Internships are an excellent way for AGS students to gain knowledge and experience within their prospective fields. Our strong network of alumni and employers recognize the benefits of working with high caliber AGS students. Employers trust the quality of Duke students' contributions and actively encourage their applications.
Click below to learn more about organizations
ABOUT: We seek to identify, educate, and launch young men and women into foreign policy and national security careers imbued with the Hamiltonian perspective of strong and principled American leadership in global affairs. See more.
ABOUT: The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture. See more.
ABOUT: AFPC is widely recognized as a source of timely, insightful analysis on issues of foreign policy, and works closely with members of Congress, the Executive Branch and the policymaking community. It is staffed by noted specialists in foreign and defense policy, and serves as a valuable resource to officials in the highest levels of government. See more here.
ABOUT: The Aspen Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the greatest challenges of our time. See more.
ABOUT: The Atlantic Council promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the Atlantic Community’s central role in meeting global challenges. The Council provides an essential forum for navigating the dramatic economic and political changes defining the twenty-first century by informing and galvanizing its uniquely influential network of global leaders. The Atlantic Council—through the papers it publishes, the ideas it generates, the future leaders it develops, and the communities it builds—shapes policy choices and strategies to create a more free, secure, and prosperous world. See more here.
ABOUT: The Asia Group is the premier strategic advisory firm to the world's leading companies seeking to excel across Asia. See more.
ABOUT: Bechtel helps our customers deliver projects of purpose that create a lasting positive legacy. These are projects that create jobs and grow economies; improve the resiliency of the world's infrastructure; connect communities to resources and opportunity; get us closer to net zero; protect U.S. and allied interests; tackle critical environmental challenges to protect people and the planet; and accelerate progress to make the world a cleaner, greener, safer place. See more.
ABOUT: The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level. See more.
ABOUT: The Carnegie–Tsinghua Center, a joint center set up by Tsinghua University Department of International Relations and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, brings together the world’s top scholars and experts from China, the United States, and the international community for collaborative research with an aim toward identifying effective and constructive solutions to common global challenges and issues of today, including China's foreign relations, international economics and trade; climate change and energy; nonproliferation and arms control; and other global and regional security issues. See more.
*Recommended*
Internship Title: Young Ambassador and Government Relations Intern
Location: Beijing, China
Recommender: William Tong
"My primary role was to assist the Government Relations and Partnership Coordinator in her daily work."
ABOUT: For more than 40 years, Cato has led the charge for liberty in our nation and around the world. The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—or think tank—that creates a presence for and promotes libertarian ideas in policy debates. Our mission is to originate, disseminate, and advance solutions based on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. See more here.
ABOUT: The Center for American Progress is an independent, nonpartisan policy institute that is dedicated to improving the lives of all Americans through bold, progressive ideas, as well as strong leadership and concerted action. Our aim is not just to change the conversation, but to change the country. See more here.
ABOUT: The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) is an independent, bipartisan, nonprofit organization that develops strong, pragmatic, and principled national security and defense policies. CNAS engages policymakers, experts, and the public with innovative, fact-based research, ideas, and analysis to shape and elevate the national security debate. A key part of our mission is to inform and prepare the national security leaders of today and tomorrow. See more.
ABOUT: The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges. See more.
*Recommended*
Internship Title: Energy and National Security Program Intern
Location: Washington, DC
Recommender: Aateeb Khan
"I was able to engage in a variety of impactful and personally enriching projects. I was also able to vastly expand my professional network in this unique space through exposure to figures in both the energy industry and the national security apparatus."
Learn more about student opportunities with the CIA here.
ABOUT: Clarkston Consulting provides management and technology consulting services for the world’s leading life sciences, consumer products, and retail companies. Clarkston’s focus on delivering brilliant client service combined with our sought after consulting talent differentiates us from other consulting firms. See more.
ABOUT: The College of International Security Affairs (CISA) is one of National Defense University's five colleges. CISA educates students from across the international, interagency, and interservice communities. Graduates include alumni from over 100 partner nations and every major U.S. federal executive agency. See more here.
ABOUT: The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries. Founded in 1921, CFR takes no institutional positions on matters of policy. Our goal is to start a conversation in this country about the need for Americans to better understand the world. See more here
*RECOMMENDED*
Internship: International Economics Intern; Franklin Williams Fellow
Location: New York, NY
Recommender: Sabriyya Pate
"Most incredible opportunity to attend Council events and learn from the fellows and research assistant whose work I was supporting; furthermore, I developed a strong network within the organization's community and learned so much from their diverse experiences."
ABOUT: EastWest Institute (EWI) is a global network of influential stakeholders committed to and engaged in building trust and preventing conflict around the world. See more.
ABOUT: The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) hosts Washington, D.C.-based and virtual Academic Internship Programs for undergraduate students each summer, fall and spring. TFAS programs include academic credit from George Mason University, an internship placement and furnished housing in the heart of Washington, D.C. Students participate in a variety of exclusive guest lectures, site briefings as well as professional development and networking events. TFAS students leave Washington with 250+ hours of professional experience, an expanded network of contacts, and a greater understanding of the variety of career opportunities. See more here.
ABOUT: The Edward M. Kennedy Institute brings Senator Kennedy’s vision for a dynamic hub of civic engagement to life. With educational programs, public forums, and digital exhibits, the Kennedy Institute welcomes individuals of all ages to debate the issues of the day, learn from each other, and leave empowered to make their own contributions to improving their communities and our nation. See more here.
ABOUT: “Global Risk Advisors (G.R.A) is a management consultancy providing cybersecurity, military and law enforcement training, and strategic advisory services. We combine real-world experience, in-depth research, and rigorous analysis to create and deliver unsurpassed, actionable products. Our staff is uniquely well positioned and dedicated to helping our clients navigate a world of uncertainty.” See more here.
*RECOMMENDED*
Title: Intern
Location: Washington, DC
Recommender: Roma Sonik
"I conducted analysis on a variety of global issues as they affected the economy."
ABOUT: Freedom House is founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people. See more here.
ABOUT: The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global financial institution that delivers a broad range of financial services across investment banking, securities, investment management and consumer banking to a large and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in all major financial centers around the world. See more here.
ABOUT: In 2021, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) celebrated 100 years of making the government work better for you. GAO, often called the "congressional watchdog,” is an independent, non-partisan agency that works for Congress. GAO examines how taxpayer dollars are spent and provides Congress and federal agencies with objective, non-partisan, fact-based information to help the government save money and work more efficiently. See more here.
ABOUT: The fellowship ensures a pipeline of the brightest, most dedicated, and diverse next-generation experts into leading think tanks and advocacy groups in order to inspire creative new approaches to the pervasive challenges to peace and security. Its goal is to bridge the gap between academia and the professional world by providing an entree for mission-driven grads eager to learn about and contribute to public-interest organizations. See more here.
ABOUT: The Hertog Foundation offers several highly competitive and selective educational programs for outstanding individuals who seek to influence the intellectual, civic, and political life of the United States. We offer programs in three main areas: Political Thought & Philosophy; War & Foreign Affairs; and Economics & Domestic Policy. See more here.
ABOUT: Founded in 1961 by strategist Herman Kahn, Hudson Institute challenges conventional thinking and helps manage strategic transitions to the future through interdisciplinary studies in defense, international relations, economics, health care, technology, culture, and law. Hudson guides public policy makers and global leaders in government and business through a vigorous program of publications, conferences, policy briefings, and recommendations. See more here.
Location: Washington, DC
ABOUT: The Institute of World Politics (IWP) is an independent graduate school founded to fill a major national need: to supply professional education in statecraft, national security, intelligence, and international affairs that no other school offers and that few people acquire except through an entire career of on-the-job experience. See more here.
ABOUT: "The School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) was founded in 1943 by Paul H. Nitze and Christian A. Herter, statesmen who sought to prepare the next generation of leaders to meet the complex challenges the U.S. and the world would face following World War II. Eight decades later, in 2023, SAIS will welcome its first students to 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, inaugurating the next chapter in our remarkable history of fostering cutting edge research and dynamic young leaders to help meet the world’s most pressing challenges." See more here.
ABOUT: McChrystal Group is the trusted advisor for organizations that are ready to tackle the complexities of building momentum, in a world where strong leadership and adaptability are critical. See more here.
ABOUT: The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is an independent, nonprofit foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. Each year, NED makes more than 2,000 grants to support the projects of non-governmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 100 countries. See more here.
ABOUT: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency delivers world-class geospatial intelligence that provides a decisive advantage to policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders. See more here.
ABOUT: Population Connection is the national grassroots population organization that educates young people and advocates progressive action to stabilize world population at a level that can be sustained by Earth’s resources. See more here.
ABOUT: RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. See more here.
ABOUT: Renaissance Strategic Advisors is one of the leading consultancies supporting premier firms in the aerospace, defense, space, intelligence, and government services industry as they address their most complex and critical issues. Our strategy, market assessment, and M&A due diligence services are founded upon multi-disciplinary skills, judgment, and trust. See more here.
ABOUT: We are an independent nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. See more here.
ABOUT: With its eminent scholars and world-renowned Library and Archives, the Hoover Institution is a public policy think tank that seeks to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity, while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all mankind. See more here.
ABOUT: The Tobin Project acts as a catalyst for transformative research in the social sciences. See more here.
ABOUT: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization. Our members range from the small businesses and chambers of commerce across the country that support their communities, to the leading industry associations and global corporations that innovate and solve for the world’s challenges, to the emerging and fast-growing industries that are shaping the future. For all of the people across the businesses we represent, the U.S. Chamber is a trusted advocate, partner, and network, helping them improve society and people’s lives. See more here.
See internship opportunities here.
*RECOMMENDED*
Title: Intern
Location: Bethesda, MD
Recommender: Jenson Blue
"Great leadership, good mentors"
See internship opportunities here.
See internship opportunities here.
ABOUT: Valens Global was founded on the belief that the private sector was vital to advancing the national security interests of America and its allies, and to saving lives by protecting the public from terrorist attacks and other threats of sub-state violence. Also central to Valens Global’s founding mission was the belief that the national-security field needed to improve. Our goal, simply put, is to understand, predict, and act to empower clients as they navigate and address emergent challenges rooted in security, technology, and a changing global society. We have a strong track record, and consistently deliver services and products that both exceed our clients’ expectations and stand the test of time. See more here.
See internship opportunities here.
ABOUT: The Wilson Center, chartered by Congress in 1968 as the official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson, is the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum for tackling global issues through independent research and open dialogue to inform actionable ideas for the policy community. See more here.