General Internship Application Deadlines
- November 1 – Spring Semester (January – April)
- March 1 – Summer Semester (May – August)
- July 1 – Fall Semester (September – December)
MPI provides analysis, development, and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at local, national, and international levels. It aims to meet the demand for pragmatic and thoughtful responses to the challenges and opportunities that large-scale migration, whether voluntary or forced, presents to communities and institutions in an increasingly integrated world. Research Interns work within one of MPI’s four program areas:
- U.S. Immigration
- International Migration
- U.S. Immigrant Integration
- Latin America and Caribbean Initiative
Within each of these substantive areas, research intern duties include:
- Contributing to overall MPI research efforts, including through independent quantitative and/or qualitative research and policy analysis
- Writing paper drafts and preparing literature summaries
- Updating online tools on the MPI Data Hub
- Providing administrative support to MPI on migration-related events
- Attending and summarizing congressional hearings and other relevant public and private events for MPI staff
- Assisting with partial coverage of the reception desk and other light administrative tasks.
The MPI internship program lasts for four months and is divided into three cycles over the course of the year. There is some flexibility in internship start and end dates, but the Spring internship cycle generally runs from January through April, the Summer cycle from May through August, and the Fall semester from September through December.
Internships are available on both full- and part-time basis (with full-time sought for U.S. Immigrant Integration and Communications internships). A stipend is offered to full-time interns and a prorated stipend is available for those interns who work part-time. Students also may arrange to obtain credit for their work. MPI does not cover relocation expenses. Internships can be remote or in person.
Applicants do not need not be a U.S. citizen to apply; however, all applicants must be authorized to work in the United States before the internship begins, unless they reside and work from outside the United States throughout the internship cycle. Since MPI is not designated by the U.S. Department of State to be an exchange visitor sponsor, the Institute cannot provide the supporting documents to apply for foreign worker (H-1B), exchange visitor (J-1), trainee (H-3), or foreign student (F-1) visas.
For all positions, applicants must be at least a junior in college, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Current students, college graduates, graduate students, and early-career professionals are welcome to apply. Those without college experience but who can demonstrate substantial relevant work experience will also be considered. Foreign language skills and proficiency in key Office and other software programs prove helpful for certain projects, as do strong quantitative skills. Minority applicants and/or applicants from immigrant or refugee backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
