Undergraduate Opportunities

Applied Policy Research Internship

During the spring semester, The Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy is pleased to provide resources to support one public policy or IAPA concentrator as an Applied Policy Research Intern at The Policy Lab at Brown University. The intern will receive a stipend of $2,500.

Successful Applied Policy Research Intern candidates will be intellectually curious and highly-motivated, with strengths in written and verbal communication, research, and quantitative analysis. Skills in one or more of the following are also highly favored: data cleaning, handling, and coding; quantitative analysis; project/time management; stakeholder engagement; policy analysis and report writings. We also require that interns are committed to an environment of diversity and inclusion.

Brown Semester Internship Programs

The Brown Semester Internship Program combines a 12-week internship experience and academic coursework for the fall semester. Students have the opportunity to gain direct experience in a dynamic field, immerse themselves in a new culture and community, and collaborate with fellow Brown students in small cohorts. 

In Fall 2023, Brown Semester Internship programs are offered in the following locations:

• Berlin, Germany                                  
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Dublin, Ireland                                     
• Los Angeles, California

Students can also opt to arrange their own internship in a location of their choosing in the Brown Semester Internship Program, Open Campus option.

Center for Contemporary South Asia Undergraduate Research and Internships

The purpose of undergraduate summer funding is to facilitate research for a senior thesis or to provide internship experience with an academic or civil society organization. Students are invited to propose work with any organization or indicate their interest in one of the Center’s partners by contacting our Center Manger. Students who are unsure of where they would like to intern or are interested in one of the initiative's partners are encouraged to discuss their interests with a faculty member as early as possible. Students who already have made contact with an organization are required to attach a letter of interest from the organization. Details about the Center’s partners, such as Janaagraha (Bangalore) and Centre for Policy Research (Delhi), and PRADAN (various) can be found on our partners page.

China Initiative Undergraduate Summer Research Awards

China Initiative Undergraduate Summer Research Awards support thesis research by Brown undergraduates whose focus of study is Greater China. The awards support archival, library, and on-site field research in Mainland China or Taiwan; in exceptional cases, the awards might be used to research in other global locales relevant to the topic. 

Governor Frank Licht Internship

During the spring semester, two public policy or IAPA concentrators will be named the Governor Frank Licht '38 interns and will work with Rhode Island legislature.

The Licht interns will each receive a stipend of $2,500 through an endowment by the family of the late Governor Frank Licht '38.

Happy and John Hazen White, Sr. Internship

Stipends are awarded based on academic performance and on the proposed integration of the internship with future academic work. Preference will be given to students who have not already received a White award. You may apply for a White internship without having secured a definite position with an organization (you may list several options on the application). 

Human Rights Watch Internship

The Program Office of Human Rights Watch (HRW) is seeking a Brown undergraduate student intern for summer 2023 in one of our US offices (New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, or Los Angeles). Ideally, the candidate will be available beginning in mid-to-late May 2023 through August 2023 (dates and hours are flexible). The student will intern closely with the health and human rights team in the Program Office. The student will assist with research and advocacy on global health and rights. Learn more about this internship.

International Crisis Group UN Advocacy Internship

The position is primarily administrative in nature but offers an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience in a high profile international NGO and to learn about the country specific and thematic issues as well as the UN system. Learn more about this internship.

International Internship Placement – The Gammadda Movement

Gammadda, loosely translating to the “heart of the village” was born from the idea of connectivity. Of bridging the political, economical, religious and cultural divide to find those truly in need. After years of broken promises from successive Governments, News 1st began the Gammadda initiative and it has become not just a word, but a symbol of hope of an entire nation. In all of Sri Lanka’s history, this is the largest ongoing humanitarian initiative TODAY. Rural Sri Lanka is an enigma. Over 35,000 villages, crossdivided into a myriad administrative region ranging from 09 Provinces to 14,000+ GS Divisions. Each village, each locality, has its own endemic challenges. Understanding these issues is a profound undertaking that requires an investment in time, and hard miles. The uniqueness of Gammadda is, it listens to the people first. This is our core strength. We walk for thousands of miles each year, spending time with the people. Listening to their problems but equally importantly, to their solutions. It is learnings gleaned out of these experiences that we use to as the foundation of our rural development projects. Learn more about this internship.

Jack Ringer Summer in Southeast Asia Fellowship

The Jack Ringer Summer in Southeast Asia Fellowship is made possible through the generosity of Jack Ringer '52, who served in Burma after graduating from Brown. The award supports summer travel to Southeast Asia to conduct research or work in an internship.

John P Birkelund Fund For Diplomacy

The fund will support student internships related to foreign policy and diplomacy, research projects, symposia, and lectures on topics related to diplomacy. 

KoChon Fund

A permanent endowment administered by the Watson Institute, the KoChon fund is utilized for a wide variety of research and academic activities related to Korea. For undergraduates, the Institute accepts applications to advance student research interests on Korean topics, offering one to two awards per year, which include the option of pursuing field research in Korea.

Language Study Grants

Financial support for off-campus language learning, with priority given to immersive language programs, and with special consideration given to the study of languages not formally offered at Brown.

Marla Ruzicka International Public Service Fellowship

The Marla Ruzicka International Fellowship supports the summer plans of one Brown undergraduate who displays the characteristics of compassion, determination, and selflessness in the pursuit of international human rights, post-conflict rehabilitation, or international public service in its most noble spirit, and whose summer plans reflect those traits.

Michael Bhatia Fund for Peace-keeping and Conflict Studies

Established in memory of Michael Vinay Bhatia '99, who died in May 2008 in Afghanistan, where he was working as a social scientist in consultation with the U.S. military, the Fund underwrites field work, study abroad, or thesis research by IR concentrators working on peace-keeping and conflict studies. It is awarded to a student who, like Michael Bhatia '99, hopes to deepen his/her understanding of a region or culture by traveling and studying there, with the ultimate goal of helping to promote cross-cultural understanding that might end or avert violence or military conflict. 

Noah Krieger ’93 Internship

This award provides a $4,000 stipend for an outstanding public policy concentrator who is particularly interested in public service to pursue an eight-week unpaid summer internship.

Project HOPE Summer 2023 Internship

This internship position will be tailored to the individual student’s interest. Potential options for placements include working with Project HOPE’s Global Health International Programs, Emergency Response, New Business Development, or Monitoring and Evaluation teams. The internships will help students gain project driven professional and practical experience. This is open to undergraduate interested in supporting and contributing to substantive Project HOPE Programs, Projects, and Initiatives. Learn more about this internship.

Richard C. Barker '57 LHD'09 hon., P'03, P'05 Award for International and Public Affairs

Financial support for undergraduate students concentrating in International and Public Affairs for senior thesis research, research related to independent work, conference participation, internships, and/or travel.

Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia Winter Research & Travel Funds

Subject to university guidelines regarding spending and travel, the Saxena Center for Contemporary South Asia would like to offer winter research and travel awards of up to $3,000 to graduate and undergraduate students of Brown University. Students in any discipline whose research develops knowledge about South Asia may apply. Pending university guidelines funds may be used for  travel to visit archives or conduct fieldwork where possible, attend conferences virtually or in person, language training, unanticipated research expenses due to COVID-19, or other non-travel efforts to further one's research during these challenging times. It is highly recommended that students review current university travel policies as it may be necessary to submit your travel plans for university review in October or early November, even before the committee has reached a decision about awards. Please reach out to stephanie_abbott@brown.edu with questions.

Stone Inequality Initiative Funding

The Stone Inequality Initiative invites undergraduate and graduate proposals for internships, research grants, collaboration with faculty or other student projects. The funds are available to students from any discipline. Work should be focused, broadly, on the issues surrounding great wealth in American society, on the American gilded age(s). Ten awards are available.  

Please submit a letter in which you describe the proposed project, your proposed budget and the name of a faculty mentor or committee chair.   

We will accept applications immediately and make the awards on a rolling basis.  

Please send applications or inquires to alberto_alcaraz_escarcega@brown.edu.

Summer 2023 Internship at the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack

GCPEA is seeking an intern to support the Monitoring and Reporting Team in conducting research for the Education under Attack 2024 report. The intern will conduct research on at least ten countries experiencing attacks on education in 2023. The intern will be listed as a contributor to the Education under Attack 2024 report (release date in Spring 2024). The intern will gain extensive knowledge of the problem of attacks on education and their related contexts, as well as broader understanding of children’s rights and the right to education. The intern will also become familiar with the organization’s priority human rights and advocacy issues, including the Children and Armed Conflict agenda at the United Nations, and methods for monitoring and reporting. Finally, the intern will be introduced to a range of research tools and databases and receive training on their use. 

The internship is virtual and the candidate should be available approximately 35 hours a week, aligning with summer vacation at Brown University. Learn more about this internship.

Watson Research and Travel Grant

Awards that support academic activities for IR students—for example, senior thesis research, research related to independent work, conference participation, internships, and special projects. Students must complete an online application, including resume, transcript, and personal statement, secure an internship that is unpaid or pays $1,000 or less (includes salary, housing, and transportation) if the application is for an internship, and complete post-award requirements.

Air Force Academy Assembly Conference

Mellon Simulation Project

Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC)

Student Conference on U.S. Affairs (SCUSA)

Middle East Studies Undergraduate Fellowship Awards

Taubman Center Undergraduate Research Fellowship on Political Underrepresentation

The Taubman Center for American Politics and Politics is pleased to provide resources to students interested in research on ​political ​underrepresentation​ at the city, state, or federal level. This fellowship of $2,500 will be awarded to five students per semester, and will provide research funding ​to​​ ​undergraduate students who have experience in, or a commitment to, working with issues relating to underserved communities​. 

Application Deadline: February 15th
Contact: Samantha Griffin