Center for Democracy & Technology

Intern at DC’s Top Tech Policy Think Tank this Summer! 

The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) is now accepting applications for internships for the summer of 2027. We welcome applications from students currently enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs with an interest in technology policy, human rights, civil rights, and civil liberties. The summer internship program is a 10-week opportunity for students to apply the principles they have learned in the classroom in real policy and non-profit environments.

Summer interns work closely with CDT’s Communications, Development, and State Engagement teams on an array of projects across our policy areas. Typical tasks for these roles include editing CDT reports, drafting social media copy, staffing in person and online events, supporting strategic communications, supporting our state legislation tracking system, researching approaches to state policy across CDT’s issue areas, engaging with state level policymakers and coalition partners, researching development prospects, supporting grant applications, and otherwise supporting fundraising for a 50+ person organization. CDT works on a number of issues related to technology, including AI governance, consumer privacy, online expression, digital surveillance, civic technology, and elections & democracy. Interns and fellows conduct research, produce independent writing, attend events, participate in strategy meetings, and join meetings with outside stakeholders as appropriate. 

This listing describes the application process for three distinct internships on these CDT teams:

• The Communications team works with teams across the organization to strategically develop, produce, and distribute CDT's work, and promote CDT's reputation as the leading nonpartisan, nonprofit organization fighting to advance civil rights and civil liberties in the digital age. We lead outreach to CDT's audiences via the traditional press, social media, email, podcasts, and web. A team of communications professionals, we enjoy translating CDT's complex issues for key audiences, and are looking for applicants interested in pursuing a communications career.

• The Development & External Affairs (DEAL) team is responsible for the organization's fundraising, donor relations, grants management, and stakeholder engagement. Working in close partnership with CDT's policy, research, and executive teams, DEAL identifies mission-aligned funders, cultivates relationships with them, and provides strategic advice on how to grow the organization's impact and influence. The team runs two major fundraising events each year, CDT's Spring Fling and Tech Prom, which bring together over 1,000 tech policy leaders from across industry, civil society, academia, and government; and manages CDT's external networks, including our Advisory Council, Non-Resident Fellows, and Collaborating Attorneys Network.

• The State Engagement team is dedicated to advancing CDT's mission at the state level. We track legislation, join coalition calls, and engage with coalition partners and state level government officials on the range of CDT's issue areas, including privacy, surveillance, free expression, elections, the government use of technology, AI governance and regulation, and competition.

General Qualifications:

• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize.

• Ability to work independently when assigned projects.

• Genuine curiosity and motivation to work at the intersection of technology, policy, civil rights, and civil liberties with an imaginative approach to work.

Communications candidates typically have: 

• Superb writing skills and a deep personal commitment to grammatical pedantry

• A passion for exploring a wide range of new topics and sharing what they learn with others

• A can-do attitude and a creative approach to problem solving

• An interest in media, journalism, and policy communication.

Development & External Affairs candidates typically have:

• Interest in helping develop and execute strategies to engage external stakeholders, including tech companies, nonprofit and academic leaders, and philanthropic funders

• Desire to learn about nonprofit management and operations

• Readiness to jump into a team-first atmosphere and have some fun!

State Engagement candidates typically have:

• Interest in a broad range of tech policy issues and supporting CDT’s advocacy at the state level, including the tracking and prioritization of bills, participating in outreach to state level officials and coalition partners, and drafting analysis of policy trends and developments

• Ability to work both independently and with a team

• A passion for CDT’s mission to protect digital civil rights and liberties!

Please apply below by submitting a current resume and a cover letter. In your cover letter please explain your interest in an internship at CDT and answer the following prompt. Also, please specify in your cover letter whether you are interested in the Communications Internship, the Development & External Affairs Internship, the State Engagement Internship, or any combination of these internships. If you have any questions, please contact internapps@cdt.org. 

Writing prompt

1. Describe a time where you distilled a complex policy topic for different audiences, and tell us about how you approached this.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning on November 2, 2026. Applications for this role will close on January 18, 2027. In general, it takes 4–12 weeks to review applications after they are submitted, and internship offers are made between March and May. Interviews will begin in January 2027. 

Internships usually begin after Memorial Day and last for 10 weeks. Although we can accommodate remote participation, we encourage all interns to join in-person at CDT’s office in Washington, DC, for the most engaging experience. 

Interns who are not receiving funding from another source such as a school stipend or fellowship will receive a stipend of $7,500 over the course of the 10-week program. If you have questions about funding, please contact internapps@cdt.org.

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we cannot guarantee communication with candidates unless they are selected for an interview.

We would be happy to consider applications from international applicants who are authorized to work in the U.S. (like on a practical training program through an F-1 visa). Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor an employment visa at this time.