Summer 2026 Internship, Democracy and Security Network in Washington, District of Columbia at The German Marshall Fund of the United States

GMF’s Democracy and Security Network is seeking part-time program trainees for the period from June 2026 – September 2026 to assist with program support, research assistance, and network coordination. The trainee will support the team with essential operational, outreach, and administrative activities relating to programming around the intersection of civil-military relations and democratic resilience. Research duties will primarily focus on the development of a dataset of military politicization in consolidated democracies.

Trainees will benefit from exposure to GMF’s experts and network, and will gain valuable research, analysis, and writing experience. The traineeship will consist of both in-person and remote work. Only applicants who are college graduates will be considered.

The position will be compensated at a rate of $18.40 per hour with a flexible time commitment of 20-30 hours per week. Trainees are offered an ideal opportunity to acquire substantive professional experience for those interested in a career in public policy or international affairs.

Potential Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Research civil-military relations across a wide range of national and international contexts
• Assist with planning of logistics of expert convenings, including the formation of a distinguished advisory council of US civil-military thought leaders
• Coordinate convenings of policymakers, civil society groups, current and former members of the military, and other civil-military relations experts and practitioners
• Monitor civil-military relations developments at both the state and federal levels
• Provide research, writing, and editing support on publications related to the military, democracy, and society
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Strong analytic, writing, and speaking skills in English
• Excellent organizational skills and attentiveness to detail, experience with program management or event planning preferred
• Knowledge of or demonstrable interest in issues of transatlantic democratic backsliding and civil military relations
• Graduated by spring of 2026 with a bachelor's degree in international relations, political science, history, security studies, or a related field (this requirement is more flexible if the applicant is a military veteran)
• Demonstrable research skills, preferably with research experience on issues related to democratic backsliding, civil-military relations, and/or national security issues.
• Previous experience in a think tank, foundation, NGO, government body, media outlet, or similar organization preferred but not required
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Comfortable multi-tasking and working independently

Start and Length of Traineeship:

• Preferred start and end: June 2026 – September 2026
• Preferred time commitment: 20-30 hours per week, Monday–Friday between 9 AM to 5 PM (EST preferred)
• Due to a high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

GMF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.