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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 2027

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
  • The application for the upcoming Spring 2027 term will open on October 1, 2026, and must be completed by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 25, 2026.
  • You will be notified if you advance as a finalist by November 13, 2026. You will receive a final decision by December 18, 2026.
Summer Semester: Late-May to Mid-August
  • The application for the upcoming Summer 2027 term will open on January 11, 2027, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 15, 2027.
  • You will be notified if you advance as a finalist by March 12, 2027. You will receive a final decision by April 16, 2027.
Fall Semester: Mid-September to Mid-December
  • The application for the upcoming Fall 2027 term will open on May 28, 2027, and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on June 27, 2027.
  • You will be notified if you advance as a finalist by July 16, 2027. You will receive a final decision by August 13, 2027.
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.