The Heritage Foundation was founded in 1973 to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional family values and a strong national defense. Interns conduct research for Heritage's senior fellows, attend briefings in Congress, and hear from prominent public policy experts at weekly intern seminars. Applications for summer are accepted between January 1 and March. Fall applications are due by August 1, and spring semester applications are due by December 1. The American Enterprise Institute is a private, nonpartisan research institute dedicated to the improvement of government through public policy debate.
Interns gain practical experience in an academic environment.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies offers fall, spring, and summer internships in such areas as international communications, social and economic policy, political-military affairs, and regional studies. Regional studies internships usually require a foreign language ability. Applications are due April 1 and November 1. The American Defense Institute has internships every semester for qualified juniors and seniors in National Defense Studies. Interns spend one semester in the institute's Washington, D. C. office conducting research on current national security issues.