KIP Spring 2027 - Government Affairs Intern - Competitive Enterprise Institute

About Competitive Enterprise Institute:
 
The Competitive Enterprise Institute is a nonprofit think tank based in Washington which focuses on critical economic and regulatory policy issues.
 
CEI’s internship program provides interested students and recent graduates the opportunity to learn about and promote the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty. A CEI internship gives applicants the opportunity to work alongside some of the most prominent regulatory affairs scholars and policy specialists.
 
CEI offers a number of internships across the various policy areas we work on, as well as internships in communications and marketing. Generally, CEI’s policy interns are assigned to work with a specific CEI expert for the duration of their internship; and our communications and marketing interns work with the CEI staff of each respective team.
 
CEI’s internship program is an invaluable educational experience. We work with interns to help them grow professionally, hone their skills, and cultivate lasting relationships. Ultimately, our goal is to give interns work that will help them further their careers. Interns are encouraged to be proactive, and exceptional interns are often given the freedom to shape their experience with us and the possibility to explore other opportunities at CEI.
 
Past CEI interns have gone on to work in the executive and legislative branches, federal regulatory agencies, academia, and at prominent research institutions and think tanks. A number of current CEI staff are former CEI interns.
 
You can find out more about CEI here and learn about our history here. You can see our team of experts here, and see some of our work here and here.
 
Government Affairs Intern:
Government Affairs interns are assigned to work with CEI’s government affairs manager. Interns will have the opportunity to assist with CEI’s legislative and regulatory affairs outreach, track bills and rules, attend Congressional hearings or agency meetings, monitor policy news, and help prepare briefing materials. There may be opportunities for policy research and writing as well. 
 
Qualifications:
Applicants must have a strong interest in policy and politics, capitalism and economics, and libertarian/conservative principles. Applicants must have strong research, writing, and organizational skills. Applicants must possess a professional demeanor and the ability to handle confidential and private information. Applicants should be able to work independently, effectively, and efficiently. A basic understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is a must.
 
CEI also seeks interns to work on policy/research, marketing - and from time to time, philanthropy/fundraising, government affairs, events, litigation, and IT. During the interview, we would be more than happy to discuss these other opportunities if they are available and of interest to you!
 
This role is in person, in Washington, D.C.

Stand Together Fellowships believes that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. Our admissions office treats all program participants and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of color, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Stand Together Fellowships pays participants a stipend of either $7,500 for full-time participants working approximately 32 hours per week at the partner organization, or $5,500 for part-time participants working approximately 24 hours per week at the partner organization. Attending the entirety of the online and on-site KIP programming is required for both full and part-time participants.