Tired of being told to look after the printers and fax machines? Tired of being assigned to do work, and looking rather for a place to take the initiative? Tired of sitting in your cubicle and never able to talk to the “big bosses”? Want to escape from the dead quiet and be able to have more in-person engagement with your fellow interns and policy specialists?
Then ICAS is just the right fit for you, offering an open-door workplace where you are always welcome to share, discuss and learn! Do the work you’re interested in, work hard, seize the publishing opportunities that come your way, and consult the “bosses” with anything related to your career and academic development. We’re a tight-knit team and here to help and invest in your future!
Interns have the opportunity to co-author with ICAS researchers, as well as publish blog posts, commentaries, and issue briefs under their own names.
In addition to the practical experience interns acquire, interns can take educational and skill enhancing seminars. Interns are also encouraged to pursue their own topics and interests with full support from our expert mentors.
ICAS provides opportunities that allow our interns to connect with leaders within the field. Interns have the opportunities to attend events where they can meet and talk with the nation's opinion-leaders and establish friendships and contacts that will last a lifetime.
ICAS offers full-time and part-time internships for undergraduates, master’s students, and recent graduates who are interested in gaining practical experience in foreign relations. In addition to real-world experience, ICAS interns participate in a variety of activities that support ICAS, including research, writing and project development.
Please keep checking back in the near future for more opportunities.
Thank you for your interest!
Please view the profile below for our current open positions.
The Institute for China-America Studies is seeking 3 research assistant interns for Summer 2026! This internship will run from May/June through August. This is a part-time, 20 hour per week internship that will be conducted primarily in-person at the ICAS office in Washington, D.C. Competitive candidates will have an interest in U.S.-China relations and be pursuing, or have recently obtained, a bachelor’s or masters degree from an accredited institution. We are looking for team-oriented problem solvers who can think on their feet and anticipate tasks ahead of time. Candidates with previous research experience at a think tank or in a similar field are preferred. Candidates should have a solid foundational knowledge or willingness to learn about maritime affairs, economics, trade, security, international law, climate change, and other relevant issues. Prior foundational knowledge of U.S. and/or China trade and technology relations is highly desirable. Native-level fluency in English is required and Professional-level fluency in Mandarin or other foreign languages is preferred.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter that includes a 1-3 ranking of which ICAS programs are of most interest (Maritime Affairs, Trade n’ Technology, Blue Carbon Climate Change), resume, and a 2-5 page writing sample/infographic as a single PDF no later than February 28, 2026. Questions about the internship can be submitted to Program and Communications Coordinator Rian Knighton at rianknighton@chinaus-icas.org.
We look forward to hearing from you!
The Institute for China-America Studies is an independent nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to strengthening the understanding of U.S.-China relations through expert analysis and practical policy solutions.
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Washington, DC 20036
icas@chinaus-icas.org
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