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Bipartisan Policy Center Paid Internships 2027: Gain Hands-On Experience in Public Policy, Government Relations and Research in Washington, DC

Kobby B. Simons
Bipartisan Policy Center Paid Internships 2027: Gain Hands-On Experience in Public Policy, Government Relations and Research in Washington, DC
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Are you a university student or recent graduate interested in public policy, government, economics, governance, health, housing, energy, human capital, communications, or government relations? The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is offering paid internship opportunities throughout the year for individuals who want to gain practical experience in policy research, legislative affairs, events, communications, and the policymaking process in Washington, DC.

The Bipartisan Policy Center is a Washington, DC-based think tank that focuses on bringing people from different political perspectives together to develop practical, bipartisan solutions to some of the most important challenges facing the United States. Its internship program provides participants with an opportunity to work directly with policy and functional teams while gaining exposure to how research, advocacy, government relations, and policymaking operate in practice.

The program is designed not only to provide work experience but also to support the professional and personal development of interns. Participants work with an intern manager to shape their experience around their interests and career goals while contributing to real projects undertaken by BPC teams.

According to the official BPC internship page, internships are available during the fall, spring, and summer, with opportunities across a range of policy programs and functional departments.

About the Bipartisan Policy Center

The Bipartisan Policy Center is an organization dedicated to advancing bipartisan solutions that improve lives and strengthen the United States. Its approach is based on bringing people with different political perspectives together to identify areas of common ground and develop practical policy solutions.

The organization works across several major policy areas, including:

The internship program reflects this broader mission by giving students and recent graduates the opportunity to see how bipartisan policymaking works in real-world settings.

Rather than simply observing policy professionals, interns may participate in research, writing, legislative monitoring, event preparation, communications, administrative activities, and the development of policy recommendations.

What Makes the BPC Internship Program Valuable?

The BPC internship program is designed to provide a broad professional experience rather than limiting interns to routine administrative work.

Interns can gain exposure to:

  1. Public policy research
  2. Legislative analysis
  3. Government relations
  4. Federal policymaking
  5. Political communications
  6. Policy writing
  7. Think-tank operations
  8. Congressional activity
  9. Event planning and execution
  10. Professional networking
  11. Project management
  12. Communications and outreach

BPC states that interns have the opportunity to observe bipartisanship in action and see how individuals from different sides of the political spectrum work together to develop policy solutions.

This can make the program particularly valuable for students considering careers in government, public administration, public policy, political science, international development, research, communications, economics, advocacy, nonprofit organizations, or think tanks.

Internship Structure

BPC offers internship opportunities during three periods of the year:

Fall Internships

Fall internships are part-time and paid. Interns receive a $3,000 stipend.

The schedule is designed to give students flexibility while they continue their academic studies. Working hours are arranged with the intern manager at the beginning of the semester.

Spring Internships

Spring internships are also part-time and paid, with interns receiving a $3,000 stipend.

The flexible schedule allows students to gain professional experience while maintaining their academic commitments.

Summer Internships

Summer internships are full-time and paid.

Successful summer interns receive a $6,000 stipend.

This provides an opportunity for students to devote themselves more fully to policy research, government relations, communications, or another BPC program during the summer.

BPC confirms that fall and spring internships are part-time while summer internships are full-time.

Where Are the Internships Based?

The internships are based in the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Washington, DC office.

BPC staff generally work in the office from Tuesday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Monday and Friday.

The organization states that each of its listed project and functional areas offers at least one internship per semester, although individual teams may sometimes have capacity for additional interns.

This arrangement provides interns with an opportunity to experience the professional environment of Washington, DC while also having some flexibility in their working arrangements.

Internship Responsibilities

The exact responsibilities depend on the team and policy area to which an intern is assigned.

However, BPC explains that assignments can include:

This means applicants should expect an internship that combines research, writing, organization, communication, and practical policy work.

Available Internship Areas

BPC offers opportunities across several policy and functional areas. The exact positions available can vary by semester.

1. BPC Action – Government Relations

The BPC Action internship focuses on government relations, legislative activity, political communications, advocacy, and strategic outreach.

BPC Action works to influence public dialogue and policy outcomes through advocacy and education while bringing Republicans and Democrats together on challenging policy issues.

Interns may support policy areas including:

Responsibilities may include:

This internship can be particularly useful for individuals interested in government relations, legislative affairs, political communications, public policy, advocacy, and project management.

2. Economics

BPC’s Economic Policy Program focuses on developing bipartisan policies that promote economic opportunity, prosperity, and financial security.

The program works on major federal economic and fiscal policy issues, including:

The program has also conducted influential work on the federal debt limit and major fiscal policy debates.

Interns working with the Economics team may assist policy experts with research, writing, and long-term policy projects.

This opportunity could be especially relevant for students studying:

3. Energy

The Energy Project provides opportunities for interns to participate in policy research, analysis, event planning, communications, congressional monitoring, writing, and administrative work.

Potential areas of work include:

Applicants interested in energy policy, climate policy, technology, infrastructure, environmental policy, or public policy may find this area particularly relevant.

4. External Relations

The External Relations function provides experience in communications, fundraising, outreach, donor relations, and organizational support.

Potential responsibilities include:

Applicants are expected to have strong written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational abilities.

Experience with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, and Excel, is also useful.

5. Governance

The Governance Program focuses on strengthening democratic institutions, voting processes, public trust, and bipartisan leadership.

The program includes two major project areas:

Elections Project

The Elections Project works on bipartisan policy solutions designed to support secure, accessible, and trustworthy elections.

Structural Democracy Project

The Structural Democracy Project focuses on strengthening American democratic institutions, encouraging constructive debate, building coalitions, and improving governing institutions.

Governance interns may:

Applicants should have an interest in government, democracy, elections, institutional reform, and public policy.

6. Health

BPC’s Health Policy Program works on bipartisan approaches to improving the American health care system and population health.

The program’s work includes issues such as:

Interns may contribute to policy research, information briefs, blogs, congressional tracking, events, communications, and administrative work.

This area may be particularly suitable for students with an interest in health policy, public health, health administration, economics, government, or social policy.

7. Housing

BPC’s J. Ronald Terwilliger Center for Housing Policy works to develop bipartisan policies supporting access to decent, safe, and affordable housing.

Housing interns may assist with:

Potential areas of interest include:

Applicants should have strong research and writing skills, an understanding of the legislative process, good organizational abilities, and an interest in housing policy.

8. Human Capital

BPC’s Human Capital Program focuses on policies that support people throughout their lives, from early childhood through education, employment, and career development.

The program’s policy areas include:

Interns may support:

Applicants should have strong research, writing, organizational, and communication skills.

Experience or interest in social policy, economic policy, early childhood, worker benefits, education, business, workforce development, or state and local policy can be advantageous.

Who Can Apply?

BPC’s general eligibility requirements are designed primarily for students and recent graduates.

Applicants must generally be:

Some individual internship areas have slightly more specific requirements, so applicants should carefully review the particular position before applying.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

International Students and Non-U.S. Citizens

International applicants are eligible to apply.

However, there is an important condition: non-U.S. citizens must already have a valid work permit or visa that authorizes them to work in the United States.

The Bipartisan Policy Center does not provide visa sponsorship.

Therefore, an international applicant who requires BPC to sponsor a U.S. work visa would not meet this requirement.

Academic Background

Applicants come from a variety of academic backgrounds depending on the internship area.

Relevant fields can include:

However, applicants should focus primarily on the qualifications listed for the particular internship they wish to pursue.

Is There a Minimum GPA Requirement?

BPC does not have a formal minimum GPA requirement for its internship program.

However, the organization states that most applicants usually have a GPA of at least 3.0.

This means students who fall below a 3.0 GPA are not automatically excluded, but academic performance can still form part of the overall competitiveness of an application.

Application Deadlines and Opening Dates

BPC publishes internship opportunities for different semesters throughout the year.

The listed application opening dates are:

Importantly, BPC does not list one fixed final deadline for these internship cycles.

Instead, postings generally remain open for approximately four weeks, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until qualified candidates have been identified.

Important Deadline Notice

Because applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, applicants should apply as early as possible after the relevant posting opens rather than waiting until the end of the approximately four-week application period.

For the Spring 2027 cycle, applications opened on September 28, 2026. The current BPC information does not state an exact closing date, only that postings generally remain open for approximately four weeks.

Therefore, prospective applicants should check the official BPC careers page for the active posting and its current status before applying.

Required Application Documents

Applicants are required to submit several materials.

BPC recommends submitting the materials as one PDF where possible.

The required materials are:

1. Resume

Applicants should submit an up-to-date resume highlighting their academic background, professional experience, research, leadership, volunteer work, relevant skills, and policy-related interests.

2. Cover Letter

The cover letter should explain why the applicant is interested in the particular internship and demonstrate how their academic and professional experiences align with the role.

3. Writing Sample

Applicants must provide a 3–5 page writing sample.

For policy-focused internships, applicants should ideally select a writing sample that demonstrates:

4. College or University Transcript

An unofficial transcript is acceptable.

Applicants should ensure that their academic record is clear and readable.

5. Response to “What Does Bipartisanship Mean to You?”

Applicants must provide a brief response of 5–8 sentences addressing the question:

“What does bipartisanship mean to you?”

This is an important part of the application because BPC’s mission is centered on developing solutions across political divides.

Applicants should therefore demonstrate their understanding of collaboration, constructive disagreement, compromise, evidence-based policymaking, and finding common ground.

How to Apply

Applications should be submitted through the Bipartisan Policy Center Careers page.

Applicants should:

  1. Identify the internship area that best matches their interests and qualifications.
  2. Review the specific requirements for that internship.
  3. Prepare a resume.
  4. Prepare a tailored cover letter.
  5. Select a 3–5 page writing sample.
  6. Obtain an unofficial college or university transcript.
  7. Prepare the 5–8 sentence response on bipartisanship.
  8. Combine the materials into one PDF where possible.
  9. Submit the application through the BPC Careers platform.
  10. Submit a separate application for each internship they are interested in.

BPC specifically asks applicants not to submit more than once to the same posting. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicants should also be aware that BPC receives a high volume of applications and does not contact candidates who are not selected.

The organization also asks applicants not to call or contact the organization to check on the status of their application.

Click HERE for more information

What Skills Can Applicants Gain?

One of the major advantages of the BPC internship is the breadth of skills interns can develop.

Depending on the team, interns can gain practical experience in:

These skills can be valuable for graduates pursuing careers in government agencies, legislatures, think tanks, international organizations, nonprofits, consulting firms, advocacy organizations, research institutions, and public affairs.

Professional Development and Networking

The BPC internship program also provides opportunities beyond the immediate work assigned to interns.

The organization describes the program as a holistic experience that provides exposure to:

Interns therefore have the opportunity to develop both technical and interpersonal skills while building professional relationships in Washington, DC.

Why Consider the Bipartisan Policy Center Internship?

For students and recent graduates interested in public policy, this program can offer an unusual combination of paid professional experience, policy research, government exposure, networking, and practical writing experience.

The program can be particularly valuable for applicants who want to understand how policy ideas move from research and analysis into public debate and government decision-making.

The different internship areas also mean that applicants can pursue their particular interests.

For example:

Important Things Applicants Should Know

Before submitting an application, prospective candidates should keep the following points in mind:

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Bipartisan Policy Center internships paid?

Yes. Fall and spring internships are part-time and provide a $3,000 stipend, while summer internships are full-time and provide a $6,000 stipend.

Are international students eligible?

Yes, non-U.S. citizens can apply. However, they must already possess a valid U.S. work permit or visa authorizing employment.

BPC does not provide visa sponsorship.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement?

No. BPC does not impose a formal minimum GPA requirement, although it notes that most applicants usually have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Do I need to be studying political science?

Not necessarily. BPC has internship areas covering economics, energy, health, housing, human capital, governance, government relations, and external relations. The appropriate academic background will depend on the particular internship.

Can recent graduates apply?

Yes. BPC’s general eligibility criteria include recent graduates, in addition to rising juniors and above and students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs.

How long should the writing sample be?

The required writing sample should be 3–5 pages.

Is an official transcript required?

No. BPC states that an unofficial college or university transcript is acceptable.

Is there a fixed application deadline?

BPC’s internship page does not provide a single fixed closing date. Instead, postings generally remain open for approximately four weeks and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Can I apply for more than one internship?

Yes. Applicants can apply for internships they are interested in, but BPC asks candidates to submit a separate application for each internship and not to submit more than once to the same posting.

Final Thoughts

The Bipartisan Policy Center’s paid internship program provides students and recent graduates with an opportunity to move beyond classroom learning and gain practical experience in the world of public policy and government.

With opportunities spanning economics, energy, governance, health, housing, human capital, government relations, and external relations, the program can accommodate applicants with a wide variety of academic and professional interests.

Perhaps one of the most valuable aspects of the opportunity is its emphasis on learning how policy professionals with different political perspectives can work together to develop practical solutions. Interns can gain exposure to research, legislative activity, policy development, communications, events, and the broader operations of a Washington, DC think tank.

Applicants should pay close attention to the rolling nature of the recruitment process. Because BPC generally keeps postings open for approximately four weeks and reviews applications as they arrive, waiting until the final days may reduce an applicant’s chances of being considered.

For prospective applicants, the strongest approach is to identify the internship area that closely matches their interests, prepare a tailored application, select a strong writing sample, and clearly demonstrate their ability to conduct research, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and engage thoughtfully with policy issues.

Click HERE to discover more opportunities  

The Spring 2027 application cycle opened on September 28, 2026, while the Summer 2027 cycle is scheduled to open on February 8, 2027, and the Fall 2027 cycle is scheduled to open on June 14, 2027. Since BPC reviews applications on a rolling basis, interested candidates should consult the official careers page and apply as early as possible once their preferred posting becomes available.

 

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