Research Intern - Defense and Foreign Policy

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

About the Role

This paid, in-person internship in Washington, DC (25–40 hours per week over 12 weeks) joins Cato’s Defense & Foreign Policy team, working with scholars such as Jon Hoffman (Middle East policy), Evan Sankey (US policy toward China, alliances, extended deterrence), and Brandan P. Buck (history of US foreign policy and the national-security state).

You’ll draft research briefs and memos, conduct literature reviews, assist with editing, and support events—contributing to Cato’s restrained grand strategy perspective.

Responsibilities

• Research projects on a broad spectrum of foreign policy topics—including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and everything in between—as well as defense, homeland security, and counterterrorism.
• Attend Hill briefings and panels at other think tanks.
• Gather foreign and defense policy news articles and op-eds.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in—and working familiarity with—US foreign and defense policy; enthusiasm for a grand strategy of restraint aligned with Cato’s principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
• Strong research and policy writing; develop literature reviews and clear briefs/memos with precise citations to primary sources.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (filters/sort, PivotTables); experience with R or Python for basic data tasks is a plus.
• Ability to monitor and synthesize developments across regions and US policy institutions (Congress, DoD, State) into clear, timely summaries.
• Graduate students preferred (political science, international relations, or history); strong undergraduates in IR or international history are welcome.
• Professionalism and reliability—manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, work independently with sound judgment, and communicate clearly.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC. 

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.