Shutterstock
Internships with the Science and Technology Innovation Program
Connect With Us
Our Blogs
What Does STIP Do?
The Science and Technology Innovation Program (STIP) focuses on bringing foresight to the frontier, exploring emerging technologies through vital conversations that are not just for scientists. Internships with STIP are designed to provide the opportunity for practical experience in public policy, science and technology, and scholarship.
Current STIP Topic Areas Seeking Interns
Interning at the Wilson Center
- Internships are part-time; typically 20-35 hours per week with flexibility provided for academic schedules.
- Internships are open to current college students, graduate students, and recent graduates.
- Internships are paid, based on physical locality minimum wage (GS-3 Step 3), and will not be paid less than the federal minimum wage of $15.00 per hour.
- The Wilson Center is an equal opportunity employer and follows equal opportunity employment guidelines in the selection of interns.
- Internships can be served virtually or in-person.
Application Cycle Timelines
- Tentative Fall Internship Deadline: Late July
- Tentative Spring Internship Deadline: Mid October
- Tentative Summer Internship Deadline: End of March
What Do STIP Interns Do?
STIP interns gain valuable experience in working directly on leading policy concerns. This can be through contributing to or conducting independent research, direct engagement with policy leaders, and collaboration with international governmental bodies. In this internship, you work one-on-one with leading experts in the field both within and outside the Wilson Center. We don't just talk about policy; we also have unique hands-on experiences for interns interested in applying science and technology practices to public policy, such as through our Serious Games Initiative and THING Tank where interns might work on teams developing prototypes or supporting broader ecosystems of practitioners.
Application Process and Materials
Please submit all application materials through our online application portal. A completed application will have the following materials:
- An application form.
- Cover letter explaining your interest in STIP and the associated areas.
- A CV or resume.
- A brief strong writing sample demonstrating your work in science and technology research.
Note for International Students
International students studying in the US are eligible, but they must hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa and appropriate work authorization. All international students must obtain written permission from their designated school official or responsible officer for visas at their university stating they have valid immigration status and are eligible to intern at the Wilson Center. The Wilson Center is not able to sponsor visas for interns. If you are an international student not already studying in the US on a F-1 or J-1 visa, then you must go through a university exchange program or an outside organization that will sponsor your visa. You must have the appropriate visa to apply for this internship.
Past STIP Intern Work
![Cyber](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/Screenshot%202023-10-25%20at%201.07.07%20PM.png)
Emerging Trends at the Nexus of Artificial Intelligence & Cybersecurity
In this blog post, we analyze three trends at the nexus of cybersecurity and AI that are fundamentally changing the digital landscape in 2023.
![Open RAN Event Zoom Screenshot](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/Open%20RAN%20Zoom%20Image-min.png)
Event Summary | Open RAN: Status of Global Deployment and Policy Considerations
Leaders from the US State Department and top global telecommunications companies discussed how the public and private sector can work together to drive innovation in Open RAN technologies in a panel hosted by the Science and Technology Innovation Program and the Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition.
![open source code program technology software development](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/shutterstock_small.jpg)
Open Source Software and Cybersecurity: How unique is this problem?
Open systems aren’t inherently less secure than their proprietary counterparts, and open source code is not inherently less secure than proprietary code. Instead, Open Source Software (OSS) poses familiar cybersecurity challenges. Despite this, focusing on the security of OSS is broadly beneficial.
![Screenshot of Panel for Open Data: What’s Next in Policy and Practice?](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/open%20data%20screenshot.png)
Event Summary | Open Data: What’s Next in Policy and Practice?
Open data has seen great progress in recent years, but new opportunities and challenges continue to emerge. Future progress requires greater attention to equity, security, and a better understanding of context and culture.
![Concept of human intelligence with human brain inside the universe background.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/shutterstock_568878139.jpg)
Developing Trust in Black Box AI: Explainability and Beyond
![Earth view from space. Global network. Blockchain technology. Planet and communication. Future world 3D illustration. Elements of this image are furnished by NASA](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/shutterstock_1752213254.jpg)
From Supply Chains to Spacecraft: Taking an Integrated Approach to Cybersecurity in Space
![Unpacking Transparency to Support Ethical AI Cover](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/Unpacking%20Transparency%20AI%20cover.png)
Unpacking Transparency to Support Ethical AI
![Impression 3D Fablab](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/Impression_3D_Fablab.jpg)
THING Tank: Introducing Converging Communities
![while True: learn() promotional header](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/WTL_launch.png)
Games Round Up: Artificial Intelligence
![Stitching Together a Solution Cover](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/stiching%20together%20cover.png)
Stitching Together a Solution: Lessons from the Open Source Hardware Response to COVID-19
![Publication cover](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_promo/public/media/uploads/images/THING%20Tank%20Building%20Blocks%20for%20Better%20Science_2.png)
Building Blocks for Better Science: Case Studies in Low-Cost and Open Tools for Science
Who Is a STIP Intern?
Past interns have come from a wide variety of majors, from chemistry to communication, public policy to game design, economics to environmental studies, science and technology studies to history. A qualified candidate will, no matter their discipline, demonstrate a strong interest in an interdisciplinary approach to science, technology, and policy.
See our newest content first.
Subscribe for updates about new events, articles, videos, and more.