Popular Federal Government Internships & Programs
If you are interested in working for the federal government or intelligence community, start planning your applications for summer 2024 and fall 2025 internships and jobs now.
Some positions require a security clearance, which can take 6-to-18 months to acquire. It’s a good idea to plan ahead and start your applications today. To help you start your search, we have compiled a list of internship and job information, applications, and deadlines for you to browse.
Download a PDF of popular federal internships and programs.
Executive Branch Agencies
| Agency | Position | Deadlines | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture (DOA) | OneUSDA Internship Program | Applications due around the November before the internship (e.g., for summer 2022 internship, applications due November 16, 2021) | Yes |
| Department of Agriculture (DOA) | Pathways Internship Program | Applications due around the January before the internship. Deadlines vary, but current openings are listed here. In addition to the Internship Program, there is the Pathways Recent Graduates Program and the Presidential Management Fellows Program. | Yes |
| Department of Commerce (DOC) | Internships | Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. List top 3 offices in ordered preference and session (fall, spring, or summer). Email application to intern@doc.gov. DOC is currently accepting applications for spring 2024. Summer 2024 will open around February. | No |
| Department of Defense (DoD) | DoD College Acquisition Internship Program (for sophomores and juniors) | Applications for the 2024 cycle are now closed. Monitor the provided link for when the next application cycle opens. | Yes |
| Department of Defense (DOD) | John S. McCain Strategic Defense Fellows Program (for recent advanced degree grads) | Applications for Cohort 4 (2023-2024) are now closed. Monitor the provided link for when Cohort 5 (2024-2025) applications open, most likely in January 2024.. | Yes |
| Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Labor (DOL) | DOD Opportunities Workforce Recruitment Program Program co-sponsored by DOD and DOL | Volunteer Internship: Application for Summer due January 31, 2024. Paid Internship: Vacancies posted on USAJobs. The Workforce Recruitment Program is a year long program. Student applications open late August. | Both |
| Department of Energy (DOE) | Clean Energy Corps | Rolling. Vacancies posted on USAJOBS. The Clean Energy Corps is now hiring. Visit the application portal to learn more. | Yes |
| Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | Office of Public Affairs Internship Opportunities | Application deadline August 31st before desired summer. Must send application materials to OPA.Internships@hq.dhs.gov. | No |
| Department of Justice (DOJ) | Volunteer Legal Internships | Check the page for specific deadlines. Find more opportunities on the DOJ job site. | No |
| Department of State (DOS) | Student Internship Program | Fall 2024: Applications open around February 2024 Spring 2025: Applications open in July 2024 Summer 2025: Applications open in October 2024 Sign up for DOS email notifications for more information about the applications. | Yes |
| Department of State (DOS) | U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program (USFSIP) Two paid summer internships: one in DC and one at a US embassy or consulate. Internship is a merit and needs-based opportunity | Applications are now closed. The application period is from late August-Early September. Apply on USAJobs. Join DOS’s ‘Talent Network’ to stay up-to-date on application openings. | Yes |
| Department of State (DOS) | The Foreign Service Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test | Foreign Service Exam Dates: February; June; October. Check the Foreign Service Officer Test site for exact testing windows and registration deadlines. *Registration for tests closes 48 hours before the testing date. *Written essays and personal statements also due on test date. | N/A |
| Department of Treasury | Headquarters Student Internship Program | For Spring (Jan-May): Applications due in October For Summer (May-Aug): Applications due in December For Fall (Sep-Dec): Applications due in June Internships are announced on USAJobs. | No |
| Department of Treasury | International Affairs Junior Fellowship | Applications due late October for the next cohort. Recruiting now for 2024-2026. | Yes |
| USAID | Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates | USAID has various student opportunities and fellowships, including a Pathways Program. Jobs are posted on USAJobs. | Pathways, Yes |
| White House Council on Environmental Quality | Internship Program | Summer 2024: Applications due Last Friday in February 2024. Fall 2024: Applications due Last Friday in June 2024. Spring 2025: Applications due Last Friday in October 2024. | Yes |
| Consumer Financial Protection Bureau | CFPB Director’s Financial Analyst Program | Fellowship is a two-year rotational program for recent graduates. Follow link to monitor next session opening. | Yes |
Intelligence Community
Applicant MUST be a U.S. Citizen and be physically in the U.S. or its territories at the time of application and throughout their processing for all IC agencies. For all internship and full-time position applications, expect the clearance process to take anywhere from 12-18 months; apply and plan accordingly.
| Agency | Position | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | Learn more on the FBI Honors Program site. | Applications for Summer 2024 have passed. They open in early September prior to internship summer. |
| Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) | Summer 2024 positions now closed. Summer Internship Program. Find more information information on the DIA site. DIA is also on Handshake. | Applications open March of the year before internship starts. |
| Department of Homeland Security Intelligence & Analysis (DHS I&A) | Learn more on the DHS I&A internship program. Also, follow DHS I&A on Handshake. | Summer Cohort 2024 application is closed. Summer Cohort 2025 applications will likely open July 2024. |
| National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) | Apply and stay up-to-date on opportunities at the NGA job portal. Read the internship FAQ to learn more. | Monitor openings on NGA’s career portal here in order to apply. |
| National Security Agency (NSA) | Cooperative Education Program — will be posted on IC Careers website. ou can also check out the NSA on Handshake. Applicants must be a college freshman or sophomore. | Application now closed. Monitor links for when the next cycle opens. Applications are accepted from February 1 to March 31 and September 1 to October 31. |
| National Security Agency (NSA) | Cooperative Education Program-Language — will be posted on IC Careers website. You can also check out the NSA on Handshake. | Application now closed. Monitor links for when the next cycle opens. Applications are accepted from February 1 to March 31 and September 1 to October 31. |
| Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) | Student Opportunities | Check CIA Career Website in early 2024 for 2025 opportunities. NOTE: Applicant must be and remain in the U.S. at time of application and throughout their processing. Apply at least 1 year before desired start date. |
Other Noteworthy Opportunities
| Agency | Position | Deadlines | Paid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMTRAK | Internship and Co-ops Locations: Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; New York, NY; Wilmington, DE; Chicago, IL | Internships offered in: Spring (January Start), Summer (May Start), Fall (August Start) Find openings on the Amtrak website. | Yes |
| International Monetary Fund | Research Assistant Program | Visit the IMF careers page for openings. | Yes |
| Federal Reserve Internships | DC and virtual internships available. Learn more on the Fed internships site. | Summer 2024 applications posted: September 2023 Explore positions and apply for the positions on Federal Reserve careers site. | Yes |
| Federal Reserve | Cooperative Education Program Assignment areas include: Economics, Law, Finance and Accounting, and Information Systems. | Assignments include either one year or summer-long durations. Find deadlines and where to apply on the Fed careers site. | Yes/No |
| Defense Contract Management Agency | Read more on their internship and recent graduates page. | Potential Internships include the Presidential Management Fellowship Program and Pathways Program. Search for Pathways opportunities on USAJobs’ students and recent graduates page. | Yes |
| New York City Department of Health | HRTP: A Public Health Internship Program Learn about the application instructions | Three internship sessions are offered: Deadlines for: Summer 2024: February 15, 2024 Fall 2024: August 15, 2024 Spring 2025: November 15, 2024 NOTE: Fall and Winter/Spring sessions are for local NYC students only. | No |
| Missile Defense Agency (MDA) | See the general MDA careers page to explore opportunities. | MDA posts position openings to USAJobs. | Yes |
| Supreme Court (SCOTUS) | Supreme Court Internship Program | For fall cycle – June 15 For spring cycle – October 15 For summer cycle – March 1 | No |
Addendum for Further Research
Although many of these positions and departments do not have specific application deadlines and timelines, you should check USAJobs weekly to stay on top of new openings. Search by department or agency, paygrade, location, etc., to find jobs suitable for you.
| Agency | Position | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture (USDA) | USDA Department Opportunities | USDA posts open opportunities on USAJobs. |
| Department of Commerce (DOC) | DOC Career Opportunities | Open DOC positions can be found on USAJobs. |
| Department of Defense (DoD) | Check for DOD Civilian Career opportunities and DOD student programs. | Search for open DoD positions on USAJobs. |
| Department of Defense (DoD) | Washington Headquarters Service | Search ‘WHS’ on USAJobs. |
| Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | Student Programs | View DHS Student Programs |
| Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) | FLETC College Intern Program Applications are open in March prior to the internship summer session. |
| Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | More information for recent graduates | Recent graduates page |
| Department of Justice (DOJ) | Full-time careers | Current openings and deadlines |
| Department of State (DOS) | Pathways Programs | Find all State Department openings on USAJobs. |
| Department of State (DOS) | State Department Civil Service | Find all State Department openings on USAJobs. |
| Department of Treasury | Read more about careers at Treasury HQ. Read about opportunities at Treasury’s bureaus. | Job openings are posted to Treasury’s USAJobs page. |
| Government Accountability Office (GAO) | Read about general career opportunities at GAO careers site. Check out GAO application instructions. | Open positions are posted to GAO’s USAJobs page. |
| Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) | Read more on DIA’s career page | Also, follow DIA’s profile on Handshake |
| Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) | Student opportunities | Student internship hiring events on DIA’s career page as well as DIA’s profile on Handshake. |
| Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | Full-time positions at FBI | Read more about and see current openings on the FBI career page. |
| National Security Agency (NSA) | Follow NSA’s profile on Handshake | NSA posts openings (for internships and full-time positions) on the Intelligence Community Careers website. |
| National Security Agency (NSA) | Student opportunities | See a full list of student opportunities and their respective deadlines on NSA’s Student Tiles page |
| National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) | Student opportunities | Find openings atNGA posted on the Intelligence Community Careers website. You can search and filter by agency. |