The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is accepting applications for its internship program, offering students, graduates, and early-career professionals an opportunity to gain practical experience in migration policy research and communications.
Through the Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program, interns can work with MPI on issues including immigration, refugee policy, integration, labor migration, international migration, and public communications.
One of the major advantages of the program is its flexibility. Internships can be completed remotely or in person, and opportunities are available to people residing outside the United States.
Full-time interns receive a $1,472 biweekly stipend, while part-time participants receive a prorated stipend.
About the Migration Policy Institute Internship Program
The Migration Policy Institute created its internship program to provide professional development opportunities while bringing emerging researchers and communications professionals into its work.
The program is named after MPI founding president Demetrios G. Papademetriou and aims to help train the next generation of migration and communications leaders.
Internships are available both remotely and in person, giving applicants greater flexibility depending on where they live.
The program is divided into research and communications opportunities.
Research Internship Opportunities
Research interns can work within several MPI program areas.
U.S. Immigration
This area examines policies and trends involving issues such as:
- Asylum and refugee pathways
- Border management
- Immigration enforcement
- Temporary and permanent legal immigration
- Unauthorized immigration
- Employment outcomes
- Immigration, demographic and economic trends
- Immigration policy reform
International Migration
Interns working in international migration may contribute to comparative analysis involving:
- Immigration and integration policies
- Refugee resettlement
- Asylum
- Immigrant integration
- Labor-market integration
- Social cohesion
- Labor migration
- Borders and mobility
- Migration and development
- Returns and reintegration
U.S. Immigrant Integration
This program covers issues including:
- Early childhood education and care
- Dual Language Learners
- English Learners
- K–12 immigrant education
- Adult education
- Workforce development
- State and local integration policies
- Language-access policy
Latin America and Caribbean Initiative
Research in this area focuses on migration developments across Latin America and the Caribbean.
Topics can include mixed migration flows, migration-management systems, regional development policies and immigrant integration.
The initiative has particular interests in areas including northern Central America, Venezuela, Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia.
Applicants interested in this program area should note that written proficiency and oral fluency in Spanish are required.
Refugee and Forced Displacement Initiative
This initiative examines policy and program approaches involving refugees and forced displacement.
Its research includes refugee agency and lived experience, livelihoods and self-reliance, host-country integration, and the role of faith in responses to displacement.
What Do Research Interns Do?
Research interns contribute directly to MPI’s policy and research activities.
Responsibilities may include:
- Conducting quantitative or qualitative research
- Contributing to policy analysis
- Drafting papers
- Preparing literature summaries
- Supporting events
- Summarizing hearings and other events
- Completing light administrative tasks
These responsibilities can provide valuable experience for people considering careers in public policy, migration research, international affairs, academia, or related fields.
Communications Internship
MPI also offers a dedicated communications internship.
Rather than concentrating on one research program, communications interns can gain exposure to work taking place across the Institute.
Responsibilities include:
- Tracking media coverage
- Developing social media campaigns
- Creating visual assets
- Supporting event organization and execution
- Promoting the Migration Information Source magazine
- Producing short-form written content
- Potentially assisting with multimedia editing
This opportunity may particularly appeal to students and early-career professionals interested in communications, journalism, digital media, public relations, or policy communications.
Internship Duration
MPI internships last approximately four months.
There are three internship cycles each year:
Spring: January–April
Summer: May–August
Fall: September–December
There is some flexibility regarding individual start and end dates.
This structure allows applicants to select a cycle that works with their academic or professional schedules.
How Much Are MPI Interns Paid?
Full-time interns receive a $1,472 biweekly stipend.
Part-time interns receive a prorated stipend based on their working arrangement.
Students may also be able to arrange academic credit for their internship.
Applicants should note that MPI does not cover relocation expenses.
Both full-time and part-time positions are available, although full-time participation is sought for the U.S. Immigrant Integration and Communications internships.
Can You Complete the Internship Remotely?
Yes.
MPI internships can be completed either remotely or in person.
The ability to participate remotely is particularly useful for applicants who do not live near MPI’s Washington, D.C. office.
MPI also states that internships are available to individuals residing outside the United States.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants for MPI internships should generally be at least a junior in college and have strong written and oral communication skills.
MPI welcomes applications from:
- Current university students
- College graduates
- Graduate students
- Early-career professionals
People without college experience may also be considered if they can demonstrate substantial relevant professional experience.
Additional skills that can strengthen an application include:
- Foreign-language ability
- Strong quantitative skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other relevant software
- Research experience
- Strong analytical writing skills
MPI particularly encourages applicants from immigrant or refugee backgrounds and applicants from underrepresented groups to apply.
Can International Applicants Apply?
Applicants do not necessarily need to be U.S. citizens.
However, applicants planning to work from within the United States must already have authorization to work in the country before their internship begins.
Those who reside and work from outside the United States throughout their internship cycle may also apply under MPI’s stated conditions.
Importantly, MPI does not sponsor exchange visitors and cannot provide supporting documents for applicants seeking H-1B, J-1, H-3, or F-1 visas.
Applicants should carefully consider these requirements when determining whether they are eligible.
Application Requirements
Applicants must complete MPI’s online application form and separately submit supporting documents.
Required documents include:
CV or Résumé
Applicants should provide an updated résumé or CV highlighting relevant education, professional experience, research, skills, and other accomplishments.
Cover Letter
The cover letter can be a maximum of two single-spaced pages.
Applicants should explain their personal or professional interest in migration or another relevant public-policy issue.
They should also identify the MPI program area or areas they would like to be considered for and explain relevant academic, research or professional experience.
Writing Sample
Applicants must provide an English-language writing sample of no more than five single-spaced pages.
The sample should demonstrate clear and analytical writing about migration, refugee issues, integration or another public-policy topic.
Suitable examples can include:
- Academic papers
- Policy memos
- Research reports
- Published articles
Applicants submitting part of a longer piece should select sections that best demonstrate their analytical and writing abilities.
Academic Transcript
Applicants must provide official or unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, showing courses and grades.
Important: MPI’s AI Policy for Applications
Applicants should pay particular attention to MPI’s application policy concerning artificial intelligence.
MPI states that application materials must represent the applicant’s authentic abilities and voice.
According to the Institute, using AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude to write or substantially revise application materials will result in disqualification.
Applicants should therefore prepare their cover letters, writing samples and other written application materials independently.
Application Deadline
MPI has three general internship deadlines:
- October 15 — Spring internships
- February 15 — Summer internships
- June 15 — Fall internships
For the currently advertised Spring 2027 internship cycle, applicants must submit their required materials by:
October 15, 2026.
The Spring cycle generally runs from January through April 2027.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must first complete MPI’s online application form.
They must then separately submit their:
- CV/résumé
- Cover letter
- Writing sample
- Academic transcripts
For the Spring 2027 application, MPI instructs candidates to use the subject-line format:
First Name Last Name_Spring 2027
Applicants should carefully check that all required materials have been included before submitting their application.
Why Consider an MPI Internship?
The Migration Policy Institute internship program offers an opportunity to build professional experience in a policy-focused organization while developing research, writing, communications and analytical skills.
Research interns can work on issues ranging from U.S. immigration and refugee policy to international migration and immigrant integration.
Communications interns can develop experience in social media, media monitoring, events, short-form writing and multimedia communications.
The combination of a $1,472 biweekly stipend, remote and in-person options, part-time and full-time arrangements, and international participation possibilities makes the program worth considering for eligible students, graduates and early-career professionals interested in migration and public policy.
Final Thoughts
The Migration Policy Institute Internship Program 2027 provides paid opportunities for people interested in migration research, public policy and communications.
Internships typically last four months, with Spring, Summer, and Fall cycles available throughout the year.
For the Spring 2027 cycle, applications are due October 15, 2026.
Prospective applicants should start preparing early, particularly because the application requires a résumé, cover letter, analytical writing sample, and academic transcripts.
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