Fall 2026 Heritage Internship - Young Leaders Program

The Heritage Foundation's Young Leaders Program hires more than 50 interns each fall semester at its Washington, DC headquarters. The Fall 2026 cohort runs September 8 through December 4, 2026, with full-time (40 hours/week) and part-time (minimum 20 hours/week) options during regular business hours. Interns are placed across Heritage's policy and operational departments, including foreign policy, economic policy, domestic policy, law and constitutional studies, communications, government relations, development, and digital media. The program emphasizes substantive research and writing tied to Heritage's policy mission, paired with weekly lectures, professional development sessions, and networking with conservative leaders. Interns are paid $18.50 per hour; high school graduates and above are eligible, with college juniors and above preferred. Hiring is rolling through the May 31 application deadline.