Program Description
The intern program at USTR offers unpaid volunteer opportunities for students, recent graduates, and veterans to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in U.S. trade policy. Intern responsibilities may include conducting research and analysis, compiling statistics, preparing reports and briefing materials, assisting with meeting and conference planning, drafting correspondence, and attending meetings, hearings, or legislative markup sessions. Internship opportunities are available across most departments within the Washington, D.C. office.
Full-time interns are required to work a minimum of 35 hours per week, while part-time interns must commit to between 15-34 hours per week. All selected applicants must work on-site at the Washington, D.C. office, as remote and telework options are not available. Please note that living accommodations and relocation assistance are not provided. However, USTR offers a transportation subsidy to help offset local commuting costs to and from the office.
Eligibility Requirements
Program participants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years or older before the first day of the program, and meet at least one of the three following criteria:
1. Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program at a college, community college, or university (two- to four-year institution).
2. Graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program at a college, community college, or university (two- to four-year institution) no more than two years prior to the first day of the EOP Internship Program.
3. A veteran of the United States Armed Forces who possesses a high school diploma or its equivalent and has served on active duty, for any length of time, no more than two years prior to the first day of the EOP Internship Program.
Note: If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions.
USTR is a drug-free workplace. Recent or current drug use is not acceptable, and selectees will be required to complete a confidential pre-employment security questionnaire that includes questions on alcohol and drug use. The Executive Office of the President reserves the right to disapprove tentative selectees based on screening results.
USTR’s Internship Program supports academic credit requests. While we do not arrange academic credit for you, if your academic institution hosts an academic credit program, we can work with you and your institution to accommodate these actions.
How To Apply
Both part-time and full-time opportunities are typically available during the Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions. Submissions will only be accepted during the application periods outlined below. USTR will accept a maximum number of 100 applications each session, therefore, candidates are encouraged to apply sooner rather than later in the application period.
Summer 2025
• Program Start Date: June 9, 2025
• Program End Date: August 15, 2025
• Application Open: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
• Application Close: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
• Application Link: https://ustr.applytojob.com/apply
Fall 2025
• Program Start Date: TBD
• Program End Date: TBD
• Application Open Date: TBD
• Application Close Date: TBD
• Application Link: https://ustr.applytojob.com/apply
