Applications are now open for the American Academy of Diplomacy Spring 2027 Program & Communications Internship, an opportunity designed for students and recent graduates who want practical exposure to diplomacy, foreign affairs, communications and nonprofit management.

Based at the American Academy of Diplomacy, an organization whose membership includes former senior ambassadors and career diplomats, the programme offers an unusual opportunity to work closely with a small professional team while learning more about how diplomacy, foreign-policy engagement and nonprofit organizations function in practice.

Rather than limiting the intern to one narrow area of work, the Academy plans to involve the selected candidate across a wide range of organizational responsibilities. These include managing social-media accounts, helping implement events and meetings, communicating with Academy members, updating website content, maintaining contact lists, supporting professional staff and creating an independent project.

The Academy particularly encourages applications from a student or recent graduate with continuing education goals who has an interest in the Foreign Service, communications, nonprofit management or the broader practice of American diplomacy.

The internship requires a commitment of 20 to 40 hours per week, depending on the candidate’s availability. Applicants must also be able to participate for a minimum of 13 weeks. Candidates who cannot commit to at least 13 weeks will not be considered.

The programme is unpaid, although academic credit may be possible depending on the requirements of the participant’s school or university. The Academy reviews applications on a rolling basis, meaning interested candidates are encouraged to apply before the final deadline rather than waiting until the last day.

Application deadline: End of day on November 2, 2026.

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About the American Academy of Diplomacy

The American Academy of Diplomacy, commonly referred to as the Academy or AAD, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the resources and tools the United States brings to managing diplomatic challenges.

Its work is aimed at improving understanding of the importance of diplomacy and increasing the effectiveness of American engagement with the international community.

The Academy pursues this mission through activities such as:

• Targeted outreach programmes
• Policy proposals
• Publications
• Distinguished awards
• Professional engagement
• Discussions on diplomacy and foreign policy

An important feature of the organization is its membership. The Academy is composed of former senior ambassadors and career diplomats who bring extensive professional experience in the practice of diplomacy.

For an intern, this creates a professional environment that is quite different from a conventional university internship. The selected candidate may have opportunities to interact with people who have spent significant portions of their careers working directly on diplomatic negotiations, international relations, foreign-policy implementation and overseas representation.

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About the Spring 2027 Program & Communications Internship

The Academy is specifically looking for an individual interested in two connected areas:

1. The practice of American diplomacy; and
2. The internal workings of a nonprofit organization.

Because the Academy is a relatively small organization, it states that an intern can become an integral part of its core team.

This matters because internships at larger institutions can sometimes separate interns from central organizational work. At AAD, the selected intern is expected to contribute directly to the Academy’s regular communications, programme and administrative activities.

The opportunity may be especially relevant for students considering careers in:

• Diplomacy
• Foreign Service
• International affairs
• Strategic communications
• Public diplomacy
• Foreign-policy organizations
• Think tanks
• Nonprofit management
• Public policy
• Government affairs
• International relations
• Digital communications

However, the Academy does not require applicants to be enrolled in one specific academic major.

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What Will the Intern Do?

The internship combines communications, programme support, event assistance, digital content management and organizational administration.

Managing the Academy’s Social Media Accounts

One of the most significant responsibilities is helping manage the Academy’s social-media presence.

The Academy specifically prefers applicants who have previous organizational experience using platforms such as:

• X
• LinkedIn
• TikTok
• Instagram
• Facebook

Experience with social-media analytics is also considered valuable.

The selected intern may therefore be involved in activities such as preparing posts, promoting Academy publications, distributing articles written by Academy members, publicizing events and helping analyze audience engagement.

This could be especially useful for someone interested in digital diplomacy, strategic communications or public affairs, where institutions increasingly rely on social media to communicate policy ideas and professional expertise.

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Supporting the Distribution of Academy Members’ Published Work

The Academy notes that interns may assist with distributing articles written by its distinguished members.

This could provide experience in identifying appropriate digital channels, preparing concise promotional copy and presenting foreign-policy analysis to wider audiences.

The work may help the intern develop skills in:

• Editorial promotion
• Social-media writing
• Audience engagement
• Digital communications
• Content distribution

For students interested in journalism or public diplomacy, this part of the placement could provide valuable experience in translating substantive foreign-policy content into accessible public communications.

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Helping With Events and Meetings

The intern will also assist with the organization and implementation of Academy events and meetings.

This may involve helping professional staff prepare for:

• Committee meetings
• Board meetings
• Public events
• Member activities
• Policy discussions
• Other Academy programmes

The internship description specifically mentions assisting during committee and Board meetings as an example of the level of responsibility an intern may receive.

This means organizational ability and attention to detail will be important.

An intern may need to keep track of schedules, documents, participants, communications and follow-up tasks without constant supervision.

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Communicating With Academy Members

The selected intern will interact with Academy members as part of regular organizational operations.

Because the Academy’s membership includes experienced diplomats and former ambassadors, communication needs to be accurate and professional.

The Academy explicitly expects a successful intern to be detail-oriented enough to handle tasks such as sending member emails without constant guidance.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate an ability to communicate professionally through:

• Email
• Written correspondence
• Digital platforms
• Internal organizational communications

A strong command of written English is particularly important.

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Updating the Academy Website

The intern will help update content on the Academy’s website.

The Academy indicates that front-end Wix development experience is preferred, although it is not listed as an absolute requirement.

Applicants who already have experience using Wix may therefore have an advantage.

Candidates who have worked with other content-management systems may also have transferable experience. Examples could include:

• WordPress
• Squarespace
• Drupal
• Other web publishing systems

The role does not appear to require advanced software development. The emphasis is on front-end website and content-management capability.

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Managing Contact Lists

The intern will help manage organizational contact lists.

This can involve maintaining accurate information about:

• Academy members
• Event participants
• Professional contacts
• Mailing lists
• Other institutional stakeholders

Although this may appear to be a simple administrative responsibility, accurate database management is essential in a membership organization.

The Academy therefore emphasizes the importance of being detail-oriented.

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Supporting Professional Staff

The intern will provide broader support to the Academy’s professional staff.

Because the organization is small, interns may be exposed to several dimensions of nonprofit management at the same time.

This could help participants learn more about:

• Programme coordination
• Administrative systems
• Institutional communications
• Membership organizations
• Foreign-policy programming
• Event management
• Digital outreach

This broad exposure may be particularly useful for students who are still determining which professional path within international affairs most interests them.

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Create Your Own Project

Another notable component of the internship is the opportunity to create an independent project.

The Academy does not prescribe one specific project that every intern must complete.

This can potentially allow the selected participant to develop something that reflects both organizational priorities and their own professional interests.

Depending on discussions with the Academy, such a project could potentially involve subjects such as:

• Digital communications
• Diplomacy outreach
• Social-media strategy
• Membership engagement
• Website content
• Communications analytics
• Foreign-policy resources

Applicants should not assume that any particular project will automatically be approved, but thinking about a possible contribution before applying could strengthen an interview or cover letter.

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Mentorship and Professional Guidance

The Academy states that its Program and Finance Assistant will provide detailed guidance and constructive critique.

The purpose is to maximize the intern’s learning experience.

This means the programme is intended to have a developmental component rather than simply assigning administrative tasks without feedback.

A participant may therefore gain experience receiving professional critique and improving their work in areas such as:

• Writing
• Communications
• Organization
• Programme support
• Professional judgment

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Weekly Time Commitment

The intern is expected to devote:

20 to 40 hours per week

to the programme.

The precise weekly commitment can depend on the selected intern’s availability.

This gives some flexibility for students balancing the internship with academic responsibilities, although even the lower end of 20 hours per week represents a substantial professional commitment.

Candidates should therefore carefully consider their academic timetable before applying.

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Minimum Internship Duration

Applicants must be available for at least:

13 weeks.

This is a firm condition.

The Academy clearly states that applicants who cannot dedicate a minimum of 13 weeks to the programme will not be considered.

When applying, candidates should therefore ensure that their proposed start and end dates cover at least this period.

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Is the Internship Paid?

No.

The Spring 2027 Program & Communications Internship is unpaid.

The Academy explicitly states that participation is without compensation.

Applicants should therefore consider their financial circumstances before applying, particularly if participation would require:

• Transportation
• Housing
• Relocation
• Other living expenses

The announcement does not identify any stipend, travel support, accommodation allowance or relocation funding.

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Does the Internship Lead to Employment?

No employment is guaranteed.

The Academy specifically states that participating in the programme comes without an expectation of employment at the conclusion of the internship.

Applicants should therefore view this primarily as a learning and professional-development opportunity rather than a guaranteed pathway into a paid position at AAD.

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Academic Credit May Be Available

Although the internship is unpaid, academic credit may potentially be available.

Whether a student can obtain credit depends on the rules of their school or university.

Interested students should therefore consult their:

• Academic department
• Internship coordinator
• Career centre
• Faculty adviser

to determine whether the internship can count toward their academic programme.

The Academy itself does not guarantee that every institution will award credit.

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Requirements for a Successful Internship Experience

The Academy identifies several qualities and skills it considers important.

Interest in Nonprofit Work

Applicants should have a genuine interest in nonprofit organizations.

The Academy is not a government agency, although its subject matter is closely connected to diplomacy and foreign policy.

Understanding the difference between a nonprofit policy organization and a government department may help applicants explain their motivation more effectively.

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Interest in American Foreign Affairs or the Foreign Service

An interest in American foreign affairs and/or the U.S. Foreign Service is particularly desirable.

Candidates considering careers related to diplomacy may therefore find this programme especially relevant.

Relevant areas of academic or professional interest could include:

• International relations
• Political science
• Diplomacy
• Foreign policy
• Public policy
• Government
• History
• Communications
• International studies

The Academy does not, however, state that applicants must study one of these subjects.

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Previous Organizational Social Media Experience

The Academy prefers applicants who have experience managing social-media accounts for an organization.

Relevant experience could come from:

• A university society
• Student government
• A nonprofit organization
• A student newspaper
• A previous internship
• A volunteer organization
• A professional association
• A research centre

The preferred platforms include X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook.

Experience working with social-media analytics is also desirable.

Candidates should therefore mention if they have worked with metrics such as:

• Reach
• Engagement
• Impressions
• Click-through rates
• Audience growth
• Post performance

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Strong Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is one of the most important personal qualities emphasized by the Academy.

The intern may be trusted with activities such as member emails and Board or committee meeting support.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate that they are comfortable handling tasks where accuracy matters.

Examples might include:

• Managing mailing lists
• Editing publications
• Coordinating events
• Maintaining databases
• Preparing official correspondence

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Strong Writing Ability

Applicants should have strong writing skills and a firm command of:

• Grammar
• Spelling
• Syntax

Because the internship includes communications and website work, writing quality is likely to be assessed throughout the application process.

Candidates should therefore carefully proofread both their résumé and cover letter.

An application containing obvious grammatical or spelling errors could weaken an otherwise strong candidacy.

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Microsoft Office Proficiency

Applicants should be highly proficient in Microsoft Office.

The Academy specifically names:

• Word
• Access
• Excel
• PowerPoint

Candidates who have advanced skills in any of these programmes may want to describe them specifically rather than simply stating “Microsoft Office proficiency.”

Examples might include:

• Excel spreadsheet management
• PowerPoint presentation design
• Access database management
• Word document formatting

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Gmail and Google Apps

High proficiency with Gmail and Google Apps is preferred.

Relevant experience may include:

• Gmail
• Google Docs
• Google Sheets
• Google Drive
• Google Calendar
• Google Forms

Applicants who have managed collaborative projects through Google Workspace may wish to highlight this experience.

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Wix Experience

Front-end Wix development experience is preferred.

This requirement reflects the internship’s website-management responsibilities.

Applicants who have previously updated websites or designed pages using Wix should make this visible in their application.

Wix experience is described as preferred rather than mandatory.

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Ability to Work Independently

The Academy wants someone who can complete responsibilities without needing constant supervision.

This is particularly important because small nonprofit teams often require staff and interns to take ownership of tasks.

Candidates should be able to:

• Prioritize work
• Meet deadlines
• Ask appropriate questions
• Solve routine problems
• Complete assigned tasks independently

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Ability to Work as Part of a Team

At the same time, the selected candidate must be able to collaborate effectively.

The intern will work with professional staff and communicate with Academy members.

Strong teamwork and professional interpersonal skills will therefore be important.

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Friendly and Outgoing Personality

The Academy specifically states that it values someone who is:

• Friendly
• Outgoing
• Equipped with a good sense of humor

This indicates that interpersonal fit is considered important alongside technical skills.

The intern may interact with senior diplomats, Academy staff and other professional stakeholders, making confidence and professionalism useful qualities.

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Who Is Most Likely to Benefit From This Opportunity?

The internship may be especially valuable for students or recent graduates exploring careers in:

• Diplomacy
• Foreign Service
• International relations
• Foreign policy
• Public diplomacy
• Strategic communications
• International nonprofit organizations
• Think tanks
• Government relations
• Public affairs
• Programme management
• Digital communications

Someone interested in diplomacy but unsure whether they want to enter government service could also benefit from seeing how a nonprofit organization contributes to the foreign-policy ecosystem.

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Application Process

Applications are submitted directly by email.

Candidates must send:

• A résumé
• A cover letter

to:

academy@academyofdiplomacy.org

The email subject line must be:

Academy Internship Application

Applicants should also include in the email:

• Their schedule availability
• Tentative internship start date
• Tentative internship end date

The Academy asks applicants not to make phone calls regarding applications.

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Application Deadline

Applications must be received by:

End of day, November 2, 2026.

However, this should not be interpreted as a reason to wait until November.

The Academy reviews applications on a rolling basis and specifically encourages candidates to apply early.

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What Does Rolling Review Mean?

Rolling review means applications can be evaluated as they arrive rather than all being assessed only after the closing date.

Candidates who already have their materials ready may therefore benefit from submitting earlier.

Applicants should still prioritize quality over speed, but there is little advantage in deliberately waiting until the November 2 deadline.

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How to Prepare a Strong Cover Letter

A strong cover letter should directly connect the candidate’s experience with the Academy’s needs.

Applicants may want to address four questions.

Why are you interested in diplomacy?

Explain why diplomacy, foreign policy or the Foreign Service interests you.

Avoid relying entirely on broad phrases such as “I am passionate about international relations.”

Concrete academic, professional or personal experiences can make the explanation more convincing.

Why are you interested in communications?

The internship contains substantial communications responsibilities.

Applicants should mention relevant experience with:

• Writing
• Social media
• Website management
• Journalism
• Public engagement
• Publications

What can you contribute?

The Academy is looking for someone who can contribute actively to its small team.

Applicants should identify practical skills such as:

• Social-media management
• Copywriting
• Analytics
• Event organization
• Website editing
• Research
• Database management
• Graphic design
• Video editing

Why the American Academy of Diplomacy?

Applicants should demonstrate that they understand the organization.

A strong answer might connect the Academy’s membership of experienced diplomats, its nonprofit model and its focus on strengthening American diplomacy with the candidate’s own interests.

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How to Prepare Your Résumé

Applicants should tailor their résumé specifically for the internship.

Relevant experience might include:

• Student organizations
• Model United Nations
• Debate societies
• International affairs clubs
• Student journalism
• Communications roles
• Social-media management
• NGO volunteering
• Event coordination
• Research assistantships
• Website management
• Administrative work

Candidates should describe results rather than only duties whenever possible.

For example, rather than writing:

“Managed social media.”

A stronger résumé might say:

“Managed LinkedIn and Instagram content for a university international-affairs society and tracked monthly engagement analytics.”

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About the Academy’s Washington, DC Headquarters

The American Academy of Diplomacy lists its address as:

1101 17th Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
United States

The internship announcement itself does not clearly specify whether the Spring 2027 arrangement is fully on-site, hybrid or remote.

Applicants for whom location is a major consideration should therefore confirm the working arrangement directly with the Academy.

Do not assume remote participation is available unless the Academy confirms it.

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Application Contact Information

American Academy of Diplomacy

1101 17th Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
United States

Internship application email:
academy@academyofdiplomacy.org

Official internship page:
https://www.academyofdiplomacy.org/internship-details

The Academy specifically requests no phone calls regarding internship applications.

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Key Details at a Glance

Programme: Spring 2027 Program & Communications Internship

Organization: American Academy of Diplomacy

Fields: Diplomacy, communications, nonprofit management, foreign affairs and programme support

Target applicants: Students and recent graduates with continuing education goals

Weekly commitment: 20–40 hours

Minimum duration: 13 weeks

Compensation: Unpaid

Academic credit: May be available depending on school requirements

Key responsibilities: Social media, events, meetings, member communications, website updates, contact-list management, staff support and an independent project

Preferred platforms: X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook

Software: Microsoft Word, Access, Excel and PowerPoint required; Gmail/Google Apps and Wix preferred

Application materials: Résumé and cover letter

Application email: academy@academyofdiplomacy.org

Subject line: Academy Internship Application

Additional information to include: Schedule availability and tentative start/end dates

Review: Rolling basis

Deadline: End of day November 2, 2026

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Conclusion

The American Academy of Diplomacy Spring 2027 Program & Communications Internship provides an opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience at the intersection of diplomacy, communications and nonprofit management.

Because the Academy is a small organization, the selected intern is expected to participate directly in its core activities rather than simply observe from the sidelines. Responsibilities can include managing social media, helping organize events and meetings, communicating with Academy members, maintaining contact lists, updating website content, supporting professional staff and developing an individual project.

The internship may be particularly attractive to candidates considering careers in diplomacy, the Foreign Service, international relations, strategic communications, public diplomacy, nonprofit management or foreign-policy organizations.

Applicants should have strong writing and organizational skills, familiarity with Microsoft Office and an ability to operate both independently and collaboratively. Previous organizational social-media experience is particularly relevant, while experience with Google Workspace, social-media analytics and Wix can further strengthen an application.

Candidates must commit at least 13 weeks and approximately 20 to 40 hours per week. The internship is unpaid, although academic credit may be possible depending on university requirements.

Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, interested candidates should consider applying well before the final closing date.

Final application deadline: End of day, November 2, 2026.

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