Students and recent graduates passionate about international affairs, foreign policy, nonprofit work, communications, and advocacy now have an exciting opportunity to gain meaningful professional experience through the Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas (CEDA) Fall 2026 Paid Internship Program.

This fully remote internship offers participants the opportunity to work directly with experienced policy professionals while contributing to projects that strengthen engagement between the United States and countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. Interns become active members of a nonprofit organization that works to influence public policy, strengthen international cooperation, and promote respectful dialogue throughout the Americas.

Unlike many internships that focus primarily on observation, the CEDA internship places interns in meaningful roles where they contribute to research, communications, advocacy initiatives, policy analysis, and nonprofit operations. Participants receive mentorship from experienced staff while developing practical workplace skills that prepare them for careers in government, international organizations, journalism, nonprofit leadership, communications, public policy, and academia.

Applications for the Fall 2026 Internship are currently open.

Application Deadline: August 2, 2026.

About CEDA

The Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas (CEDA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting constructive and respectful engagement between the United States and countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

CEDA works to:

• Promote informed public dialogue
• Advocate for thoughtful foreign policy
• Build partnerships across borders
• Support engagement rather than isolation
• Inform policymakers through research and communications

Its work focuses particularly on issues affecting:

• Cuba
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Venezuela
• Latin America
• The Caribbean

The organization collaborates with policymakers, members of Congress, researchers, journalists, nonprofit organizations, and international stakeholders to advance engagement-based approaches to regional issues.

Why Consider the CEDA Internship?

The CEDA internship provides far more than a traditional internship experience.

Interns become integrated into the daily work of the organization, contributing to projects that have real-world policy impact while learning directly from experienced professionals.

Former CEDA interns have gone on to become:

• Congressional aides
• Journalists
• Lawyers
• Researchers
• Academics
• Public policy professionals
• Members of CEDA’s permanent staff

This internship is an excellent stepping stone for individuals pursuing careers in:

• International Relations
• Political Science
• Foreign Policy
• Public Administration
• Communications
• Journalism
• International Development
• Human Rights
• Nonprofit Management
• Advocacy
• Government Affairs

Internship Areas

Interns work across three primary departments within the organization.

1. Policy and Advocacy

Participants help monitor policy developments affecting Latin America and the Caribbean while supporting CEDA’s advocacy initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitoring legislative developments
• Researching foreign policy topics
• Writing policy summaries
• Preparing congressional briefings
• Assisting with advocacy initiatives

2. Communications and Social Media

Interns support CEDA’s communications strategy by helping increase awareness of important policy developments and organizational activities.

Tasks may include:

• Developing digital content
• Creating social media campaigns
• Monitoring engagement metrics
• Designing graphics
• Managing online communications

3. Nonprofit Development

Interns gain valuable exposure to nonprofit operations by supporting fundraising and organizational development activities.

This includes:

• Administrative support
• Database management
• Email campaigns
• Contact management
• Organizational communications

Internship Responsibilities

Throughout the internship, participants work on meaningful assignments rather than simply observing staff.

Typical responsibilities include:

• Drafting and editing the US-Cuba News Brief
• Designing graphics using Canva
• Creating engaging social media content
• Monitoring and analyzing policy developments
• Writing policy summaries
• Updating the organization’s website
• Managing social media accounts
• Maintaining organizational databases
• Supporting email and direct mail campaigns
• Organizing contact lists
• Attending congressional hearings
• Participating in policy briefings
• Preparing written summaries of events
• Assisting with additional organizational projects as required

These responsibilities help interns build transferable professional skills that are valuable across both nonprofit and public sector careers.

Benefits of the Internship

Participants receive numerous professional and career development benefits, including:

• Paid internship at $18 per hour
• Fully remote work arrangement
• Flexible schedule of 15–25 hours per week
• Four months of professional experience
• Direct mentorship from experienced nonprofit professionals
• Hands-on policy research experience
• Practical advocacy experience
• Communications and digital marketing skills
• Exposure to nonprofit management
• Networking opportunities
• Experience working with congressional policy issues
• Academic credit documentation (where applicable)
• Portfolio-building opportunities
• Enhanced resume and career prospects

Internship Duration

The Fall Internship runs for:

• September through December 2026
• Duration: Four months

Interns should be available to work throughout the internship period.

Working Hours

Interns are expected to commit approximately:

• 15–25 hours per week

Applicants should have sufficient availability to work consistently during the internship period.

Internship Format

The internship is conducted entirely online.

Location: Fully Remote

This allows participants to work from anywhere within the United States, provided they are legally authorized to work there.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should meet the following requirements.

Required Qualifications

Candidates should:

• Be a current undergraduate student
• OR be a recent graduate
• OR be a Master’s student
• Have advanced Canva skills
• Have experience managing organizational social media platforms
• Have experience creating digital content
• Be interested in Latin America and the Caribbean
• Demonstrate interest in Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, or Venezuela
• Have working proficiency in Spanish
• Have strong Google Workspace skills
• Possess excellent organizational abilities
• Have strong written and verbal communication skills
• Be self-motivated
• Be capable of working independently in a remote environment
• Demonstrate professionalism and reliability
• Be adaptable and collaborative
• Be available to work throughout the internship period

Preferred Qualifications

Although not mandatory, the following qualifications are considered advantageous:

• Native Spanish fluency
• Fundraising experience
• Experience with Bloomerang
• Experience using Mailchimp
• Familiarity with Squarespace
• Graphic design experience beyond Canva
• Branding experience for nonprofit or advocacy organizations

CEDA’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

CEDA encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply and values the perspectives that individuals from different identities, communities, and experiences bring to the organization.

As an equal opportunity employer, CEDA does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy status, national origin, age, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The organization particularly encourages minority candidates to apply.

Application Process

Applicants should prepare one PDF document titled:

FirstName.LastName.pdf

The application should include:

Resume

Your resume should include at least:

• Two professional references
• Email addresses for each reference
• Phone numbers for each reference

Cover Letter

Your cover letter should explain:

• Why you want to intern with CEDA
• Your interest in Latin American and Caribbean foreign policy
• The skills and experience you would contribute
• Your availability during the internship

Optional Portfolio

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit examples of:

• Graphic design work
• Social media campaigns
• Digital content
• Videos
• Visuals
• Analytics summaries

Applications should be emailed to:

lydia@weareceda.org

Email Subject:

FirstName LastName – Fall 2026 Internship

Learn More

Important Application Deadlines

CEDA accepts internship applications throughout the year for different internship cycles.

• Summer Internship: March 30
• Fall Internship: August 2, 2026
• Spring Internship: December 14

Applicants interested in the Fall 2026 Internship should submit all application materials before August 2, 2026.

Why This Internship Stands Out

The CEDA Internship offers a unique combination of policy research, nonprofit operations, communications, advocacy, and professional mentorship.

Participants gain practical experience working on real policy issues affecting the Americas while developing valuable research, writing, communication, and organizational skills. The opportunity to work remotely while earning competitive hourly compensation makes this internship particularly attractive for students and recent graduates seeking meaningful experience in international affairs.

Conclusion

The CEDA Fall 2026 Paid Internship represents an outstanding opportunity for students and recent graduates who aspire to build careers in international relations, foreign policy, nonprofit leadership, communications, or advocacy. Through meaningful project work, professional mentorship, and hands-on experience, interns gain valuable insights into nonprofit operations and international engagement while contributing to policy discussions that shape relations across the Americas.

With competitive hourly pay, flexible remote work, and the opportunity to develop highly sought-after professional skills, this internship provides an excellent platform for launching a successful career in public policy and international affairs. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare their application materials early and submit them before the August 2, 2026 deadline.

Visit the OFY website for more Internship Opportunities.