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Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center Internship 2026 | Paid Washington DC Placement

The Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center offers a paid internship in Washington DC for students and recent graduates interested in the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy. Interns earn $18.50 per hour working 32+ hours weekly on data visualization, research, and event management.

October 25, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Nov 8, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryUnited States
University/OrgAtlantic Council
Degree LevelUndergraduate, Short Course
Funding TypePartial Funding
Fields of StudyData Visualization, Economics, Finance, International Relations, Public Policy
DeadlineNovember 8, 2026

Scholarship Overview

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

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Program Overview

The Atlantic Council GeoEconomics Center Internship is a temporary, paid staff position based at the organization’s Washington, DC headquarters. The program places interns at the intersection of economics, finance, and foreign policy, offering hands-on experience in research, data visualization, event planning, and digital communications.

Interns work a minimum of 32 hours per week (4 days in-office) and receive compensation of $18.50 per hour. This is not a remote position—physical presence in Washington, DC is mandatory.

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What Interns Actually Do

The role combines substantive research with operational support. Daily responsibilities include:

  • Designing infographics and data visualizations for Center publications
  • Managing social media accounts and producing daily content across platforms
  • Editing research briefs and preparing publications for distribution
  • Planning and executing events, including day-of management
  • Conducting ad hoc research on current economic events, stakeholders, and emerging issues
  • Drafting speaker briefs, correspondence, and meeting notes
  • Tracking media mentions, program metrics, and contact databases
  • Assisting with administrative and logistical duties

Who Should Apply

This internship suits candidates with genuine interest in geoeconomics, international trade, fiscal and monetary policy, digital currencies, and the future of global economic architecture.

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Essential Requirements

  • College sophomore in good standing OR recent graduate
  • Academic background in international economics, finance, public policy, or related discipline
  • Strong analytical, writing, research, and organizational skills
  • Sound judgment and ability to work through challenges independently
  • Full-time work authorization in the United States

Highly Desired Experience

  • Professional team experience across stakeholder levels
  • Data collection, cleaning, and analysis using Excel, statistical software, or programming languages
  • Data visualization and graphic design tools
  • Social media management in professional settings
  • Event planning and production experience
  • Familiarity with Macrobond, Bloomberg, or national statistical databases

For African Applicants: Practical Considerations

The most significant barrier for Zimbabwean and SADC-region applicants is the U.S. work authorization requirement. The Atlantic Council confirms eligibility through E-Verify, meaning candidates must already possess valid authorization to work full-time in the United States—typically through U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or specific visa categories that permit employment.

This is not a visa-sponsoring position. If you are currently studying at a U.S. institution on an F-1 visa, you may be eligible through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) depending on your program structure and timing. Confirm your status with your international student office before applying.

The $18.50 hourly wage (approximately $2,960 monthly for full-time work) must cover Washington, DC living costs. The organization does not publish housing assistance or relocation support details.

Application Components

Instead of a traditional cover letter, applicants must submit short written responses to three specific questions (maximum 200 words each):

  1. Motivation: Why this internship, this team, and how it fits your academic or career trajectory
  2. Topic Analysis: Describe an economic or financial topic you follow closely, what drew you to it, and what policymakers should prioritize
  3. Problem-Solving: Describe handling incomplete, inconsistent, or difficult data—your approach, outcome, and lessons learned

Upload these responses as a single document where the application system prompts for a cover letter. The organization explicitly requests these answers be prepared without AI assistance.

Required Documents

  • Resume/CV
  • Three short-answer responses (cover letter substitute)

Application Process

  1. Prepare your resume and draft the three required responses within word limits
  2. Submit through the Atlantic Council’s online application system before the deadline
  3. Due to application volume, only shortlisted candidates receive contact for interviews

Additional Employment Information

The Atlantic Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer with comprehensive non-discrimination protections covering characteristics including age, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, and others under DC Human Rights Act provisions.

Employment qualifies for U.S. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) for those with eligible federal student loans. The organization provides reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals.

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Paid internship at $18.50 per hour; minimum 32 hours per week. No published information on housing, travel, or relocation support.

Eligibility Criteria

College sophomore in good standing or recent graduate in international economics, finance, public policy, or related field; eligible to work full-time in the United States; strong writing, research, and analytical skills; interest in geoeconomics and international affairs

Required Documents

Resume/CV; three short written responses (200 words each) covering motivation, economic topic analysis, and data problem-solving experience

Application Process

Submit online application through Atlantic Council careers portal including resume and three short-answer responses uploaded as cover letter substitute; await contact if selected for interview
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Only if you already have full-time U.S. work authorization. The Atlantic Council uses E-Verify and does not sponsor visas for this position. F-1 visa holders may qualify through CPT or OPT if their program timing aligns. The work authorization requirement is strict and non-negotiable.
Applications close Sunday, November 8, 2026, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (4:59 am GMT on November 9). Submit well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
The published description does not mention housing assistance, relocation support, or travel reimbursement. The $18.50 hourly wage must cover Washington, DC living expenses. Budget approximately $1,500–$2,500 monthly for shared housing in the DC metro area.
Focus your three 200-word responses on specificity: concrete examples of your economic interests, demonstrated data-handling experience with actual outcomes, and genuine connections between the Center's published work and your career goals. Avoid generic statements. The organization explicitly requests no AI assistance in preparing these answers.
The Atlantic Council states it receives a large volume of applications and contacts only those selected for interviews. No acceptance rate is published. Competitive candidates typically combine strong academic credentials in economics/finance with demonstrated experience in at least one highly desired area: data visualization, social media management, event production, or financial data platforms.
The published description does not address academic credit arrangements. If you require credit, confirm with your academic institution and the Atlantic Council HR team before accepting any offer. The position is classified as temporary employment, not a formal academic program.