Budget and Entitlement Policy Research Intern
*To be considered for an internship, you must apply directly through our online application here.*
As a Budget and Entitlement intern, you will help economists research tax and budget issues, work with spreadsheet data, use government and private data sources, and develop firsthand knowledge about federal spending programs and entitlement policies.
Workload
- Frequent fact-finding missions to support scholars’ op-eds, studies, and blog posts
- Track pending state and federal legislation
- Data collection for comparative studies of policies across states and countries
- Write up background research on issues of interest to scholars
Qualifications
- Strong economic background
- Proficiency in Excel
- Interest in budget and entitlement policy
The foundations of economic freedom are personal choice, voluntary exchange, and open markets. As Adam Smith, F. A. Hayek, and Milton Friedman stressed, freedom of exchange and minimally regulated markets supply the fuel for economic progress. Without exchange and entrepreneurial activity that is coordinated through markets rather than by governments, modern living standards would be impossible. Cato scholars explore policy reforms that could increase growth by strengthening property rights and the rule of law, safeguarding the value of money, reducing excessive taxes and regulations, scaling back government interference with trade and immigration, and reducing federal spending on programs that harm economic productivity.
About the Cato Internship Program
Cato’s paid internships are for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who have a strong commitment to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that, taken together, constitute libertarianism, known alternately as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, just “liberalism.”
All Cato interns attend the same intensive seminar series, which covers a broad range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also aid with events and occasionally help Cato staff with other day-to-day needs.
Interns receive competitive compensation. Part-time positions are adjusted accordingly and carry a minimum of 25 hrs./wk. Program participants must be available in person in Washington, D.C.
For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website.
If you have any questions, email Cortez Bartolome, Programs Coordinator, at studentprograms@cato.org