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Are you trying to begin a career in policy, communications, fundraising, or law? Do you want a rich education in contemporary policy issues—and the philosophical, historic, and economic underpinnings of those issues? A Cato internship might be right for you.

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All Cato interns earn $17.50 per hour. Program participants also may complete their Cato internship for course credit.

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Cato Internship
Cato Internship

The Cato Internship Program

The Cato Institute is one of the world’s leading libertarian think tanks and one of the most prominent public policy research organizations in the country. Cato’s prestigious internship program offers interns the opportunity to develop hands-on research experience while learning professional skills and building their professional network.

Application Deadlines

Upcoming Term: Spring 2026

All prospective Cato interns must fill out an application to be considered. This includes graduate students, legal interns, Harvard IoP applicants, Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Interns, TFAS Capital Semester students, Metcalf Fellows, FTE interns, Stand Together Fellows, etc.

Applicants living abroad and international applicants are encouraged to apply but will need to be authorized to work in the United States and must be able to work in person in Washington, DC to participate. The Cato Institute will sponsor a limited number of J‑1 visas.

Spring Semester: Late-January to Late-April
  • For the upcoming Spring 2026 term, the application will open on September 19, 2025, and must be completed by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 2, 2025.
  • You will be notified if you advance as a finalist by December 1, 2025. You will receive a final decision by December 16, 2025.
Summer Semester: Late-May to Mid-August
  • The application for the upcoming Summer 2026 term will open on December 30, 2025, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 16, 2026.
  • You will be notified if you advance as a finalist by March 17, 2026. You will receive a final decision by April 15, 2026.
Fall Semester: Mid-September to Mid-December
  • The application for the upcoming Fall 2026 term will open on May 20, 2026, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 28, 2026.
  • You will be notified if you advance as a finalist by July 21, 2026, and the final decision by August 11, 2026.
Apply for a Cato Internship

Note: As of the Fall 2022 term, applications are no longer accepted on a rolling basis. Applications submitted outside the specified application window will not be considered.