Spring 2026 Federal Fiscal Policy Intern

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a high-caliber strategic policy institute that informs and shapes public policies to reduce poverty, promote equity, and build opportunity. It has a national reputation for conducting rigorous research and analysis, developing evidence-based policy ideas and strategies, shaping a broad array of policy debates at the federal and state levels, and influencing policy outcomes on a range of critical issues. It focuses on improving the lives of people with low or moderate incomes and examines how policies affect particular groups, including Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; immigrants; people with disabilities; and LGBTQ people. CBPP is known for its unique capacity to blend rigorous, timely analysis with effective communications that enable policymakers and the media to make use of its work.    

The Federal Fiscal Policy team informs the debate over federal budget priorities by analyzing major federal budget and tax proposals. The team’s work emphasizes the adequacy of funding for programs that assist people with low and moderate incomes and the effects of tax proposals on households at different income levels. The team also analyzes long-term budget challenges and trends in the level of federal revenues, income distribution, and tax burdens. The Federal Fiscal Policy Intern will assist in the monitoring of related research and policy developments, research subjects related to these policy areas, and collect and analyze economic data.    

Qualifications:   

• Interest in federal fiscal and low-income policy issues. Prior experience with and/or coursework in these issues is preferred but not required.  
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity.
• Strong quantitative and writing skills and some prior research and/or data analysis experience.   
• Strong Excel skills.   
• Strong preference is given to candidates who can work full time (35-40 hours per week) for the duration of the internship. While there is some flexibility to accommodate time zone differences and school commitments, candidates must be available to work at least 30 hours per week during CBPP’s normal business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET) to be considered.   
• Education: Current undergraduate juniors and seniors (including rising juniors and seniors) or recent graduates with a bachelor’s degree, with coursework in economics, math, public policy, computing, or social sciences, are strongly preferred. We will prioritize candidates who are seniors and recent graduates. Undergraduate first-years and sophomores and candidates who have completed a graduate degree will not be considered.    

Successful interns will have a commitment to CBPP’s mission to improve the well-being of people with low and moderate incomes and advance racial equity.  

To expand the diversity of voices that speak with authority in federal and state policy debates, CBPP’s internship program encourages applications from highly motivated candidates — particularly those with experience with communities that are underrepresented in policy debates — with a demonstrated interest in working on public policies that affect low-income and diverse communities and have implications for racial equity.     

International students are welcome to apply. The Center does not provide financial sponsorship for visas or work permits. You must have documentation of work authorization for the U.S. AND a U.S. Social Security number, as of the start date of the internship, to be employed by the Center. 

Application Deadline: October 24, 2025, 11:59 p.m. ET         

Internship Start Date: January 13, 2026      

Internship End Date: May 8, 2026 

CBPP's spring internship will be remote. Remote interns must be in the U.S. for the duration of the internship. Interns located in the Washington, D.C. metro area during the spring term may have the option to work on a hybrid schedule that includes at least two days per week in person at our D.C. office.  

Work Hours: Interns should be available between 30-40 hours per week during core Eastern Time business hours. Work schedules can be flexed to accommodate time zone differences as well as classwork and other school commitments. 

Compensation:          

• Undergraduate students receive $18.00 per hour.        
• Students with a bachelor's degree receive $19.00 per hour.        
• Graduate students receive $20.00 per hour.        
• Students with a master’s or law degree receive $21.00 per hour.         
• Doctoral students may receive between $20.00 and $22.00 per hour, depending on progress toward completion of degree requirements, relevant coursework, and research.   

Required application materials:      

• Cover letter that includes responses to the following questions:
  • CBPP advances policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity. What draws you to CBPP’s mission and its work to advance equity?
  • Why are you interested in interning with the Federal Fiscal Policy team?
  • What relevant experiences and/or coursework have prepared you for this internship? Please elaborate on the skills and knowledge you developed through these experiences.
• Résumé   
• Transcript(s)     

Only complete applications submitted electronically through our system will be considered. Once you submit your application, you will receive an electronic confirmation. Applications submitted by mail or email will not be accepted. Visit https://www.cbpp.org/internships for more information about CBPP’s internship program. No phone calls, please.      

If you have read all of the information on the website about internships at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and still have an inquiry about the application process, please email internship@cbpp.org.