Research Internship, The Hamilton Project

Summer 2026, Research Internship, The Hamilton Project, Economic Studies
(Job ID 2025-3768)

Overview
Interns spend approximately 12 weeks working alongside leading experts in government and academia from all over the world. Brookings also offers students the opportunity to intern in departments such as communications, human resources and central operations management. The mission of the Internship Program is to provide students with a pre-professional learning experience that offers meaningful, practical work experience related to their field of study or career interest. Students engage in career exploration and development as well as learn new skills. 

Interns will have the opportunity to attend meetings, think tank events, professional development workshops, and public Brookings events.  In addition, interns will have the opportunity to network with other interns throughout the Institution. 

This internship is an opportunity for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year and graduate students pursuing a master’s degree with an interest in economics to apply principles and theory learned in the classroom in a professional environment. PhD students are not eligible for internships; please visit our Careers page for current open positions. This internship pays an hourly rate of $18.00, and applicants must be willing to commit to a minimum number of hours per week (no less than 30 hours per week, during regular business hours), with some flexibility around an academic course schedule (full-time availability preferred). Availability to work a hybrid schedule based in our Washington, DC offices strongly preferred.

To learn more about Brookings research programs, click here. 

Position Location: This is a hybrid opportunity. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC, office with the option of remote work. Remote work applicants may not work from the following states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Please only apply if you can live and work in states other than those listed above for the duration of the internship. 

Responsibilities

The Hamilton Project (THP) at the Brookings Institution produces research and policy proposals on how to create a growing economy that benefits more Americans. Our economic strategy reflects a judgment that long term prosperity is best achieved by making economic growth broad-based, by enhancing individual economic security, and by embracing a role for effective government in making needed public investments. THP focuses on a broad range of topics in macroeconomics and applied microeconomics with economy policy relevance. Current and recent projects include papers on tax reform, the macroeconomic and fiscal consequences of immigration, gaps in the social insurance system, policies to strengthen the labor market and enhance wage growth, and policies to support communities’ economic development. Visit www.hamiltonproject.org for more information.

Hamilton Project interns will gain exposure to a broad set of policy topics while developing their analytical thinking and writing skills. Applicants should expect a range of responsibilities, broadly defined under the following categories:

General research and writing
Interns will assist with short-term research and other projects. Examples include research for policy memos, blog posts, or other Hamilton Project work products. In addition, interns will be expected to analyze data and create graphs for the Hamilton Project economic analyses, policy memos, presentations and other items.

Long-term research
Working with the Hamilton Project policy team, interns will help research potential topics and authors for future Hamilton Project work.

Event staffing
Interns may help prepare materials for events and work at various aspects of the event, such as registration.

Qualifications

Education/Knowledge/Skills:
Undergraduate students in their junior year or senior year, recent college graduates applying no more than one year from graduation, or graduate students pursuing a masters degree who are majoring in economics, public policy, or in related fields including statistics and data science. Students should have strong writing and analytical skills, including proficiency in R or STATA. A successful applicant will have a strong team work ethic and a belief that no task is too big or too small.

Additional Information: 
This internship requires you to be located in the U.S. for the duration of the internship. 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for interning at Brookings. 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please submit your resume as instructed and include your cover letter as a separate attachment when you apply. You are required to submit/attach a separate cover letter for each internship application. Your cover letter should highlight your educational experience and skills, along with an explanation of how this internship will contribute to your professional goals. Please address your cover letter to Hiring Manager.  

If selected as a finalist for the internship, you will be required to submit two letters of recommendation or provide two professional references.   

Please note: Applications will be accepted until February 22, 2026. Applications not completed and submitted by the application deadline date will not be considered. Your application is considered complete when you receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted. 

As you are applying, please be sure to click here to learn more about the Brookings Internship Program, deadlines, and directions on how to successfully submit your internship application(s). 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.