Russia & Ukraine Intelligence Analysis 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, Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies, our Cognitive Warfare Project, and 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, 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.

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 Russian; Ukrainian language capabilities are a plus.
• Able 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.

Internship Details

• Russia & Ukraine Intelligence Analysis Internship: Conduct daily collection and analysis of open-source information in native language sources, contributing to long-term research projects, and assisting with publications and events.

Application Process

• Upload your resume, cover letter, and writing sample (no more than five pages combined).
• For the scholarship, upload a 2- to 3-page cover letter addressing the provided questions.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during the internship tenure.
• Students on a student visa must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW.

Scholarship Information

ISW will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. Candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.

Contact

Email internships@understandingwar.org for more information.