Fall 2026 Liberty and National Security Undergraduate Internship

About the role#

The Brennan Center for Justice seeks undergraduate interns for the Liberty and National Security (LNS) program for the Fall 2026 term. This is a paid, in-person internship based in our Washington, D.C. office. Interns will support staff through a combination of substantive research and administrative tasks, with opportunities to observe meetings and events related to our policy work.

What you'll do#

• Conduct research on program issues, including surveillance, religious and racial profiling, counter-terrorism initiatives, and presidential emergency powers.
• Copy-edit and cite check research papers, blogs, op-eds, and other materials.
• Assist with scheduling, mailing publications, and maintaining contact lists.
• Provide general administrative and clerical support, including filing, photocopying, shipping, coordinating meetings, and preparing expense reports.
• Assist with front desk duties and event support as needed.

What you'll need#

• Current undergraduate student status.
• Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Experience using research databases such as JSTOR, ProQuest, Congressional, or Document Cloud.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt to evolving responsibilities.

Location & details#

• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Term: September – December 2026.
• Commitment: Approximately 10 – 20 hours per week.
• Compensation: $18.40 per hour (subject to school internship policies regarding payment).