American Enterprise Institute Internship 2027–2028: Programs, Deadlines & How to Apply

Last updated: October 2026

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) says it offers more than 40 internship opportunities a term, and on 3 October 2026 its own internship board listed 32 spring 2027 roles, from Economic Policy and the Critical Threats Project to the Housing Center and the Office of the President. AEI internships run 12 weeks in spring, summer and fall, in person at its Dupont Circle offices in Washington, DC. They're unpaid, but eligible interns receive a $3,000 educational benefit plus free breakfast and lunch on in-person days. Here's the cycle in plain words: AEI hires in three terms, spring 2027 is open now, and summer 2027 applications are expected around December 2026 to January 2027. Review is rolling until seats fill, so the earlier you apply in each window, the better.

Quick Facts

Spring 2027 internships are open now and rolling; summer 2027 roles are expected to post around December 2026 to January 2027, and AEI says successful candidates apply as early as possible.

AEI's research internships ask for data work, research and clear writing, so a finished project gives you something concrete to discuss. Externships are short, remote programs where you complete a real project for a real organization, most commonly over 8 weeks. The ARCEH Children's Environmental Health Analytics Externship fits the policy research and data roles, and the Khan Academy Strategic Partnerships & Earned Revenue Externship fits Development and Coalitions. Explore all Externships.

What Is an American Enterprise Institute Internship?

An American Enterprise Institute internship is an unpaid, 12-week placement at a Washington, DC public policy think tank, in either a research department or a business team. AEI describes itself as a think tank dedicated to democracy, free enterprise and American strength, with research in economics, foreign and defense policy, and social, cultural and constitutional studies. Its internships page says the program has run since the 1970s. Research interns pull data, fact-check, edit and support scholars' articles, books and testimony; business-side interns work in media relations, events, development, editing services and the Office of the President. Every intern also joins AEI's weekly intern programming: conversations with scholars, résumé reviews, graduate school panels and career talks.

When Do American Enterprise Institute Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?

AEI runs three 12-week sessions a year: spring (mid-January to early April), summer (late May or early June to mid-August) and fall (early September to mid-December). Each session is posted a few months ahead. Spring 2027 roles were already live in late September 2026 for a 12 January 2027 start. Summer roles have posted earlier each year: around February 2024, by 2 January 2025, and by early December 2025, when one applicant for a summer 2026 role applied. So applications for summer 2027 are expected around December 2026 to January 2027, with moderate confidence.

How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.

Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open

AEI's mode is rolling, and it says so itself: applications are accepted "on a rolling basis until the internships are filled", and "successful candidates usually submit their application(s) as early as possible." None of the 33 live reqs carries a deadline, so there's no date that tells you you're late. The only signal is that seats disappear. Reddit applicants describe replies that take anywhere from about six weeks to three months, which means an application sent in week one is in review long before one sent a month later. For summer 2027, set a reminder for late November and apply the week the roles appear.

Which American Enterprise Institute Internship Programs Should You Target?

AEI posts one internship per department, so you choose a team, not a general program. These are the groups the 32 spring 2027 roles fall into.

See every open role on AEI's internship board. AEI lets you apply to more than one department and add extra cover letters in the additional information section of your profile.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

AEI's rules come from its internship FAQ and the reqs themselves:

• Class year: undergraduate sophomores, juniors and seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students with relevant coursework.

• GPA: a 3.0 minimum. The reqs add that competitive candidates "will generally have a GPA of 3.5 or higher from a top-ranking college or university."

• In person: AEI prefers in-person interns for 20 to 40 hours a week; virtual or hybrid is case by case.

• The $3,000 benefit: available to current students at an accredited US college or university, or students graduating in the same calendar year as the internship, who complete onboarding and the required programming.

• Work authorization: neither the FAQ nor the reqs we read address international students, so ask AEI before you apply.

Is the GPA a Hard Cutoff?

The 3.0 is the floor; 3.5 is the norm. AEI's FAQ sets the minimum at 3.0, but the same FAQ and 32 of the 33 live reqs say most successful or competitive candidates sit at 3.5 or higher. If you're between 3.0 and 3.5, apply to the departments where a specific skill sets you apart, such as Stata for the Survey Center or Salesforce for Events, and lead with that.

What Skills Does the American Enterprise Institute Look For, and How Do You Build Them?

AEI's reqs split into research roles and business roles, but three asks run through almost all of them. Research and writing: 31 of 33 reqs mention research support and 20 mention writing, from fact-checking a scholar's op-ed to editing book chapters. Data work: 18 ask for quantitative or data skills; the Economic Policy req wants Excel, intermediate econometrics and official sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with Stata, R or Python preferred. Organization: 19 ask for organization or attention to detail, and 17 involve supporting AEI's in-person events.

How Is Demand for Policy and Government Interns Moving Right Now?

Build These Skills Before You Apply

Each skill below comes from AEI's live reqs and maps to a remote Externship you can finish before or alongside your application.

A finished analysis or a written recommendation also works as a conversation piece in an AEI interview, where scholars want to see how you research and how you write.

What Is the American Enterprise Institute Application and Interview Process Like?

AEI's process is simple on paper and slow in practice:

1. Pick your departments. Apply on the iCIMS board to one or more departmental roles. AEI lets you add extra cover letters in the additional information section, and it asks applicants not to phone.

2. Submit a résumé and cover letter. Tailor each letter to the department and name the tools the req names, such as Stata for the Survey Center or Salesforce for Events.

3. Wait for rolling review. Applicants on Reddit report replies after anywhere from about six weeks to three months.

4. Interview. A summer 2026 applicant who applied in early December was contacted about three months later and interviewed on 9 March.

5. Onboard. Accepted interns complete onboarding paperwork, which also triggers eligibility for the $3,000 benefit, and attend orientation and weekly programming.

AEI doesn't publish its interview format. Prepare to talk about the policy area of the department you applied to and about any research or writing you've done.

What Students on Reddit Say

AEI threads on Reddit are mostly about timing, and they agree the wait is long.

How Do You Stand Out at AEI?

Three moves. First, apply early and to more than one department. AEI is rolling, and it explicitly allows multiple applications with separate cover letters, so two well-matched departments beat one long shot. Second, name the tools and sources the req names. The Economic Policy req lists Excel, econometrics and official databases from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Bureau of Labor Statistics; the Survey Center wants Stata or SPSS; Events wants Salesforce. A line that shows you've used them reads very differently from a general interest in policy. Third, read the scholars' recent work. AEI interns support specific scholars, so mention a recent report or op-ed from the department and say what you'd want to dig into. AEI doesn't publish an applicant count or a conversion rate, but it does hire Research Assistants, so a strong internship is a real path to a first job there.

What Other Companies Should You Consider?

If you're applying to AEI, these organizations sit closest by work and by city.

For more policy and public-sector programs, see our government internships summer 2027 guide.

FAQ

Can I still apply for a summer 2026 AEI internship?

No. The summer 2026 session ended in August. What's open now is spring 2027: 32 department internships were live on AEI's board on 3 October 2026, starting 12 or 19 January 2027. Summer 2027 roles are expected to post around December 2026 to January 2027, so check the board from late November.

When do AEI summer 2027 internship applications open?

They're expected around December 2026 to January 2027. AEI doesn't publish an opening date, but summer roles have posted earlier each year: around February 2024, by 2 January 2025, and by early December 2025. Review is rolling, so apply the week the summer roles appear on the iCIMS board.

Are AEI internships paid?

No, they're unpaid. Eligible interns receive a $3,000 Intern Educational Assistance Benefit, plus free breakfast and lunch on in-person days and books by AEI scholars. To qualify for the benefit you need to be enrolled at an accredited US college or graduating that year, and complete onboarding and the required programming.

What GPA do I need for an AEI internship?

The minimum is 3.0, but AEI says most successful candidates have a 3.5 or higher, and 32 of the 33 live reqs repeat that competitive candidates generally have a 3.5. If you're below 3.5, lead with a concrete skill the department asks for, such as Stata, Salesforce or a foreign language.

Does AEI review applications on a rolling basis?

Yes. AEI accepts applications on a rolling basis until the internships are filled and says successful candidates usually apply as early as possible. None of the live reqs lists a deadline, and applicants on Reddit report replies after about six weeks to three months, so applying early matters more than any date.

How long is an AEI internship?

Twelve weeks, at 20 to 40 hours a week, in person in Washington, DC. Spring 2027 runs either 12 January to 2 April or 19 January to 9 April 2027. Summer runs from late May or early June to mid-August, and fall from early September to mid-December.

What skills does AEI look for in interns?

Research and writing come first: 31 of 33 live reqs mention research support and 20 mention writing. Economics roles add Excel, econometrics and Stata, R or Python, the Survey Center wants Stata or SPSS, and business teams ask for Microsoft Office, Salesforce and event logistics.

Does AEI hire interns full-time?

AEI doesn't publish a conversion rate. It does hire entry-level Research Assistants, posted on its staff board at $50,000 to $54,000 a year, and an internship gives you scholars and staff who know your work. Ask about Research Assistant openings near the end of your session.

AEI's spring 2027 internships are open now, and summer roles are expected in December. Apply early to the departments that fit, and if you want a finished project to discuss with a scholar, a remote Externship takes about 5 to 10 hours a week.