Cognitive Warfare Project Internship Fall 2026
Overview
ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Fall 2026. Instructions to apply for the scholarship are below.
About the Role
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. Internships are available across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, and Iran's Axis of Resistance, National Security and Intelligence Analysis, Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies, and non-profit management, including Communications.
Why Work for ISW?
ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. Interns have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policymakers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Interns work directly with analysts, receive classroom education, and engage in leadership opportunities. They also have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community, and tackle the latest crises in the headlines.
Internship Programs
Cognitive Warfare Project Internship: Interns support the new Cognitive Warfare Project (CWP), studying, analyzing, and visualizing adversary cognitive warfare against the United States and its allies. They collect, process, analyze, and synthesize open-source intelligence (OSINT) relating to adversary cognitive campaigns and learn to analyze the cognitive domain and its impact on policymaking, kinetic activities, and strategy.
Qualifications
Demonstrated interest in cognitive and information warfare, disinformation/misinformation, artificial intelligence (AI) and information technology, international affairs, or propaganda and media studies.
Demonstrated interest in national security or regional studies, particularly relating to Russia, Ukraine, Europe, or China.
Strong critical language capabilities in Russian, Ukrainian, or Mandarin.
Experience conducting research using primary sources in a foreign language.
Experience with data visualization tools, large data sets, AI, and data management systems.
Excellent writing, editing, research, and oral communication skills.
Ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
Self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
Commitment to and interest in the core mission and values of ISW.
Application
Please upload your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Your cover letter and writing sample should be no longer than five pages combined; the writing sample can be excerpted from a longer paper.
ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.
To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application.
Scholarship Application
Candidates will be assessed based on their ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.
In the scholarship application, candidates should upload a 2- to 3-page cover letter which answers each of the following questions:
Which ISW internship is your top choice?
Why do you believe you are qualified?
What do you believe to be the most pressing national security problem the US faces today?
What solution(s) would you propose?
Where do you see yourself in your future career? How will an ISW internship help you get there?
Why have you chosen to apply for this supplemental scholarship?
Are you currently receiving federal financial aid and/or need-based aid from your university?
Instructions
ISW internships start on September 8, 2026. The program runs until December 11. Interns must both be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.
Pay and Schedule
This is a full-time internship (five days per week), but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Benefits
ISW will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. Candidates will be assessed based on their ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.