About the role#
The Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies seeks interns for the Fall 2026 term. You will work alongside the CCTI team to research how technology affects national security and economic prosperity. This role includes participating in a twice-monthly speaker series with senior staff and experts.
What you'll do#
- Conduct research on adversarial influence operations and the adversarial use of AI.
- Analyze U.S. and allied cyber capabilities.
- Examine NATO cyber readiness and critical infrastructure resilience.
- Collaborate with CCTI scholars on specific policy projects.
What you'll need#
- Coursework in international relations, national security policy, computer science, or a relevant STEM field.
- A minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word and basic Excel.
- A commitment of at least 22 hours per week.
- Eligibility to work in the United States.
- A responsive and self-motivated approach to tasks.
Location & details#
- This internship is based in Washington, DC, with hybrid, remote, and on-site options available.
- The position is paid.
- We welcome applicants from fields including International Relations, Computer Science, Political Science, History, Communications, Journalism, and Economics.
About Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is a nonpartisan research institute located in Washington, DC. It focuses on national security and foreign policy. The organization employs a team of experts from fields such as intelligence, law, and technology to produce research for policymakers and the media. It operates three centers that examine military, economic, and cyber power.
How to get in at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
Securing an internship at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies requires staying ahead of the application queue. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role is published, which helps you apply among the first before the candidate pool grows large. Applying early ensures your materials are seen while the team is still actively reviewing initial submissions. You can also use Intern Insider to surface the specific recruiters behind these roles. Reaching out directly to ask about the position or to request a referral often improves your response rate compared to submitting an application into a general portal.
