The Migration Policy Institute is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank based in Washington, DC, and dedicated to the study of migration worldwide. The Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program, named in honor of MPI’s founding president, has trained more than 400 future global migration scholars, policy analysts, and communicators, many of whom are now leaders in the field.
MPI’s internship program has two goals:
- Harnessing the valuable contributions of interns for MPI’s work
- Training the next generation of migration leaders.
The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) invites aspiring scholars to join the Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program, an enriching internship opportunity dedicated to the study of global migration.
Internships are available both in person and remotely, as well as to those residing outside the United States.
Program Details
- Location: Washington, DC, with options for remote internships and international applicants.
- Duration: Four months, with cycles in Spring, Summer, and Fall.
- Application Deadlines:
- March 1 – Summer Semester (May – August)
- July 1 – Fall Semester (September – December)
- Early applications are encouraged
- Internships are available on both a full- and part-time basis (with full-time sought for U.S. Immigrant Integration and Communications).
- A $1,400 biweekly stipend is offered to full-time interns and a prorated stipend is available for part-time interns. Students also may arrange to obtain credit for their work. MPI does not cover relocation expenses.
- Internships can be remote or in person.
- Applicants do not need not be a U.S. citizen to apply;
- However, all applicants must be authorized to work in the United States before the internship begins, unless they reside and work from outside the United States throughout the internship cycle.
- Since MPI is not designated by the U.S. Department of State to be an exchange visitor sponsor, the Institute cannot provide the supporting documents to apply for foreign worker (H-1B), exchange visitor (J-1), trainee (H-3), or foreign student (F-1) visas.
Internship Tracks
- Research Internships
- U.S. Immigration: Tracking and analysis of policies relating to asylum and refugee pathways, border management, immigration enforcement, legal immigration (temporary and permanent), legal status for unauthorized immigrants, and employment outcomes of highly educated immigrants; analysis of immigration, demographic, and economic trends; development of proposals for policy reform.
- International Migration: Comparative analysis of immigration and integration policies in the areas of refugee resettlement and asylum, immigrant integration policies (including labor market integration and social cohesion), labor migration, borders and mobility, migration and development, and returns and reintegration.
- U.S. Immigrant Integration: Issues related to early childhood education and care; Dual Language Learners and English Learners; K-12 immigrant education; adult education, training, and workforce development; state and local immigration/integration policy and services; and language access policy. (Full-time internship preferred.)
- Latin America and Caribbean Initiative: Assessing policy responses to mixed migration flows, with a focus on northern Central America and Venezuela; evaluating migration management systems in key host countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia; reviewing legal migration pathways within and outside Latin America; tracking regional and international development policies; and identifying integration challenges and opportunities in education, health care, labor markets, and community building. (Written proficiency and oral fluency in Spanish are required.)
Research Interns engage in quantitative and qualitative research, policy analysis, and contribute to MPI’s research efforts.
- Communications Internships: The Communications Intern works on marketing, media tracking, social media, and similar duties, and at times with the Migration Information Source, MPI’s award-winning online journal. Strong editorial, social media, and multimedia skills are required for this full-time internship. Duties may include:
- Crafting digital campaigns and visuals
- Tracking media mentions and identifying news outlets for targeted outreach
- Assisting in the dissemination of publications
- Editing audio and video
- Researching potential authors and topics
- Assisting with planning and supporting private and public events and meetings.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be at least a junior in college. Current students, college graduates, graduate students, and early-career professionals are welcome to apply
- Those without college experience but who can demonstrate substantial relevant work experience will also be considered.
- Possess excellent oral and written communication skills
- Be able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Foreign language skills and proficiency in Office and other software programs prove helpful for certain projects, as do strong quantitative skills.
- Minority applicants and/or applicants from immigrant or refugee backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should fill out this online form and separately send to internshipapplications@migrationpolicy.org the following materials:
- CV/Resume
- Cover letter describing your interest and research experience in migration and/or public policy issues. Also, please include the following:
- The approximate dates you are available to start and finish
- Whether you are available to intern full- or part-time
- The MPI program area(s) you are interested in
- A writing sample that showcases your ability to write clearly and analytically about migration, migrant/refugee integration, or another public policy issue (up to five pages)
- A transcript (either official or unofficial) from all colleges/universities that you have attended that shows classes you have taken along with class grades
- A telephone number where you can be reached.
Electronic submissions are strongly preferred. However, hard copies can be mailed to:
Director of MPI’s Internship Program
Migration Policy Institute
1275 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
For more information, contact internship@migrationpolicy.org
Join MPI’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion, and embark on a journey to shape the future of migration research and policy.
