What are the responsibilities and job description for the Policy Research Intern (Volunteer) position at Alliance for American Leadership (A4AL)?
Company Description
The Alliance for American Leadership (A4AL.org) is a grassroots coalition of foreign policy experts, veterans, and young professionals dedicated to revitalizing American leadership. We believe international humanitarian and development assistance strengthens U.S. national security, boosts our economy, and upholds the values that define our country.
Our members support policy changes to bolster foreign aid and elect members of Congress on both sides of the aisle who support diplomacy and development. We recently held a Hill Day at the Capitol with over 130 advocates from across the country. We also held a bipartisan press conference with Reps. Jamie Raskin, Brian Fitzpatrick, Mike Conaway, and James Walkinshaw. We're seeking Policy Research Interns to build the evidence base for the next era of American development policy.
About the Internship
As a Policy Research Intern, you will conduct research on global health, food security, and humanitarian response, and support our Future of Foreign Aid Working Group, where former senior USAID officials are drafting what comes after the current crisis. Your work will inform policy briefs, congressional testimony, and public campaigns.
Key Responsibilities
You will research the humanitarian and public health consequences of foreign aid cuts and draft policy briefs, memos, and backgrounders. You will support the Future of Foreign Aid Working Group alongside former USAID experts, fact-check statistics, and summarize academic literature, think tank reports, and program evaluations. You will also draft letters to the editor that connect research to local audiences.
Qualifications
We are looking for volunteers with strong research and analytical writing skills and a real interest in global health, development, and humanitarian policy. Coursework in public policy, economics, or public health is a plus, as is familiarity with the progressive policy and advocacy space.
Locations, Hours, and Compensation
The Alliance for American Leadership runs a remote internship program as well as an in-person program in Washington, D.C.; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Interns can choose to work virtually or in person at any of our locations. Many of our interns work 40 hours per week, and we encourage you to treat this as a full-time job if you can; however, some work part-time.
This is an unpaid, voluntary internship. We’re happy to help arrange academic credit or CPT.
Our Impact
When foreign aid disappears, people die. HIV treatment gets interrupted, food programs shutter, and clinics close. Researchers project millions of preventable deaths this decade if these cuts stand. Your research helps us prove it and stop it.
Opportunities for Experienced Leaders
We’re also seeking professionals to join our Advisory Board and leadership team. Learn more at a4al.org or connect with us on LinkedIn.