Center for a New American Security

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) develops strong, pragmatic and principled national security and defense policies that promote and protect American interests and values. Building on the deep expertise and broad experience of its staff and advisors, CNAS engages policymakers, experts and the public with innovative fact-based research, ideas and analysis to shape and elevate the national security debate. As an independent and nonpartisan research institution, CNAS leads efforts to help inform and prepare the national security leaders of today and tomorrow. CNAS is located in Washington, D.C., and was established in February 2007 by Co-founders Kurt Campbell and Michele Flournoy.

About the Program

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) established its flagship internship and mentoring program in honor of Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr., who has devoted his career to the preparation and mentoring of generations of Americans and global strategists.  The CNAS Joseph S. Nye, Jr. National Security Internship aims to follow Dr. Nye's leadership in this area by selecting six to eight up and coming practioners and policy makers in the national security field.  Candidates have the opportunity to apply for research, external relations, or development internships. Selected interns are given front row seats to some of the hottest national security debates and are actively involved in all the Center's activities, policy research, and report development.  

CNAS offers full-time (40 hrs/week) unpaid internships. In rare cases, part-time unpaid internships may be arranged. Competition for the six to eight spots is very tough. Interns work closely with CNAS staff and are given considerable responsibility. Participants are chosen based on merit in an open, competitive process.

Available Internships

Research Internship: Joseph S. Nye, Jr. Research Interns work directly with specific programs including Natural Security, Asia Pacific, Future of the U.S. Military, the wars we're fighting (violent extremism, Iraq, Afghanistan-Pakistan), the contested global commons, nuclear proliferation, and U.S. national security policy. Please refer to the projects on our website and let us know which projects and topic areas interest you the most and why in your cover letter. We will do our best to pair selected interns with projects of their interest. 

External Relations Internship: Joseph S. Nye, Jr. External Relations Interns work directly with the External Relations team on media relations and monitoring, strategic communications, event planning and execution, website development, web 2.0 initiatives, writing marketing materials, copy editing, and external relations writ large.  Candidates with demonstrated interests in communications, journalism, web and print design, public relations, and most importantly the mission of CNAS are encouraged to apply.  Ideal candidates will be highly motivated, technically savvy, detail oriented; and have excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Development Internship: The Joseph S. Nye, Jr. Development Intern works with the Director of Development on donor and prospect outreach, communications and marketing collaterals, tracking and writing proposals and letters, scheduling internal and external meetings, tracking and processing internal fundraising activities, event planning, assisting with establishing new procedures and infrastructure, and other responsibilities related to fundraising. As CNAS is a small non-profit organization, development-related activities and donor cultivation are critical aspects of our day-to-day activities and long-term planning, providing the ideal candidate with an opportunity to understand the organization as a whole.  The ideal candidate has excellent verbal and written communications skills, self-motivated, able to handle sensitive and confidential information, and an interest in the mission of CNAS.

Writers-in-Residence Research Internship: The Joseph S. Nye, Jr. Writers-in-Residence Research Intern will work closely with Thom Shanker and Eric Schmitt of The New York Times on their upcoming book.  While at CNAS, Schmitt and Shanker will complete their co-authored book Counterstrike, which examines the evolution of U.S. counter-terrorism strategy since September 11, 2009.   The ideal candidate has a strong background in national security studies – particularly counter-terrorism policy, excellent verbal and written communications skills, self-motivated, able to handle sensitive and confidential information, quickly masters new materials, and transcription ability.  While not obligatory, professional experience in government, military, and intelligence; Arabic fluency; and journalism experience are all desirable.

NOTE: Unlike our other internships, this is a 6 month internship for November 1, 2009 – April 30, 2010.

Academic Credit

Interns may earn academic credit and are responsible for working out this arrangement with their academic institution and the Center's internship coordinator. Interns are responsible for obtaining their own housing.  

Applicants with Non-U.S. Citizenship

All new hires, when applying, are required to present appropriate identifying documents and documentation of authorization to work in the United States. Interns are responsible for obtaining their own travel and visa arrangements; CNAS does not serve as a sponsor for intern work authorization.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, please inform yourself as to the options available for gaining work authorization, the costs, and the time frame.

Deadlines

If you anticipate requesting a variance from the specified internship dates, or if you are available and flexible to start earlier, please indicate this in your cover letter.

A complete application includes:

• cover letter clearly stating internship to which you are applying
• resume
• university-level transcripts (official or unofficial)

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.