KIP Summer 2026 - Communications Intern - Competitive Enterprise Institute

The Koch Internship Program (KIP) is a paid, 12-week experiential learning program run by Stand Together Fellowships that offers meaningful work experience at non-profits all over the United States tackling some of our nation's most pressing challenges. Eligible candidates will be geographically located within the U.S. and authorized to work in the U.S. through the duration of the program.

Throughout your internship, you will gain meaningful professional experience at a partner organization and participate in professional development built around a 2-day, in-person summit hosted by Stand Together Fellowships at Stand Together's Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, supported by virtual programming that takes place every other Thursday between 1- 3:30 pm ET. Interns will receive either a $7,500 or $5,500 stipend from Stand Together Fellowships depending on whether they are participating full-time (40 hours/week) or part-time (24 hours/week).

The programming provided by Stand Together Fellowships focuses on three objectives:

1. understanding the foundational principles of a free society such as individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and the rule of law;
2. learning the Stand Together community's vision for change and how a principled approach to problem solving can help address society's biggest challenges; and
3. presenting opportunities and pathways to build a career that advances liberty and free society.

Successful candidates will interview with both our non-profit partner organizations and Stand Together Fellowships staff, so we strongly encourage you to apply in advance!

Please note that all Koch Internship Program interns MUST be available every Thursday from 1-3:30 PM ET for virtual professional development training AND the in-person summit at Stand Together's Headquarters in Arlington, VA June 3-4.

About Competitive Enterprise Institute:

The Competitive Enterprise Institute is a nonprofit think tank based in Washington which focuses on critical economic and regulatory policy issues.

CEI’s internship program provides interested students and recent graduates the opportunity to learn about and promote the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and individual liberty. A CEI internship gives applicants the opportunity to work alongside some of the most prominent regulatory affairs scholars and policy specialists.

CEI offers a number of internships across the various policy areas we work on, as well as internships in communications and marketing. Generally, CEI’s policy interns are assigned to work with a specific CEI expert for the duration of their internship; and our communications and marketing interns work with the CEI staff of each respective team.

CEI’s internship program is an invaluable educational experience. We work with interns to help them grow professionally, hone their skills, and cultivate lasting relationships. Ultimately, our goal is to give interns work that will help them further their careers. Interns are encouraged to be proactive, and exceptional interns are often given the freedom to shape their experience with us and the possibility to explore other opportunities at CEI.

Past CEI interns have gone on to work in the executive and legislative branches, federal regulatory agencies, academia, and at prominent research institutions and think tanks. A number of current CEI staff are former CEI interns.

You can find out more about CEI here and learn about our history here. You can see our team of experts here, and see some of our work here and here.

Communications Intern:
Communications interns assist with publication editing, op-ed pitching, news monitoring, media/press tracking and reporting, and general promotion of CEI’s research and analysis.

Qualifications:
Applicants must have a strong interest in policy and politics, capitalism and economics, and libertarian/conservative principles. Applicants must have strong research, writing, and organizational skills. Applicants must possess a professional demeanor and the ability to handle confidential and private information. Applicants should be able to work independently, effectively, and efficiently. A basic understanding of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is a must.

CEI also seeks interns to work on policy/research, marketing - and from time to time, philanthropy/fundraising, government affairs, events, litigation, and IT. During the interview, we would be more than happy to discuss these other opportunities if they are available and of interest to you!

This role is in person, in Washington, D.C.

Stand Together Fellowships believes that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. Our admissions office treats all program participants and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of color, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.