All who are selected to participate in CFR’s Blavatnik Internship Program and Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program receive training in the field of foreign policy and international affairs as well as skills training in writing, research, program planning and much more.

Each year, the chiefs of staff of the Army and the Air Force, the chief of naval operations, and the commandants of the Coast Guard and the Marine Corps nominate an outstanding officer from their respective services as a candidate for a Military Fellowship. CFR usually awards five fellowships annually. In addition to our Military Fellowship the National Intelligence Fellowship provides an opportunity for an outstanding senior intelligence officer to participate in and contribute to CFR activities and events. The intern for this team will provide essential support to research projects for each fellow.   

CFR internships are paid, require a 14 - 18 hour commitment, and are filled on a rolling basis.

Please note that all internships are offered on a hybrid (half in the office, half remote) or fully remote basis. All internships are paid positions (no exceptions can be made on this). As such, all interns must have the legal right to work in the United States and be based in the United States for the duration of the internship.

• Perform research in line with the focus of the fellows.
• Tracking news related to the work of the fellows.
• Provide administrative assistance where needed.
• Write and edit where needed.

• Undergraduate student majoring in international relations, security studies, intelligence, political science, or related field.
• Students should have completed the equivalent of four semesters of college coursework (not including AP classes in high school) by the time they begin an internship.
• Veteran/ military experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Good organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong writing skills.
• Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, or Farsi language proficiency preferred but not required.

Pay Rate

$17.50 per hour

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is a leading nonprofit membership organization, research center, and publisher, with headquarters in New York, an office in Washington, DC, and programs nationwide. It is dedicated to increasing America's understanding of the world and contributing ideas to U.S. foreign policy. CFR's 5,000+ members are leaders in international affairs and foreign policy. CFR also publishes Foreign Affairs, the preeminent magazine on global issues, and provides up-to-date information about the world and U.S. foreign policy on its award-winning website, CFR.org.

CFR’s Internship Program is made possible through the generous support of the Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Robina Foundation, CFR members, and the family and friends of Franklin Williams.

The Council on Foreign Relations is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Quality, diversity, and balance are the key objectives sought by the Council on Foreign Relations in the composition of its workforce.