Are you interested in digital policy, online information integrity, platform regulation, law, and public policy? CheckFirst is inviting applications for a Policy Intern to support its ongoing work aimed at strengthening online information integrity and addressing emerging challenges in the digital information environment.

This remote internship provides an opportunity for an early-career candidate to gain practical experience in policy research, legal and regulatory analysis, project support, and report preparation, while receiving mentorship from experienced professionals working at the intersection of law, policy, and digital regulation.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

About CheckFirst

CheckFirst works in the area of online information integrity and supports partners and decision-makers in navigating the increasingly complex digital information ecosystem.

The organisation works to equip decision-makers and partners with solutions for addressing online harms and challenges associated with digital information.

For the Policy Intern, this creates an opportunity to gain exposure to important policy questions surrounding the regulation of digital platforms and online spaces, particularly within the European Union.

About the Policy Internship

The Policy Intern will work closely with CheckFirst’s Chief Policy Officer and receive mentorship on approaching legal, policy, and governance questions related to digital regulation.

The internship is particularly relevant for candidates interested in areas such as:

• Digital policy
• Public policy
• Law and regulation
• Technology policy
• Platform regulation
• Online harms
• Information integrity
• European Union digital regulation
• Digital governance
• Policy research and analysis

The intern will contribute to ongoing projects while developing practical skills in research, analysis, writing, project support, and policy communication.

Key Responsibilities

The successful intern will support the organisation across several areas.

1. Legal, Policy and Regulatory Research

The intern will conduct desk research on legal, policy, and regulatory questions connected to:

• Online harms
• Threats to online information integrity
• Digital regulation
• Platform regulation
• Relevant legal and governance developments

This responsibility provides an opportunity to develop the ability to identify relevant information, assess policy developments, and communicate findings effectively.

2. Monitoring Digital Policy Developments

The intern will monitor developments in policies and regulations concerning online harms and digital regulation.

This may involve keeping track of changes in the regulatory environment and identifying developments that are relevant to CheckFirst’s projects.

3. Preparing Briefings and Background Materials

The intern will help prepare:

• Short summaries
• Policy briefings
• Background notes
• Research outputs
• Other materials required by the policy team

This will help the successful candidate develop the ability to transform complex information into clear and accessible written materials.

4. Report and Presentation Support

The intern will assist with drafting and editing:

• Reports
• Presentations
• Policy-related documents
• Other communications materials

Strong writing and editing skills will therefore be important for this role.

5. Project Management and Databases

The intern will also support project management activities and help maintain internal databases associated with specific projects.

This means the position is not limited to research; it also provides exposure to organisational and project-management processes.

Candidate Profile

CheckFirst is looking for someone who is detail-oriented, reliable and comfortable working with complex policy material.

The ideal applicant should be able to work independently while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

Educational Background

Candidates with an academic background in one or more of the following areas are particularly relevant:

• Law
• Public policy
• Political science
• Technology policy
• Related disciplines

The opportunity may therefore be particularly suitable for students, recent graduates, or early-career professionals whose academic or professional interests align with digital regulation and policy.

Required Skills and Qualities

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Excellent written English
• Excellent spoken English
• Strong research skills
• Strong analytical abilities
• Ability to summarise complex legal and policy developments clearly
• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work independently
• Reliability and careful working habits

Additional Knowledge That Would Be an Advantage

Familiarity with the following would strengthen an application:

• The Digital Services Act (DSA)
• European Union institutions
• EU digital regulation
• Digital policy
• Online harms
• Platform regulation

These are listed as advantages rather than mandatory requirements.

What the Internship Offers

The Policy Intern position provides several forms of professional development.

Practical Policy Experience

The intern will gain practical experience in:

• Policy research
• Legal and regulatory analysis
• Report preparation
• Policy writing
• Research communication
• Project support

Mentorship

The successful candidate will work closely with the Chief Policy Officer and receive mentorship from experienced professionals.

This can provide valuable insight into how legal, policy, and governance questions are approached in the digital regulation sector.

Exposure to EU Digital Policy

The internship offers the opportunity to explore a major and rapidly developing area of public policy: digital regulation in the European Union.

The successful candidate can gain a deeper understanding of issues involving online platforms, information integrity and online harms.

Supportive Learning Environment

CheckFirst describes the internship as an environment where interns can learn how to:

• Approach complicated policy questions
• Conduct effective research
• Analyse policy developments
• Communicate findings clearly
• Contribute to professional policy outputs

Internship Details

The duration, start date and other practical arrangements may be adjusted depending on the candidate’s availability and profile.

Who Can Apply?

The most important eligibility requirement regarding location is that applicants must be based in the European Union and must be able to undertake the internship lawfully.

The source does not specify a particular nationality, race, or citizenship requirement. Therefore, the opportunity should not be described as being restricted to a particular nationality or ethnic group.

However, simply being from a non-EU country does not automatically establish eligibility. The stated requirement is that the applicant must be based in the EU and be legally able to undertake the internship.

                                                  Learn More About This Opportunity HERE

Ideal Applicants

The opportunity is particularly relevant to people with backgrounds or interests in:

• Law
• Public policy
• Political science
• Technology policy
• Digital regulation
• European affairs
• Platform governance
• Online information integrity
• Online harms
• Regulatory research

Duration and Working Commitment

The internship has a minimum duration of six months.

Applicants are expected to commit at least three days per week.

The internship is scheduled to begin from September 2026 onwards, although the exact start arrangements may depend on the candidate’s availability and profile.

Compensation

The Policy Intern position offers compensation starting from €500.

The source notes that practical details may be adjusted depending on the candidate’s availability and profile.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should prepare the following two documents:

1. Short CV

Applicants should submit a CV of no more than two pages highlighting their relevant experience.

The CV should focus on experiences, education, skills and activities that demonstrate suitability for policy research and digital regulation.

2. Brief Cover Letter

Applicants should also provide a brief cover letter explaining:

• Why they are interested in the Policy Intern position
• Their relevant academic background
• Their relevant professional or extracurricular experience
• Their interest in digital policy and regulation
• Why they would be suitable for the role

Where to Send the Application

Applications should be sent by email to:

policy@checkfirst.network

Applicants should use the following subject line:

Application Deadline

There is no fixed application deadline stated for this internship.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and CheckFirst encourages candidates to apply early.

This means applicants should not wait for a specific closing date before submitting their applications, as positions may progress during the rolling recruitment process.

How to Strengthen Your Application

Although the organisation does not provide a specific application template, applicants can make their materials stronger by clearly connecting their background to the responsibilities of the role.

Highlight relevant research experience

If you have conducted academic, professional, volunteer, or independent research involving law, policy, technology or digital issues, make this clear in your CV.

Demonstrate analytical ability

Give examples showing that you can:

• Analyse complex information
• Identify important issues
• Compare different perspectives
• Summarise findings
• Produce clear written outputs

Show interest in digital regulation

Applicants familiar with European digital regulation, the Digital Services Act, online harms or information integrity should highlight this knowledge.

Keep the CV focused

Because the CV is limited to two pages, applicants should prioritise the most relevant education, experience, research, publications, projects and skills.

Tailor the cover letter

Avoid submitting a generic cover letter. Explain specifically why you are interested in CheckFirst, digital policy, online information integrity and the Policy Intern position.

Important Points to Remember

Before submitting an application, candidates should ensure that they:

1. Are based in the European Union.
2. Can legally undertake the internship.
3. Can commit to at least three days per week.
4. Are available for a minimum of six months.
5. Can potentially start from September 2026 onwards.
6. Prepare a CV of no more than two pages.
7. Prepare a brief, targeted cover letter.
8. Send the application to policy@checkfirst.network.
9. Use the subject line “Application for Policy Intern.”
10. Apply early because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Conclusion

The CheckFirst Policy Intern opportunity offers EU-based candidates an opportunity to gain practical experience in one of the most important emerging areas of public policy: digital regulation and online information integrity.

Through research, policy monitoring, briefing preparation, report writing and project support, the successful intern will develop practical skills while receiving mentorship from experienced professionals. The remote structure, minimum three-day-per-week commitment and six-month duration also provide a potentially valuable pathway for candidates seeking to build experience in law, public policy, technology policy and EU digital regulation.

Since applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and no fixed deadline is stated, eligible candidates are encouraged to prepare their documents and submit their applications as early as possible.

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