2027 Legal, Policy, Research, or Technologist Internships (Graduate Students)

Overview

The organization is accepting applications for graduate student internships for summer 2027. This is a 10-week opportunity for students to apply principles learned in the classroom in real policy environments.

Summer interns work closely with policy experts, researchers, technologists, and lawyers on civil rights, civil liberties, and international human rights issues related to technology policy. Topics may include AI governance, consumer privacy, online expression, digital surveillance, equity in civic technology, competition, and elections.

Responsibilities

Interns may conduct research, produce independent writing, attend events, participate in strategy meetings, and join meetings with outside stakeholders as appropriate. Depending on skills, expertise, and background, internship tasks and projects may include:

• Qualitative and quantitative research
• Legal research and analysis
• Research and writing about technical and policy issues

Placement is generally aligned with program of study:

• PhD students: policy or research roles
• Law students: legal or policy roles
• Technologists: technical and policy roles
• Policy students: policy roles

Teams You May Work With

Depending on the internship track and fit, you may work closely with at least one of the following teams:

• AI Governance Lab: Develops technically grounded resources advancing AI auditing, accountability, and safety; supports policy teams; conducts technical and policy analysis on emerging artificial intelligence topics.
• Equity in Civic Technology: Provides advocacy promoting responsible data and technology use while protecting privacy and civil rights; creates solutions-oriented policy resources and actionable technical guidance.
• Elections & Democracy: Supports secure, accessible, informed, and trustworthy elections; works with election officials, AI companies, online platforms, legislators, voting rights organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Free Expression: Focuses on protecting free expression from government and private party censorship; engages on First Amendment protections, Section 230, and access to a free and open internet.
• Privacy & Data: Covers commercial and consumer privacy, including disability and tech policy, civil rights and algorithmic bias, health privacy, transportation privacy, surveillance pricing, and privacy legislation.
• Research: Conducts independent, empirical research on emerging technology policy challenges.
• Security & Surveillance: Works to protect civil rights, civil liberties, and human rights in the face of government surveillance, including AI in law enforcement and national security contexts and encryption.

Internship Tracks and Eligibility

This listing describes the application process for Legal, Policy, Research, or Technologist Internships (Graduate Students).

This internship is for MA or MPP, JD, PhD, or dual degree candidates only.

Requirements (Successful Candidates Typically Have)

• Experience with legal or academic research tools
• Excellent writing skills for technical, policy, and lay audiences
• Ability to work independently on assigned projects
• Genuine curiosity and motivation to work at the intersection of technology, policy, civil rights, and civil liberties
• An understanding of how technology, policy, and law may have a disparate impact on individuals and communities based on race, gender, disability, income, immigration status, or other circumstances or characteristics

Application Process

Submit a current resume and a cover letter.

In your cover letter, explain your interest in an internship and answer one of the following prompts:

• Prompt 1: What is one technology policy problem you would be interested in working on during your time at CDT and why do you think it is important?
• Prompt 2: Describe a time where you advocated for or supported a specific technology policy or issue. What motivated you to get involved, and what impact did your efforts have, if any? (Advocacy can take many forms, including writing a column, working on a school project, or collaborating with colleagues to raise awareness about an issue.)

Application Timeline

• Applications accepted on a rolling basis beginning November 2, 2026
• Application deadline: January 18, 2027
• Review timeline: typically 4–12 weeks after submission
• Internship offers: typically between March and May
• Interviews begin: January 2027

Compensation & Benefits

• Internships usually begin after Memorial Day and last for 10 weeks.
• 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.

Location

Although remote participation may be accommodated, interns are encouraged to join in-person at the organization’s office in Washington, DC for the most engaging experience.

Work Authorization

International applicants are welcome to apply if authorized to work in the U.S. (like on a practical training program through an F-1 visa). The organization is not able to sponsor an employment visa at this time.

Additional Notes

Due to the large number of applications received, communication with candidates is not guaranteed unless selected for an interview.