Do you have an interest in conflict early warning, peace building, security, and human rights? Are you a current graduate or undergraduate student (or a recent graduate) seeking experience in the NGO sector?

We offer internships in our Washington, D.C. headquarters every semester. Interns at FFP are given significant responsibility and are provided with practical experience in the international relations field, with excellent work experience and exposure to international and NGO communities.

For current internship postings and deadlines, please visit our page on Idealist.org.

Intern applications are accepted on a rolling basis; however, for priority consideration of  your application, please submit materials by the following deadlines:

For Spring internships (usually January-May): November 15

For Summer internships (usually May/June-August): March 15

For Fall internships (usually September-December): July 15

Apply online HERE.

What kind of responsibilities do Interns have?

Intern responsibilities can include:

  • Conflict analysis
  • Conflict data coding
  • Researching and writing articles and reports
  • Assisting with editing and proofreading
  • Monitoring and updating essential country-specific data
  • Providing support to The Fund for Peace’s public events
  • Attending conferences and roundtables on behalf of The Fund for Peace

Does The Fund for Peace accept international candidates?

Yes. Of course, international staff must have authorization to work (or at least intern) in the U.S. If a visa is required, The Fund for Peace is more than happy to assist you with the paperwork; however, unfortunately we are not able to cover the costs of visas or the visa application process. The costs of obtaining a visa can be expensive, at times upwards of US$1000.

Past and present interns have come from countries as diverse as Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, D.R. Congo, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Mexico, Mozambique, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Can interning with The Fund for Peace lead to a permanent position?

Though the Fund for Peace is a small organization, a number of former interns have indeed gone on to become permanent staffers. That said, such a transition is far from guaranteed! Nevertheless, the Fund for Peace internship does provide unparalleled exposure to the NGO, think-tank and government communities in the U.S. and abroad.

Does The Fund for Peace accept only full-time interns?

No. The Fund for Peace is able to accommodate both full-time and part-time interns (depending on semester). During the fall and spring term, interns at the Fund for Peace are asked to work 15-20 hours per week. During the summer term, interns work 30 hours per week at minimum. Normal duty hours are 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, although we can be flexible about scheduling where necessary.

What qualities are we seeking in our interns?

Though academic and professional qualifications are obviously important, we also prefer our interns to be well-rounded and personable.

+ Experience with or understanding of the Fund for Peace’s programmatic areas

+ Excellent written and oral communication skills

+ Strong attention to detail

+ Solid organizational abilities

+ Individual initiative and flexibility

+ Strong research and computer skills

+ A great sense of humor

What is the average duration of an internship?

The length of an internship varies. We prefer interns to work with us for at least 3-4 months. Some interns have actually worked with us for 6 months or more.

Is the internship paid or unpaid?

The Fund for Peace offers a stipend to cover commuting expenses. Based on a full work week, pro rated for part-time interns, the stipend is as follows:

  • Part-time – $125 per month
  • Full-time – $250 per month

Does The Fund for Peace prefer graduate students to undergraduate?

Yes. However, we do sometimes accept exceptional undergraduate students on a case-by-case basis. We also hire recent post-graduates.

How do I apply for the Fund for Peace internship?

We ask that you apply online HERE. You will be requested to provide us with some basic contact information, your program and semester preferences and a list of references. We also provide you with space to copy and paste your cover letter and resume.

Please note that we no longer accept applications by e-mail. All applications must be submitted online. Please only e-mail us if there is a technical fault regarding the online application form.

Some pointers

  • In your cover letter, be sure to explain your interest in and enthusiasm for The Fund for Peace, as often an applicant’s enthusiasm for the organization and our programs will give applicants an edge. We all want to save the world, but we would much rather you explain to us how you think you are ideally suited to and can contribute to The Fund for Peace.
    • Applicants MUST detail their intended period of interning with us (i.e., January 1st through December 31st).
    • Applicants are encouraged to detail their preferred program(s) with which they would like to be placed.
  • We only require writing samples for applicants who are subsequently invited for an interview.
  • Be advised that The Fund for Peace receives many applications each semester for only a handful of positions. Because we do not have a dedicated personnel department, we ONLY contact those applicants who have been selected for an interview. Sorry.

No phone calls, please. We really mean it. If we took calls from every applicant, we wouldn’t have time for anything else.