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Over the last several decades, governments have collectively pledged to slow global warming. But despite intensified diplomacy, the world is already facing the consequences of climate…
Careers
Internships
Interning at CFR
In an ever-changing world, CFR’s work as a leading nonpartisan resource for information and ideas about foreign policy is more important than ever. At CFR, interns participate in one of the foremost paid internship programs in the foreign policy arena. They do work that matters alongside smart and dedicated staff in a diverse and inclusive environment. Interns are paid a competitive hourly wage while gaining valuable experience through exposure to leading foreign policy experts. They are also offered professional development training as a foundation for future work in the field of foreign policy and international affairs. Internship opportunities are offered through the Blavatnik Internship Program and Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program.
CFR’s internship programs are available in the New York and Washington, DC offices on an onsite basis.
The application deadline for summer 2025 internships has now passed. Please check back in the summer (June/July) for fall 2025 applications.
Blavatnik Internship Program
Blavatnik interns are recruited year-round on a semester basis for positions in CFR’s New York and Washington, DC, offices. An intern’s duties generally consist of research, editing and writing, event coordination, and/or departmental support. Internships are offered in Digital Content, the Studies Program, Global Communications, Corporate Program, Washington Program, Meetings Program and many more, including Foreign Affairs.
Blavatnik interns participate in CFR’s Intern Professional Development program, which complements their substantive work with a series of skill-based workshops, training, and career advice sessions. These events are designed to improve interns’ writing, editing, research, and program planning skills, while also helping to sharpen interns’ resumes and familiarize them with the multitude of foreign policy career paths and beyond.
CFR strives to include its interns in the full spectrum of its meetings and events programming, giving interns the opportunity to gain new insights on critical foreign policy issues and further their exposure to world leaders, U.S. policymakers, and sought-after experts. In addition, CFR offers a wide variety of events for staff and interns, including an award-winning health and wellness program. Events range from brown bag lunches with policy experts to a health fair, and an annual Ping-Pong championship.
A generous gift from the Blavatnik Family Foundation supports this unique internship program. CFR is grateful to Council member Len Blavatnik, a distinguished philanthropist and global business leader, for facilitating this gift, which furthers his commitment to developing new talent and cultivating the next generation of leaders in government, academia, and the private sector.
Eligibility and How to Apply
CFR generally considers undergraduate and graduate students with majors in international relations, political science, economics, or a related field for its Blavatnik Internship Program. All applicants should have completed the equivalent of four semesters of college coursework (not including AP classes in high school) by the time they begin an internship. A regional specialization, language skills, and additional requirements may also be needed for some internships. In addition to meeting the intellectual requirements, applicants should have excellent skills in administration, writing, research, and computers, as well as previous office experience. Interns must also be willing to commit to fourteen to eighteen hours per week.
CFR posts all internship opportunities on its website—in June for the fall semester, in October for the spring semester, and in February for the summer semester. There is one posting for the New York office, one for the Washington, DC office, and one for remote applicants. Applicants should apply to their desired work location and check off on their application each internship that they are interested in being considered for. A full list of available positions is available above. A complete application consists of a resume and a cover letter. The cover letter should support the applicant’s skills and abilities for all internship roles they wish to be considered for.
CFR is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks candidates from diverse backgrounds.
Interns are paid a competitive hourly wage.
Since this is a paid opportunity, interns must have the legal right to work for any employer in the United States.
About Len Blavatnik
CFR Member Len Blavatnik is among the world's most accomplished businessmen and prominent philanthropists. For over 37 years, he has invested in businesses to unlock their potential and transform them into international market leaders, while also advancing science, higher education, and culture through charitable giving.
A dual US-UK citizen, Len is the founder and chairman of Access Industries, a privately held company headquartered in New York with investments across a range of sectors, including strategic equity, global media and entertainment, real estate, and biotechnology. To date, Access Industries has built a global portfolio of over $35 billion.
The Blavatnik Family Foundation is exclusively self-funded and has contributed more than $1 billion to 250 institutions worldwide over the past decade, fostering scientific innovation, world-class culture, and preparing future leaders. The Foundation prioritizes higher education as well as scientific and medical research and innovation. Its activities are highly concentrated to drive meaningful impact and to promote discoveries at major research institutions that will benefit the whole of society. To that end, the Foundation has made transformational gifts to Harvard, Yale, and Tel Aviv Universities, and established the Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University. In 2017, Blavatnik was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his service to philanthropy and was appointed Chevalier of the French Legion d’Honneur for his support of education in 2013.
Born in Odesa, Ukraine, Blavatnik and his family emigrated to the United States in 1978. He earned his Master’s in Computer Science from Columbia University in 1981 and his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1989.
Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program
Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program
CFR is committed to help make the foreign policy community in the United States more reflective of America as a whole, and looks to identify the next generation of diverse foreign policy leaders through its Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program.
Robina Franklin Williams interns are recruited year-round on a semester basis for positions in CFR’s New York and Washington, DC, offices. An intern’s duties generally consist of research, editing and writing, event coordination, and/or departmental support. Internships are offered in Digital Content, the Studies Program, Global Communications, the Corporate Program, the Washington Program, the Meetings Program and many more, including Foreign Affairs.
Robina Franklin Williams interns participate in CFR’s Intern Professional Development program, which complements their substantive work with a series of skill-based workshops, training, and career advice sessions. These events are designed to improve interns’ writing, editing, research, and program planning skills, while also helping to sharpen interns’ resumes and familiarize them with the multitude of foreign policy career paths.
CFR strives to include its interns in the full spectrum of its meetings and events programming, giving interns the opportunity to gain new insights on critical foreign policy issues and further their exposure to world leaders, U.S. policymakers, and sought-after experts. In addition, CFR offers a wide variety of events for staff and interns, including an award-winning health and wellness program. Events range from brown bag lunches with policy experts to a health fair, and an annual Ping-Pong championship. Robina Franklin Williams interns are also invited to participate in CFR’s annual Conference on Diversity in International Affairs and receive a fully funded trip to visit CFR’s location in New York or Washington, DC.
The Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program, supported by a generous gift from the Robina Foundation, CFR members, and family and friends of Franklin Williams, is named in honor of the late Ambassador Franklin H. Williams.
Eligibility and How to Apply
CFR is committed to help make the foreign policy community in the United States more reflective of America as a whole and looks to identify the next generation of diverse foreign policy leaders through its Robina Franklin Williams Internship Program. CFR is an equal opportunity employer, and candidates from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
CFR generally considers undergraduate and graduate students with majors in international relations, political science, economics, or a related field for its Blavatnik Internship Program. All applicants should have completed the equivalent of four semesters of college coursework (not including AP classes in high school) by the time they begin an internship. A regional specialization, language skills, and additional requirements may also be needed for some internships. In addition to meeting the intellectual requirements, applicants should have excellent skills in administration, writing, research, and computers, as well as previous office experience. Interns must also be willing to commit to fourteen to eighteen hours per week.
CFR posts all internship opportunities on its website—in June for the fall semester, in October for the spring semester, and in February for the summer semester. There is one posting for the New York office, one for the Washington, DC office, and one for remote applicants. Applicants should apply to their desired work location and check off on their application each internship that they are interested in being considered for. A full list of available positions is available above. A complete application consists of a resume and a cover letter. The cover letter should support the applicant’s skills and abilities for all internship roles they wish to be considered for.
Since this is a paid opportunity, interns must have the legal right to work for any employer in the United States.
About Ambassador Franklin H. Williams
Ambassador Franklin H. Williams served as the U.S. ambassador to Ghana and was the chairman of the board of trustees of Lincoln University, one of the country’s historically black colleges. He was also a Director of the Council on Foreign Relations, where he made special efforts to encourage the nomination of African Americans to membership.
Contact
email: [email protected]
New York Office
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New York, NY 10065
tel 212.434.9400
Washington Office
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