Internships: The Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program
The Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program, named in honor of MPI’s founding president, has two goals: harnessing the valuable contributions of interns for MPI’s work and training the next generation of migration and communications leaders. Internships are available both in person and remotely, as well as to those residing outside the United States.
MPI is committed to recruiting and supporting interns who reflect the breadth of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives in the countries where it works. As such, the Institute is committed to making sure that interns and staff members of all backgrounds work in an inclusive environment with equity and access for all.
The application window for the Fall 2025 internship cycle (September – December) is now open. See How to Apply section below for details.
(For information on MPI Europe internship opportunities in Brussels, click here.)
History of the Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program
The internship program was named the Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program in 2021. Papademetriou, who led MPI from its creation in 2001 to 2014 and remained President Emeritus and Distinguished Transatlantic Fellow until his death, exhibited a career-long dedication to training, mentoring, and helping the careers of the next generation of migration thinkers globally.
To learn about MPI’s interns, past and present, click here.
To support the Young Scholars program, click here.
General Internship Application Deadlines
- November 1 – Spring Semester (January – April)
- March 1 – Summer Semester (May – August)
- July 1 – Fall Semester (September – December)
Early applications are encouraged.
Interns work in one of two areas: Research or communications.
Research Internships
Research Interns work within one of MPI’s four program areas:
U.S. Immigration: Tracking and analysis of policies relating to asylum and refugee pathways, border management, immigration enforcement, legal immigration (temporary and permanent), legal status for unauthorized immigrants, and employment outcomes of highly educated immigrants; analysis of immigration, demographic, and economic trends; development of proposals for policy reform.
International Migration: Comparative analysis of immigration and integration policies in the areas of refugee resettlement and asylum, immigrant integration policies (including labor market integration and social cohesion), labor migration, borders and mobility, migration and development, and returns and reintegration.
U.S. Immigrant Integration: Issues related to early childhood education and care; Dual Language Learners and English Learners; K-12 immigrant education; adult education, training, and workforce development; state and local immigration/integration policy and services; and language access policy. (Full-time internship preferred.)
Latin America and Caribbean Initiative: Assessing policy responses to mixed migration flows, with a focus on northern Central America and Venezuela; evaluating migration management systems in key host countries, including Mexico, Costa Rica, and Colombia; tracking regional and international development policies; and identifying integration challenges and opportunities. Written proficiency and oral fluency in Spanish are required.
Within each of these substantive areas, research intern duties include:
- Contributing to overall MPI research efforts, including through independent quantitative and/or qualitative research and policy analysis
- Writing paper drafts and preparing literature summaries
- Providing events support
- Summarizing hearings and other relevant public and private events
- Light administrative tasks.
Communications Internships
MPI offers communications internships, providing essential dissemination and other support across the Institute and with the ability to experience the breadth of its work across research areas.
The Communications Intern works on marketing, media tracking, social media, and similar duties, and at times with the Migration Information Source, MPI’s award-winning online journal. Strong editorial, social media, and multimedia skills are required for this full-time internship. Duties may include:
- Crafting digital campaigns and visuals
- Tracking media mentions and identifying news outlets for targeted outreach
- Assisting in the dissemination of publications
- Editing audio and video
- Assisting with planning and supporting private and public events and meetings.
Program Details
The internship program lasts for four months and is divided into three cycles over the course of the year. There is some flexibility in internship start and end dates, but the Spring internship cycle generally runs from January through April, the Summer cycle from May through August, and the Fall semester from September through December.
Internships are available on both a full- and part-time basis (with full-time sought for U.S. Immigrant Integration and Communications). A $1,400 biweekly stipend is offered to full-time interns and a prorated stipend to part-time interns. Students also may arrange to obtain credit for their work. MPI does not cover relocation expenses. Internships can be remote or in person.
Applicants do not need not be a U.S. citizen to apply; however, all applicants must be U.S. work authorized before the internship begins, unless they reside and work from outside the United States throughout the internship cycle. MPI is not designated by the U.S. Department of State to be an exchange visitor sponsor and therefore cannot provide the supporting documents to apply for H-1B, J-1, H-3, or F-1 visas.
For all positions, applicants must be at least a junior in college and possess excellent oral and written communication skills. Current students, college graduates, graduate students, and early-career professionals are welcome to apply. Those without college experience who can demonstrate substantial relevant work experience will also be considered. Foreign language skills and proficiency in key Office and other software programs are helpful, as are strong quantitative skills. Minority applicants and/or applicants from immigrant or refugee backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
The application window for Fall 2025 is now open. Interested applicants should fill out this online form AND separately send to InternshipApplications@migrationpolicy.org the following materials by July 1, 2025:
- CV/Resume
- Cover letter describing your interest and research experience in migration and/or public policy issues. Also, please include:
–The approximate dates you are available to start and finish
–Whether you can intern full- or part-time
–The MPI program area(s) you are interested in - A writing sample that showcases your ability to write clearly and analytically about migration, migrant/refugee integration, or another public policy issue (up to five pages)
- A transcript (either official or unofficial) from all colleges/universities that you have attended that shows classes you have taken along with class grades.
Electronic submissions are strongly preferred. However, hard copies can be mailed to:
Director of MPI’s Internship Program
Migration Policy Institute
1275 K Street NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
Due to the large number of applicants, only those being considered for the position will be contacted. No phone calls please.