Turkey Research Fall 2025 Internship

Internship Opportunities

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is a nonpartisan policy institute dedicated exclusively to promoting pluralism, defending democratic values, and fighting the ideologies that threaten democracy. The organization was founded shortly after 9/11 by a group of visionary philanthropists and policymakers to engage in the worldwide war of ideas and to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by terrorism and anti-Western groups. FDD combines policy research, investigative journalism, strategic communications, and democracy and counterterrorism education.

About FDD's Internship Program

Based in downtown Washington, D.C., the Foundation for Defense of Democracies has a number of internship opportunities available. All FDD interns will have the opportunity to participate in a twice-monthly speaker series, which brings high-level DC officials and senior staff members to engage with interns in an intimate setting. FDD interns will be encouraged to build on their academic skills by working closely with senior staff. FDD is also happy to assist students who wish to earn academic credit for this internship. All internships are unpaid.

*During this time, FDD's internship program will move forward with remote and hybrid internship opportunities for the Fall 2025 semester.*

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. It is recommended that interested candidates submit applications early.

The Turkey Program 

The Turkey Program is seeking a full-time or part-time intern. The intern will work closely with our Turkey team, including Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Sinan Ciddi, to assist with research on Ankara's domestic, security, and foreign policies, as well as its regional influence. Interns must have previous research experience and be able to conduct research in Turkish. Additional Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern languages, such as Arabic, Armenian, Greek, Hebrew, Kurdish, or Persian are a plus, but not required. If there is a particular Turkey-related issue of interest to you, please indicate that in your cover letter.

Eligibility

• Must have at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Should have a relevant course of study and have completed coursework in any of the following fields: International Relations, Security Studies, History, Communications, Journalism, International Economics or Political Science.
• Interns should have knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, including Word, as well as basic Excel skills.
• Must be able to commit to a minimum of 22 hours per week.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Application Materials Required

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter
• Writing Sample (no more than 3 pages)
• Unofficial transcript copy



Please indicate in your cover letter where you found this internship and your availability for the semester. If you are interested in multiple positions, you may use the same cover letter for each but submit separate applications.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.