Job Location: Washington, DC headquarters, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in office
Employment Type: Temporary
Seniority Level: Intern
Job Category: Staff

Description

Forward Defense (FD), housed in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, develops actionable strategies and operational concepts to ensure the United States and its allies can deter and, if necessary, prevail in conflict. Our work spans US defense strategy, emerging technologies, nuclear and space security, and the revitalization of the defense industrial base. In doing so, we aim to tackle foundational challenges, from two-peer nuclear deterrence to maritime industrial decline, with seriousness, urgency, and innovation.


FD is looking for a motivated, energetic individual to become a core member of our fast-growing team. FD interns support our public and private events; reports, papers, and memos; and digital public communications. Through their work, they interact with senior US and allied defense officials and are exposed to logistical and event planning; research, writing, editing, and publishing; and the inner workings of a Washington, DC think tank.


FD also provides regular professional development opportunities for our YGPs, such as workshops on career skills and technical knowledge, exposure to and interaction with our resident Military Fellows and Non-Resident Senior Fellow network, and introductions to military and defense concepts through hands-on war games, based on our fellows’ expertise.


This internship is based in our Washington, DC headquarters , requiring a minimum of 4 days per week in the office. Interns will be compensated at a rate of $18.00 per hour.

Responsibilities

  • Conduct research to support the activities of Forward Defense.
  • Manage Forward Defense contacts and knowledge.
  • Draft correspondence and take notes at roundtables and strategy sessions for program archives.
  • Handle logistical and operational functions of Forward Defense issues for events and activities.
  • Help draft policy briefs, blog posts, memos, articles, and other publications.
  • Support Forward Defense’s development as needed.
  • Conduct media outreach to promote FD’s events, publications, and writings.
  • Support Forward Defense in creating and updating content on its website using WordPress.

Qualifications

  • Must be at least a college junior in good standing, a graduate student, or college graduate, although a range of academic backgrounds may qualify you for this position. Candidates should articulate why their backgrounds are relevant to our work in the fields of international relations and national security in a cover letter.
  • Must demonstrate proven interest in the core mission of the Atlantic Council.
  • Interest in and knowledge of a range of core topics related to Forward Defense’s themes and priorities, such as Chinese and Russian security, military technology, space security, nuclear deterrence and arms control, national security applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, hybrid warfare, homeland security, defense industry, and wargaming.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written – live and virtual), including the ability to identify and work through challenges, underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence.
  • Must be proficient in MS Office suite. Mention proficiency in other software (such as WordPress, Salesforce, and Marketo) in your application.
  • Strong analytical, planning, time management, and organizational skills required.
  • We welcome applications from candidates who can commit to work full-time (forty hours per week) from the Council’s Washington, DC headquarters. We require candidates to be in the office four days a week.

Applications close Sunday, June 8, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET (4:59 am GMT) and require a resume and cover letter. Due to the large volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Apply Now

About the Program

Forward Defense, housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, generates ideas and connects stakeholders in the defense ecosystem to promote an enduring military advantage for the United States, its allies, and partners. Our work identifies the defense strategies, capabilities, and resources the United States needs to deter and, if necessary, prevail in future conflict.

Learn more

All Atlantic Council employees are required to adhere to the Atlantic Council’s vaccination policy. All Atlantic Council employees must be fully vaccinated and boosted, and they must submit proof of both vaccination and COVID-19 booster shot on their first day of employment. Prospective or new employees may seek an exemption to the vaccination requirement through human resources and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment.

Please note: The Atlantic Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of any classification protected by law, including but not limited to those protected characteristics covered by the DC Human Rights Act, including age, skin color, credit information, disability, family responsibilities, familial status, gender identity & expression, genetic information, homeless status, marital status, matriculation, national origin, personal appearance, place of residence or business, political affiliation, race, religion, seal eviction record, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, status as a victim or family member of a victim of DVSOS, or status as a victim of an intrafamily offense. The Atlantic Council is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. For more information, please connect with us at recruitment@atlanticcouncil.org. Eligibility to work in the United States is confirmed with E-Verify; employment at the Atlantic Council is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).