Heritage Foundation Leadership for America

The Heritage Foundation Internship Program
"Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow"
Established 1979

The Heritage Foundation Internship Program attracts young conservative leaders of the highest caliber. Our paid interns have real jobs, acquire policy expertise, build marketable skills, enhance their resumes, attend events where they can meet and talk with the nation's leading policy-makers, and make friends with their conservative peers.

Specifically, our interns work with Heritage experts in such areas as homeland security, tax and budget, communications, religion and civil society, the rule of law, and foreign affairs. Depending on the specific assignment, interns hone their research and writing skills to produce succinct work products of the type used by government decision-makers. Additionally, for young entrepreneurs interested in learning management skills, Heritage offers the opportunity to work in fundraising, donor and government relations, information systems, marketing, and online communications.

In addition, our interns attend weekly briefings with top Heritage scholars and outside policy experts, participate in reading groups, attend lectures by prominent authors, and take part in internal policy discussions. Many interns have reported that these conversations helped them gain confidence in their ability to persuade others - even veteran analysts - of the validity of their ideas. And, Heritage provides the opportunity to meet Supreme Court Justices, Members of Congress and the administration, and distinguished visiting dignitaries.

Interns also have the opportunity to acquire more practical skills through a variety of forums. For example, an etiquette luncheon reveals which plate is your bread plate; a resume workshop helps you hone that all-important document; a writing session offers helpful tips for professional communication; and other seminars teach nuts-and-bolts networking skills such as the art of writing a sincere thank you note.

Previous intern classes have toured the White House, the United States Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress, the Pentagon, and Mount Vernon, as well as enjoyed the camaraderie of shared meals with fellow interns. Past interns have also had opportunities for small group meetings with conservative leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.

In sum, interns work together with Heritage staff to build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.

Call (202) 546-4400 for more information, or click here for application details.

Johnson Building Intern Housing information

Graduate Level Fellowships
Offered at The Heritage Foundation

Religion and Civil Society Fellowship

Health Policy (Graduate)Fellowship

Harvard Graduate Fellowship in Health Policy

Fellowship in American Studies