capital Markets Competitiveness, Cyber & National Security, Government Affairs, or the Global Energy Institute. Alongside your team responsibilities, you’ll participate in Chamber-wide programming like resume workshops, networking events, and conversations with senior executives.
Location: Washington, D.C. (hybrid; at least two days per week in person)
Cost/Stipend: $18–$20 per hour
Dates: June 8–August 14
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: Current college or graduate students, or recent graduates (within six months); must have U.S. work authorization (CPT/OPT accepted)
This internship gives college students a chance to explore how communications, events, partnerships, and technology all support the work of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Depending on the department you rank in your application, you might help draft press releases, support social media campaigns, coordinate large-scale events, work with member organizations, assist HR with recruiting, or contribute to tech solutions that improve internal operations. You’ll also join Chamber-wide programming such as networking sessions with senior executives, resume workshops, and intern-only discussions designed to help you build confidence in a professional setting. The variety of participating teams, from Communications to Strategic Alliances to Event Operations, means you can tailor the experience toward branding, public affairs, event management, or organizational strategy.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend for 10 weeks
Dates: Ten-week summer program
Application Deadline: Summer postings go live February 2
Eligibility: Rising juniors and above; open to undergraduate and graduate students
The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Summer Internship is a full-time, ten-week program that immerses you in the work of a Washington organization committed to cross-party policy solutions. You’ll be matched with one of BPC’s project areas, such as economic policy, health, energy, housing, democracy, communications, human capital, government relations, or development. You’ll spend the summer doing research, drafting memos, supporting events, and working with analysts and staff. BPC also builds in professional development, from networking sessions to workshops with policy experts, helping you see how bipartisan policymaking works behind the scenes. If you want a summer in D.C. where you’ll learn how different sides of the political spectrum collaborate to shape long-lasting policy, this internship is a suitable option.
Location: Washington, D.C.; virtual; hybrid
Cost/Stipend: Stipends available
Dates: Duration ranges from 6 weeks to 1 year (varies by project)
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, graduate students, and working professionals
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage offers a wide range of internships where college students can explore fields like folklore, cultural anthropology, ethnomusicology, museum studies, arts administration, digital media, and more. You can work on projects related to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives, cultural sustainability research, or educational outreach under the guidance of Smithsonian staff. You’ll typically commit at least 15–20 hours per week, and you can choose a remote, hybrid, or in-person format depending on your availability. If your major aligns with subjects like American studies, music, history, or library science, you may be able to earn academic credit.
Location: Washington, D.C. (in person)
Cost/Stipend: $8,200 total ($5,200 stipend + $3,000 housing support)
Dates: June 2–July 25
Application Deadline: February 14
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are rising college first-years through rising seniors
The Claudine K. Brown Internship in Education is an eight-week, full-time summer program designed to help college students explore museum education and leadership while working directly with the Smithsonian’s central education office. You’ll support projects that shape how the Smithsonian reaches teachers, families, and school districts across the country. Much of your work will focus on communications and content creation, like helping plan the Smithsonian National Education Summit, contributing to outreach strategies, and drafting educational materials under the guidance of OUSE mentors. You’ll also attend planning meetings, practice public speaking, and get to know the wider community of 300+ Smithsonian educators. If you’re curious about the intersection of education, museums, and public engagement, this internship gives you a clear look at how national-level educational programming is designed and shared.
Location: Washington, D.C.; onsite or hybrid
Cost/Stipend: $6,800 stipend
Dates: June 16–August 8
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: Undergraduates who are at least 18 years old and enrolled in a degree-granting institution
This eight-week, full-time internship introduces you to museum work while giving you space to explore your interests within the National Museum of Asian Art. You’ll be matched with a department such as curatorial, education, collections, or digital media based on your background and goals, and you’ll contribute to projects alongside museum staff. The program aims to support students who are just beginning to explore the museum field, so you don’t need prior experience to intern. You’ll apply through the Smithsonian’s SOLAA portal and submit a cover letter, résumé, department preferences, and recommendation letters.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend
Dates: Starting on or after June 2 (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Graduate students or recent graduates (within one year) enrolled in library, archives, or information programs
This internship gives you a full-time, 10-week exploration into invention-related archival collections at the National Museum of American History’s Archives Center. You’ll work with staff archivists to process collections, understand how historical records of innovation are preserved, and create EAD finding aids using ArchivesSpace. Along the way, you’ll get to explore the museum’s rich holdings in technology and 20th-century material culture while building practical skills in arrangement, description, and professional archival workflows. You’ll apply through the Smithsonian’s SOLAA system and submit transcripts, a résumé, references, and a statement of interest that explains your academic background and goals.
Location: Washington, D.C. or Chantilly, VA (onsite only)
Cost/Stipend: Paid; summer interns receive a $7,500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: There is no information available
Dates: Summer internships: Early June–early August (10 weeks; full-time)
Application Deadline: Summer internships are announced in January
Eligibility: High school graduates enrolled in or recently graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program
The National Air and Space Museum offers both academic-year and summer internships where you’ll work directly with museum teams in areas like curatorial research, conservation, design, education, collections, and administration. Academic-year internships tend to be part-time, so you can balance coursework, while the summer program is a structured, full-time, 10-week experience with professional development events and exclusive access. You’ll apply through the Smithsonian’s SOLAA system and submit a résumé, transcript, statement of purpose, and recommendation letters. Because each internship is tied to a specific project, you’ll choose which teams you want to work with and show how your skills align.
Location: Washington, D.C. (hybrid or in-person, depending on internship site)
Cost/Stipend: Varies by home institution; program and housing fees apply
Dates: Summer and fall programs
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who are at least 18, have completed at least two semesters on campus
The Washington Center’s Academic Internship Program gives college students the chance to spend a summer or semester living and working in Washington, D.C., while earning academic credit. You’ll start with a structured preparation phase, about three months before arriving, where you’ll work with a career coach to polish your résumé, plan your internship search, and practice interviewing. If you stay on top of deadlines, TWC guarantees you an internship offer, which can be either hybrid or fully in-person once you arrive in D.C. Throughout the program, you’ll keep building career skills through workshops, networking events, and speaker series featuring leaders from across the city. You’ll also take a weekly academic course taught by professionals working in the field, helping you connect your internship experience to what you’re learning in class.
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 PhD 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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