The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank based in Washington, DC dedicated to the study of migration worldwide. MPI and its sister organization, the Brussels-based MPI Europe, work closely with policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to analyze, develop, and evaluate migration and refugee policies at local, state, national, and international levels. MPI’s internship program has trained more than 140 future global migration scholars and policy analysts. Publication opportunities are available to interns, and more than half of MPI’s interns are now published authors in the field of migration. We offer Research and Editorial/Communications internships.
General Internship Application Deadlines
November 1 - for Spring Semester (generally January - April)
March 1 - for Summer Semester (generally May - August)
July 1 - for Fall Semester (generally September - December)
The Migration Policy Institute Europe is seeking candidates for a full-time internship in Brussels for Autumn 2018 – Spring 2019, which offers a unique opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and practical experience working with a broad network of experts in a wide range of policy areas, including EU immigration and asylum systems, labor migration, and immigrant integration. The internship also offers individuals the opportunity to collaborate directly with policy analysts and senior management, and potentially author research. The successful candidates will also be involved in the organization of external events, with benefits for his/her network.
The deadline for applications is August 21, and the successful candidate will start as soon as possible.
The intern will provide support to the MPI Europe team, including senior management. Applicants must have at least a relevant bachelor or master’s degree and possess excellent oral and written communication skills. They should be able to work both independently and as part of a team, be well organized, and have the ability to handle a wide arrange of tasks, which might range from research activities to event organization.
Duties may include:
Language skills other than English and ability to work with Microsoft Access prove helpful for certain projects, as do strong quantitative skills.
The internship will last a minimum three months, with a maximum duration of six months (to be agreed). The intern will be offered a “contrat d’immersion professionel” (or “beroepsinlevingovereenkomst”), which foresees a payment of 1310,15 euro per month. Reimbursement for daily transportation to and from MPI Europe offices will be offered. Relocation expenses are not covered.
Applicants must be eligible to work in Belgium.
Minority applicants and/or applicants from immigrant or refugee backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
In accordance with Belgian law, a “contrat d’immersion professionel” cannot be offered to candidates who are still enrolled at the university, therefore only applications from graduates will be considered for this opening.
Interested applicants should send to internship_brussels@migrationpolicy.org the following materials:
For additional information, you may contact internship_brussels@migrationpolicy.org. Please submit one application. Due to the large number of applicants, only those being considered for the position will be contacted. No phone calls please.
An independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank based in Washington, DC, MPI provides analysis, development, and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at local, national, and international levels. It aims to meet the demand for pragmatic and thoughtful responses to the challenges and opportunities that large-scale migration, whether voluntary or forced, presents to communities and institutions in an increasingly integrated world. MPI seeks current college seniors and advanced-degree students as well as college graduates for full- and part-time research internships. Interns provide support to MPI researchers in one or more of the following program areas:
U.S. Immigration: Assessment of border enforcement efforts, current and proposed state and federal immigration legislation, effect of changes to immigration law and policy, and prospects for immigration reform.
U.S. Immigrant Integration: Early-childhood programs and the children of immigrants, K-12 immigrant education, adult language and literacy, state and local immigration regulation, and employment and workforce development.
Transatlantic Council on Migration: European immigration and integration policies in the areas of citizenship and civic participation, economic growth and competitiveness, religion and public life, mobility and security, and migration and development.
Mexico and Central America work: Labor and education policies in Mexico and Central America; Demographic, economic, and social forces that reshape Mexico and Central America and their impact on migration flows in the region and to/from the United States. Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred.
Within each of these substantive areas, research intern duties include:
Foreign language skills and proficiency in key Office and other software programs prove helpful for certain projects, as do strong quantitative skills.
MPI seeks college seniors and advanced degree students as well as college graduates for full- and part-time editorial/communications internships. Interns work with both MPI’s Communications team and the Migration Information Source, MPI’s award-winning online journal. As part of their general responsibilities, Editorial/Communications Interns may:
- Edit multimedia audio and video content
- Fact-check, edit, copy edit, and write articles for publication
- Craft social media campaigns
- Research potential authors and topics
- Assist in the dissemination of MPI publications, press releases, and other external relations materials
- Assist the Communications team in carrying out events-related activities
- Research media outlet contact information for targeted outreach
- Participate in the effort to improve MPI’s websites and social networking sites
- Assist with partial coverage of the reception desk and other light administrative tasks.
Strong editorial, social media, and multimedia skills are required.
The MPI internship program lasts for four months and is divided into three cycles over the course of the year. There is some flexibility in internship start and end dates, but the Spring internship cycle generally runs from January through April, the Summer cycle from May through August, and the Fall semester from September through December.
Internships are available on both full- and part-time basis. A stipend is offered to full-time interns and a prorated stipend is available for those interns who work part-time. Students also may arrange to obtain credit for their work. In addition, we offer reimbursement for daily transportation to and from MPI. We do not cover relocation expenses.
For all positions, applicants must be at least a senior in college, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Minority applicants and/or applicants from immigrant or refugee backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
You need not be a U.S. citizen to apply; however, all applicants must be authorized to work in the United States before your internship begins. Since MPI is not designated by the U.S. Department of State to be an exchange visitor sponsor, we will not be able to provide you with the supporting documents to apply for foreign worker (H-1B), exchange visitor (J-1), trainee (H-3), or foreign student (F-1) visas.
Interested applicants should send to internship@migrationpolicy.org the following materials:
Electronic submissions are strongly preferred. However, hard copies can be mailed to:
Director of MPI's Internship Program
Migration Policy Institute
1400 16th Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
For additional information, you may contact internship@migrationpolicy.org. Please submit one application but indicate the desired internship(s) and, if applicable, program area/s in the subject line. Due to the large number of applicants, only those being considered for the position will be contacted. No phone calls please.