Intern - Defense Budget Analysis Program (Spring/Summer 2026)

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Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Posted 3 months ago

Internship

Washington, District of Columbia

In Person

Smart Summary

Responsibilities

The intern will conduct research, literature reviews, and data analysis to support reports on defense spending and military force structure. Additionally, they will provide administrative support for meetings, conferences, and legislative tracking.

Qualifications

You have experience analyzing U.S. and/or international defense budgets, defense acquisition, or national security. You possess strong writing, organizational, and communication skills, and ideally have statistical and quantitative analysis skills.

Must Have Skills for ATS

defense budgets

defense acquisition

statistical analysis

quantitative analysis

Mandarin

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:   The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity.  Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 250 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.   The CSIS Defense Budget Analysis Program is seeking an intern to support its research and administrative needs. The Defense Budget Analysis Program explores trends in the overall defense budget, military readiness, force structure, defense acquisitions, and military compensation in a broader effort to assess the alignment of the country’s defense strategy and its resources.   The hired candidate will be paid hourly, commensurate with experience ($18.00/hour for current undergraduate hires, $19.00/hour for hires with a bachelor’s degree, and $20.00/hour for hires with a master’s degree).   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Essential functions include but are not limited to the following:   RESEARCH AND WRITING (70%) • Conduct literature reviews, and compile and analyze data for ongoing research projects; • Provide other research, writing, and editing support for various reports and documents; • Support written products through background research, copy-editing, and editing citations as necessary; • Collaborate with and support multiple staff members on different research projects on topics including U.S. and international defense spending, defense acquisition and the industrial base, military force structure, and security cooperation.   ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES (30%) • Assist in preparation for meetings, private and public events, and conferences; • Tracking relevant legislation and public announcements in the defense funding sector; • Perform ad hoc requests and other duties as necessary in support of staff members.   KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE:   • Either currently enrolled in a master’s or Ph.D. program; or has recently graduated with a B.A., B.S., M.A., Ph.D. or equivalent; • Interest or experience analyzing U.S. and/or international defense budgets, defense acquisition and the industrial base, or national security; • Excellent record in an academic or research environment; • Strong writing, organizational, communication, and time management skills; • Ability to work independently; • Preference for applicants with statistical and quantitative analysis skills; • Mandarin language skills are a plus, though not required. • Eligible to work in the United States.    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS:   The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.   Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.   Equal Opportunity Employer.     HOW TO APPLY:   Interested applicants should submit a single combined PDF of their résumé, cover letter, and writing sample (2-5 pages). Applications which are not submitted as a single combined PDF will not be considered.    To submit an application for this position, click the “Apply” button below, and you will be redirected to our secure recruitment portal.

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Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

Established in Washington, D.C., over 60 years ago, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions to help decisionmakers chart a course toward a better world. Founded in 1962 by David M. Abshire and Admiral Arleigh Burke, CSIS is one of the world’s preeminent international policy institutions focused on defense and security; geoeconomics and technology; Asia and other regional studies; and transnational challenges ranging from energy and climate to global health policy and food & water security. For nine consecutive years, CSIS was named the world's number one think tank for international security by the University of Pennsylvania's “Go To Think Tank Index.” The Center’s over 275 full-time staff and large network of affiliated scholars conduct research and analysis and develop policy initiatives that look to the future and anticipate change. CSIS is regularly called upon by Congress, the executive branch, the media, and others to explain the day’s events and offer recommendations to improve U.S. strategy. In late 2015, Thomas J. Pritzker was named chairman of the CSIS Board of Trustees. Mr. Pritzker succeeded former U.S. senator Sam Nunn (D-GA), who chaired the CSIS Board of Trustees from 1999 to 2015. CSIS is led by John J. Hamre, who has served as president and chief executive officer since 2000. Twitter: cs.is/U4RJEq LinkedIn: cs.is/33W0gX8 Instagram: cs.is/2ZbBTkF Threads: cs.is/3vamuH2 YouTube: cs.is/2TKVQ0k Podcasts: cs.is/2NuWcaD
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