Korean Peninsula Intelligence Analysis Internship Fall 2026

ISW Internship Program Overview

ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Fall 2026. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. 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.

Why Work for ISW?

ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. Interns work directly with analysts, receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.

Internship Types

• Korean Peninsula Intelligence Analysis Internship
  • Description: Conducts open-source collection and analysis in native language sources, contributing to long-term research projects.
  • Qualifications: Demonstrated expertise in a related field, excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills, strong critical language capabilities in Korean, and ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.

Qualifications

• Motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Strong critical language capabilities in Korean; language capabilities in Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, Russian, and other regional languages are a plus.
• The 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 Information

• Fall 2026 Internship Program Dates: September 8, 2026 - December 11, 2026
• Interns must 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.
• 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. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.

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.
• Candidates should upload a 2- to 3-page cover letter which answers 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?

Contact Information

If you have questions, email internships@understandingwar.org for more information.