The Center for the American Way of Life Internship in

Political Philosophy and Statecraft

The Center for the American Way of Life Internship is an academic and applied research program to train the next generation of political operators in Washington, DC. This program is designed to provide a thorough engagement with the philosophical foundations of the American Government and to apply those principles in our current political moment.

Throughout the duration of the program, interns will participate in three distinct components:

They will engage in a rigorous academic curriculum, tailored to the needs and experiences of each cohort. This will include a weekly reading group to discuss books and essays on political philosophy, opportunities to participate in private lectures with Claremont Scholars, and, depending upon availability, trips to museums, historic sites, and academic conferences.

They will be given an extensive practicum. This will include distilling principles from the American founding for practical operations, conducting original research for our scholars, and producing memos, op-eds, and reports.

They will also be given opportunities to attend networking events. These may include social events at friendly organizations, discussions with visiting scholars, and introductions to political operators in Washington, DC.

Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. 1 Conducting original research to support scholarly projects on issues from constitutionalism to foreign policy
  2. 2 Assisting data-driven investigations of the Left’s assets
  3. 3 Planning and assisting with events
  4. 4 Completing preparatory readings for lectures and group discussions
  5. 5 Contributing to articles

Requirements:

  1. 1 A methodical approach to research
  2. 2 Excellent reading, writing, and critical thinking skills
  3. 3 Good time management and ability to work independently
  4. 4 Proficiency with Microsoft Office
  5. 5 A passion for, and a desire to advance, the mission of the Claremont Institute
  6. 6 Knowledge of American history and politics preferred
  7. 7 All interns are required to be in-person

How to Apply

Submit a resume, a writing sample of two to six pages (if it is an excerpt, please provide sufficient context), and a statement on why you want to intern at the Claremont Institute’s Center for the American Way of Life.

Letters of recommendation are welcome but not required.

Deadline

November 22nd, 2026

Submission

Please send all materials in a single email to Sebastian Pontrelli at spontrelli@claremont.org with “Spring 2027 Internship” in the subject line.

Applications are reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis—don’t delay!

Pay range

Internships are paid $18.40/hr. for up to 28 hours per week. College credit may be available.