U.S. Department of State Paid Student Internship Program – Spring 2027 and Summer 2027

The U.S. Department of State Student Internship is a paid experience offering U.S. citizen students and veterans a chance to participate in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy. Please see the “Requirements” section. To qualify you must: Be a United States citizen at the time of application. Be at least 18 years old at the time of application. Be able to receive and maintain a Secret security clearance. Have not previously participated in the U.S. Department of State's Student Internship Program, U.S. Foreign Service Internship, or Foreign Service Fellowship Program. Be able to show proof of medical insurance during the time of the internship, including the time of travel to and from the location of the internship and international insurance coverage if placement is overseas. Assume responsibility for covering personal medical and health-related expenses during the internship, including maintaining appropriate health insurance coverage. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet one (1) of the following eligibility criteria. Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application materials that they satisfy at least one of the eligibility pathways outlined below: Option 1 – Current Undergraduate Student Be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or community college. Have completed at least 60 credit hours by the start of the internship. Be enrolled at least part-time at the time of application (breaks in enrollment of up to five months are permitted). Be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.2 GPA. Option 2 – Current Graduate Student Be enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited institution. Be enrolled at least part-time at the time of application (breaks in enrollment of up to five months are permitted). Be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.2 GPA. Option 3 – Recent Graduate Have graduated from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program within two years of the internship start date. Have earned a minimum 3.2 GPA. Option 4 – U.S. Military Veteran Be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. Possess a high school diploma or equivalent. Have served on active duty (for any length of time) within the two years preceding the internship start date. The U.S. Department of State Student Internship Program is a paid internship with the opportunity to work in U.S. Embassies and field offices throughout the world, as well as in bureaus located in Washington, D.C. This program is designed to provide substantive national security experience in a foreign affairs environment. Participants in the Paid Student Internship Program are considered temporary employees. As such, students are not eligible to accrue annual leave or sick leave, nor are students eligible for Federal Employee Health Benefits, Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, or Thrift Savings Plan. The internship service is not creditable for retirement benefits unless the intern is subsequently appointed into a federal career position. The program covers reasonable travel expenses to and from the location of the internship and provides fully furnished housing. Applications must be submitted electronically through the "Gateway to State" system. To begin the application process, please click on the "Apply Online" button to the right. You have until 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement to complete the application process. This includes submitting your online application as well as any required documents as defined in the Required Documents section. Candidates are encouraged to complete their applications well before the application deadline to be assured of consideration. Please read all instructions carefully. There are three parts to the application process: Applicant Profile (For applicants new to USAJOBS) Internship Application, including application questionnaire. Required Documents - Resume and Official or unofficial Transcripts are acceptable Part I-Applicant Profile Applicants new to USAJOBS must create an applicant profile by providing biographic and prior Federal government employment information, if any. You must answer all "required" fields in order to proceed through the application process. (If you are not new to USAJOBS, you can proceed directly to the intern application.) Note: Attaching a personal resume to your USAJOBS profile is sufficient. You do not need to build a USAJOBS resume. Part II-Internship Application The second part of the online application process is specific to the internship program. In this section, you will be required to: Answer questions regarding your personal, academic and employment experience. Identify preference for Spring 2027 or Summer 2027 and a domestic and/or overseas assignment. Identify up to two geographical or functional areas for which you wish to be considered for an internship assignment. Note: Applicants interested in working at overseas posts or branch offices outside of Washington D.C. must first indicate the bureau with responsibility over that location. For example: An applicant interested in working at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia will select WHA or the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. Answer the questions regarding the statements of interest that describes your objectives and motivation in seeking an internship. Note: Your Statements of Interest are a critical part of the selection process and should be clear, concise, and well written. It should demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively and your commitment to advancing U.S. national interests through public service. Applicants are encouraged to reflect on how their academic studies, professional experience, and personal responsibilities have shaped their character, work ethic, and commitment to serving the United States and the American people. Competitive candidates will demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, sound judgment, patriotism, and the ability to contribute to mission-driven teams. Describe how your academic path, work experience, and personal responsibilities have prepared you to succeed in a demanding, results-oriented environment. This may include balancing school with employment, military service, mission work, volunteer service, supporting family, overcoming financial challenges, or developing practical skills such as resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving. The Department seeks candidates committed to defending the interests of the American people, advancing prosperity at home, and demonstrating strong U.S. leadership on the global stage with an interest in long-term federal service. Clearly state what you will contribute to the office or post, as well as what you hope to gain from the internship. You may also include relevant language skills, technical expertise, or other abilities that support U.S. priorities at home and abroad. Your statement should reflect a strong sense of purpose, respect for public service, and a commitment to representing the American people with dedication and professionalism.