2027 Summer Internship

About the role

FIRE’s 10‑week, paid Summer Internship Program gives undergraduate students a hands‑on opportunity to defend civil liberties and advance free speech. Interns do meaningful work alongside staff, receive mentorship, participate in weekly seminars with leading experts on freedom of expression, and help execute some of FIRE’s most important student programs of the year. Interns work full‑time at FIRE’s Philadelphia office. The 2027 program runs from Tuesday, June 1 through Friday, August 6, 2027. Interns receive a $6,400 stipend and additional compensation for their work as counselors during FIRE’s Free Speech Forum. The program is highly competitive; FIRE typically selects just 8–12 interns from hundreds of applicants each year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and students are encouraged to apply early. Applications open October 19, 2026 and close Sunday, January 3, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Qualifications

• Rising sophomore, junior, or senior attending a college or university in the United States
• Strong interest in free speech and civil liberties
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
• Responsible, organized, eager to take initiative, and willing to engage with ideas and viewpoints they may disagree with
• Ability to work under pressure and a sense of humor
• Collaborative, open to feedback, and excited to contribute to a team (interns work closely as a cohort)

Responsibilities

• Work closely with FIRE’s student development, defense, policy reform, legislation, development, and media teams to assist with research and administrative projects
• Assist with the planning and execution of the FIRE Student Network Summer Conference (July 2027, Philadelphia) and lead educational and interactive sessions for attendees
• Serve as a residential counselor during the Free Speech Forum, providing supervision, mentorship, and facilitation of educational activities centered on free speech
• Contribute to FIRE’s Newsdesk
• Participate in weekly seminars with FIRE staff and other experts on civil liberties, learning foundational arguments for protecting core rights; written responses are evaluated on clarity, style, and quality

Selection Timeline

• October 19, 2026: Applications open
• January 3, 2027, 11:59 p.m. ET: Applications close
• By January 20, 2027: Finalists invited to in‑person interview round
• February 25–27, 2027: Final interviews and Student Development Conference in Florida (FIRE covers travel and lodging)
• Beginning March 5, 2027: Offers extended

Frequently Asked Questions

• What does an average day in the life of a FIRE intern look like?

  Interns typically start the day catching up on and discussing recent news. Throughout the day, they collaborate with various FIRE staffers to support FIRE’s response to breaking news and ongoing defense of free speech. Work includes both individual and team projects across functions such as development, conference planning, education, and outreach. Interns also take part in educational sessions with FIRE staff and free‑speech experts.

• Is the FIRE internship open to high school students, graduate students, law students, or international students?

  No. The internship is open only to undergraduate students who will be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors and who attend colleges or universities in the United States.

• Will FIRE provide housing?

  No. Housing and transportation during the internship are the responsibility of individual interns. FIRE’s office is centrally located in Philadelphia with a variety of housing and public‑transportation options nearby; past interns have found summer housing through university programs, sublets, and local housing groups.

• Can I complete the internship remotely or in a hybrid format?

  No. The Summer Internship Program is fully in person at FIRE’s Philadelphia office.

• What are the required hours?

  The internship requires a full‑time commitment of 40 hours per week. Regular office hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interns must be available for the entire 10‑week program, June 1 through August 6, 2027.

• Are the start and end dates flexible?

  No. Interns must participate for the full 10‑week term; adjustments to start or end dates cannot be accommodated. The cohort experience is integral, and the summer calendar includes speakers, seminars, conferences, and professional‑development opportunities, so interns should not plan vacations or extended time away during the program.

• Is previous camp counselor experience required?

  No. Prior experience as a camp counselor, resident adviser, teacher, coach, mentor, or similar supervisory role can strengthen an application, but qualified students are encouraged to apply regardless.

• What does the interview process look like?

  The process consists of two virtual interview rounds followed by an in‑person finalist interview in Florida. Finalists interview with FIRE staff and participate in FIRE’s Student Development Conference; FIRE covers travel and lodging. Students studying abroad during the final round may participate virtually via Google Meet.

• What makes a strong application and FIRE intern?

  Strong applicants demonstrate excellent writing and communication skills, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and an interest in free speech and civil liberties. They enjoy working with a team, are receptive to feedback, and are self‑starters who seek out ways to contribute—equally willing to handle small tasks and lead major projects.

Questions about FIRE’s Summer Internship Program can be sent to internship@thefire.org.