US Policy Internship - Summer 2026

The Future of Privacy Forum (“FPF”) is a non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for privacy leadership and scholarship, advancing principled data practices in support of emerging technologies. FPF brings together industry, academics, consumer advocates, and other thought leaders to explore the challenges posed by technological innovation and develop privacy protections, ethical norms and workable business practices. As “data optimists,” we believe that the power of data for good is a net benefit to society, and that it can be well-managed to control risks and offer the best protections and empowerment to consumers and individuals. 

FPF seeks legal, policy, and technical interns to support the US Policy team and its policy staff. The US policy team engages in a wide variety of issue areas related to the intersection of privacy, emerging technology, and evolving commercial business practices. This includes, for example, researching and analyzing the impact of new technologies, advising companies on emerging data practices, engaging with policymakers and partners, and conducting a variety of legal, technical, and policy research and thought leadership. Issue portfolios may include – but are not limited to –connected vehicles, online advertising, deidentification standards, algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI/ML), biometrics, and emerging regulation (law).

Please read this page carefully for information on the internship structures, compensation, and requirements. 

Internship Structure: 

Summer: Typically, FPF’s summer interns participate in a 10-week Internship Program in Washington, DC that is full-time (40 hours/week) and runs from early June to mid-August. Summer Interns are invited to work from the Washington, DC office, where our office’s policy is at least two days per week in-person. Although we recommend coming to Washington, DC for the social and professional experience, we also welcome fully remote candidates from anywhere in the United States. FPF is a hybrid workplace with several policy leaders who work remotely, including from the San Francisco, Denver, and Orlando/Tampa areas. 

What We Look For:

• We welcome students of any graduate-level academic or professional background (typically, this includes law students, MA/MBA, PhD students in a policy-related field, and/or career professionals). The only “must have” is a demonstrated interest in privacy and data protection. 
• We are not currently accepting applications from undergraduate students.

 Compensation:

• FPF policy is to compensate interns, unless a student is receiving other funding (e.g. from their institution), or is choosing to receive academic credit from an institution that does not allow them to be compensated.
• Summer interns are paid at a rate of $2,500 per month, pro-rated for partial months of work.

Application Requirements and Process:

• Please submit: We require candidates to submit a Cover Letter and Resume in PDF format through the FPF Career Center (links below). Writing samples are optional. No academic transcripts please. All materials must be in PDF format to be considered. Please submit each document separately in the field provided.
• Applications are reviewed throughout the year to fill positions on a rolling basis (so we encourage applying early). A link to apply for each semester is typically provided 3-6 months before the deadline for each semester. If you previously submitted an application, and would like your application to be moved to a different semester or new materials added, please email HR@fpf.org. 
• Top candidates will be contacted with an invitation to join a 30-minute Zoom interview. Candidates for the Summer Program may also receive a short writing prompt assignment. 
• No AI in Hiring: Please note that although our Career Center provides a standard disclosure about the potential use of AI tools to screen materials, we do not use these features.

FPF is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that supports employees professionally and personally through our employment practices and benefits offerings. We encourage applications from individuals who represent a variety of backgrounds based on sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, and other factors protected by law. If we can make the application process easier through accommodation in the recruitment process, please reach out to HR@fpf.org.