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The Internship Program

The Brief

BPC offers paid internships during the Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. This gives students a chance to work in Washington, D.C. alongside its policy experts and across a range of different issue areas. Throughout the internship program, students get a chance to deeply engage with policy research, attend BPC and other local events, and witness policy development in the nation’s capital.

Bipartisanship is the only way forward. At the Bipartisan Policy Center, we take views from both parties and come together to find solutions. We take a similar collaborative approach to our internship program. The program is tailored to meet the goals of each intern in their professional and personal development. We allow significant input from the intern to create an internship experience that is both memorable and educational.

Interns that work with BPC’s various teams will have the opportunity to see bipartisanship in action. Interns see in real-time how people from both sides of the political spectrum work together to take the best ideas of both parties to create even better-lasting policies.

Inclusivity is both a core value and strategic strength. We invite anyone who wants to champion bipartisanship, regardless of their politics, demographics, identity of circumstance to join us. We extend this belief to our internship program, where we welcome all and respect those from different backgrounds.

At the Bipartisan Policy Center, we strive to create a holistic internship experience. We created a program that is conducive to the intern’s goals and provides a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. In addition to working with BPC’s various topic areas, the internship offers exposure to the policy-making process and the functions of a think tank, as well as a variety of professional development and networking opportunities with staff and other interns throughout the DC area.

Semester Programs
Interns will be working with a specific BPC project or functional area. Interns must be rising juniors or above, or graduate students, or recent graduates. Interns will provide administrative support, assist with events and meetings, conduct research, and assist with the development and writing of reports, white papers, and proposals. While interns work closely with their project teams, there are also opportunities to learn from and be exposed to the wide range of issues addressed by the organization.

BPC semester programs are flexible, allowing students to gain valuable experience while maintaining their regular class schedules.

Fall/Spring Program
During the fall and spring semesters, internships are part-time and paid, and will receive a stipend of $3,000. Applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program or be a recent graduate. Fall and spring internship hours are flexible, but interns average 18-20 hours/per week, allowing students to gain valuable experience while maintaining their regular class schedule. Interns will provide functional support, conduct research, and work directly with project analysts and staff in various capacities.

Summer Programs
BPC has a robust summer program. Interns work full time and will receive a $6,000 stipend for ten weeks of work. Interns must be rising juniors or above. Applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate program, or a recent graduate. Interns will provide functional support, conduct research, and work directly with project analysts and staff in various capacities.

Note: Our internship program is virtual with the option to come into our DC office. We are currently coming into the office three times a week. Each semester, each of the listed project and functional areas have internship(s) available. There are times when teams may have the capacity for more than one, but that is considered on a case-by-case basis. Below is a comprehensive list of our projects/departments that offer internships at the Bipartisan Policy Center

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2018 Summer Intern Katie Hancock at Mount Rushmore wearing her BPC Summer Internship shirt

  • The Fall semester postings will be live on the BPC Careers page on June 5th.
  • The Spring semester postings will be live on the BPC Careers page on September 18th.
  • The Summer semester postings will be live on the BPC Careers page on January 29th.
  • Application Open Dates
    • The Fall semester postings will be live on the BPC Careers page on June 5th.
    • The Spring semester postings will be live on the BPC Careers page on September 18th.
    • The Summer semester postings will be live on the BPC Careers page on January 29th.
  • Application Deadlines

    Summer internships: March 1st 

  • Application Process

    Please submit all required materials via the BPC Careers page.

    Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until a qualified candidate has been identified. Please send an application for every internship you are interested in. Please do not send multiple submissions to the same internship. Incomplete applications and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Due to the number of applications received, we are unable to contact those who have not been selected for an internship. No phone calls, please. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply but must have a valid work permit or visa verifying eligibility to work in the United States. We do not offer visa sponsorship.

  • Required Materials (in one PDF file)

    Cover Letter tailored to the team(s) you are applying for

    Resume

    College or university transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

    Phone and email contact information for two professional references, including a professor or other individual familiar with your work

    Brief response to our Diversity statement on what it means to you (5-8 sentences)

    2-3 page writing sample

Robert F. Bennett Internship Award

The Robert F. Bennett Award was established in 2016 in memory of a consummate legislator who served Utah and the nation with tremendous distinction for three terms in the United States Senate. Following his tenure in public office, he made invaluable contributions to the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) as a senior fellow as well as the law firm Arent Fox as a senior policy advisor.

The award will be presented each summer to one or two BPC interns and Arent Fox summer associate(s) who best exemplify Senator Bennett’s commitment to public service and desire to make a difference.

BPC will present a $1,500 award to each recipient. BPC’s Selection Committee will comprise a cross-section of BPC management, senior fellows and project directors.

BPC and Arent Fox will host a joint end-of-summer luncheon to honor the career of Senator Bennett and recognize the award winners

FAQs

BPC Diversity Statement

The Bipartisan Policy Center defines diversity as the range of human qualities that make us unique as individuals, including—but not limited to—age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression, geographic location, nationality, political philosophy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

To celebrate diversity and ensure equity and inclusivity, BPC is committed to:

  • Recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce with insights and solutions for our increasingly divided society.
  • Creating a workplace culture where all employees feel valued and their perspectives are heard.
  • Developing policy solutions and undertaking research that reflect a diversity of thought and experience.

These commitments will help us to fulfill our mission and foster bipartisanship more effectively.

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