About the role#
The Turkey Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies is seeking an intern for the Fall 2026 term. This role offers the chance to work directly with the Turkey team on research projects. You will assist with analysis regarding Ankara's domestic, security, and foreign policies, along with its regional influence. Interns also participate in a twice-monthly speaker series featuring senior staff members.
What you'll do#
- Work closely with the Turkey team and scholars.
- Assist with research on security, foreign, and domestic policy.
- Examine regional influence and specific Turkey-related issues.
- Engage in a speaker series with senior staff.
What you'll need#
- Previous research experience.
- Ability to conduct research in Turkish.
- Minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Current or completed coursework in International Relations, History, Communications, Journalism, Economics, Political Science, Computer Science, or a STEM field.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and basic Excel skills.
- Availability to commit to at least 22 hours per week.
- Eligibility to work in the United States.
- Knowledge of additional languages like Arabic, Armenian, Greek, Hebrew, Kurdish, or Persian is helpful but not required.
Location & details#
- This internship is based in Washington, DC, with both hybrid and remote options available.
- This is a paid position.
About Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is a nonpartisan research institute located in Washington, DC. It focuses on national security and foreign policy. The organization employs a team of experts from fields such as intelligence, law, and technology to produce research for policymakers and the media. It operates three centers that examine military, economic, and cyber power.
How to get in at Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
Securing an internship at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies requires staying ahead of the application queue. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role is published, which helps you apply among the first before the candidate pool grows large. Applying early ensures your materials are seen while the team is still actively reviewing initial submissions. You can also use Intern Insider to surface the specific recruiters behind these roles. Reaching out directly to ask about the position or to request a referral often improves your response rate compared to submitting an application into a general portal.
