Think tanks

Working at a DC think tank: why and how

Think tank work can be a great way to build policy-relevant skills and knowledge, and work on important policy ideas. This guide explains how the think tank world works:

Think tank fellowships

There are many policy fellowship programs aiming to help people with different backgrounds and career stages test their fit for policy work and gain first-hand experience. These programs can provide opportunities to work at think tanks (or other policy institutions like Congress and executive agencies). Other common fellowship benefits include funding, training, mentoring, networking opportunities, application support, and the possibility of post-fellowship employment. See this database for a list of relevant US policy fellowships.

The following programs are especially relevant to think tank work:

Early- or mid career full-time fellowships

• Horizon Fellowship: a 6-24 month full-time US emerging technology policy fellowship—focusing on AI policy and biosecurity policy—providing job placements in think tanks, the US Congress, or the executive branch, for early- and mid-career individuals. (The Horizon Fellowship and this website are both projects of the Horizon Institute for Public Service.)
• Scoville Peace Fellowship: a 6-9 month full-time security policy fellowship with DC-based NGOs for early-career college or master’s graduates.
• RAND Center on AI, Security, and Technology Fellowship: a 1-3 year full-time or part-time fellowship with RAND focused on AI policy, open to candidates from all experience levels, from undergraduate students to mid-career professionals.
• STPI Science Policy Fellowship: a 2-year full-time science and technology policy fellowship.
• Carnegie Endowment Gaither Junior Fellows Program: a 1-year program for graduating seniors and recent graduates (within the past academic year)
• Third Way Fellows Program – a 12-month paid, full-time program with two tracks (1) Economic Fellows, and (2) Climate and Energy Fellows
• GovAI Research Scholars (Centre for the Governance of AI): a one-year visiting position supporting AI governance researchers and practitioners in policy research, social science, technical research, and applied projects. Scholars gain mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to engage with policymakers.
• GovAI Research Fellows (Centre for the Governance of AI): a full-time, two-year renewable position for researchers working on AI governance topics like regulation, international governance, and risk assessment. Fellows receive mentorship, project funding, and access to a broad policy network, with opportunities for policy advising and direct engagement with policymakers.
• GovAI Summer and Winter Fellowships (Centre for the Governance of AI): a paid, three-month, London-based program for early-career individuals or professionals new to AI governance to conduct independent research under expert mentorship.
• IAPS AI Policy Fellowship (Institute for AI Policy and Strategy): a paid, remote-first, four-month program where participants learn from AI policy experts, develop research skills, and support policy research under expert supervision, including an in-person 2-week period in Washington, DC.
• LawAI Summer Research Fellowships (Institute for Law & AI): a paid, remote-first summer program for law students, professionals, and academics to conduct research on AI, law, and policy with expert mentorship, including an in-person week in Washington, DC.

Recent PhD or law school graduates

• Brookings Rubenstein Fellowship
• American Enterprise Institute Jeanne Kirkpatrick Fellowship
• Future of Privacy Forum: Elise Berkower Memorial Fellow / Christopher Wolf Diversity Law Fellowship

Early- or mid-career non-resident fellowships (often part-time / unpaid but helpful for network- and skill-building)

• Center for Health Security Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Fellowship
• Council on Strategic Risks Fellowship for Ending Bioweapons Programs
• Atlantic Council Millennium Leadership Fellowship
• Center for a New American Security Next Gen National Security Fellowship
• German Marshall Fund Marshall Memorial Fellowship
• Center for Democracy and Technology Fellows Program

Internships

• Our policy internship page features dozens of think tank internship opportunities.

Mid-career visiting fellowships

• Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellowship
• Wilson Center Fellowship
• New America Fellowship

Opportunities for people from underrepresented backgrounds

• Our article on advice and resources for underrepresented groups in policy lists 25+ mentorship programs, fellowships, and internships (incl. many at think tanks)

Think tanks working on emerging tech policy

The below lists of think tanks working in different in emerging technology policy areas (AI, biosecurity, civic tech, cyber, nuclear weapons, and space) are not comprehensive, but we hope they are still helpful as starting points (see also this detailed global think tank repository).

Recommended resources