2025 summer internship program: application now open
Closes: Monday, March 3, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Selected students will have the opportunity to work in person or remotely with our amazing partner organizations.
These paid, career-focused 8-10 week internships will provide students with hands-on experience in public policy, communications, event planning, and advocacy with non-profit organizations and government agencies.
Applicants must be University of Delaware students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year. Some sites accept graduate students, which are designated with a (*) after their name.
If you have any questions, please email us at bideninstitute@udel.edu.
Application requirements:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Two (2) references
Qualifications:
- Excellent writing, editing and research skills.
- Superior communication and interpersonal skills.
- Detail-oriented, well-organized, and reliable.
- Able to work independently and take initiative.
- Excellent technical skills and social media savvy.
- Strong organizational, planning, and management skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and G-Suite.
- Clear grasp of the policy and lawmaking process.
- Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment in formulating and recommending policy positions.
- Ability to adapt and respond quickly to changing landscapes and to work well under pressure and deadlines.
- Experience managing multiple projects and the ability to handle competing deadlines.
- Ability to project confidence and competency when working with senior members of the legislative and executive branches.
2025 internship host sites
View detailed descriptions of the 2025 internship host sites below. Please note that internship sites are subject to change each year.
Department/Unit: Development, Communications or Programs
Description: Active Minds is the largest nonprofit in the United States mobilizing youth and young adults to transform mental health norms across society. For more than 20 years, we have equipped the next generation of peer mental health advocates through a variety of programs, including the Active Minds Chapter Network, A.S.K., and Send Silence Packing. Our advocacy, initiatives, and campaigns foster lasting change in how youth view and discuss mental health, encouraging them to use their voices to influence broader conversations and inform mental health supports within their communities. Together, we are building a diverse movement of champions committed to improving mental health for all.
Responsibilities: As a small nonprofit, Active Minds relies on the help of our interns tremendously as they work directly on important initiatives and projects and assist staff on a variety of administrative tasks. Interns have the opportunity to do substantive work, gain experience in the nonprofit sector, and help change the culture around mental health. Working virtually, this intern will support the Operations team on a number of cross-organization initiatives and operations projects, including our 2025 Mental Health Conference, internal processes/systems development, data management, and the internship program. They will have the opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes workings of a mental health nonprofit.
Location: Remote
Department/Unit: CHILD, Inc.’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (DVAP)
Description: CHILD, Inc. provides prevention, intervention, and treatment programs to children and families in Delaware. We serve children who have experienced abuse and neglect and their parents. We provide programs for those who are involved in domestic violence situations, especially children. DVAP assists victims of intimate partner violence through the Protection from Abuse (PFA) order process including the filing of PFA petitions and accompaniment to court hearings. Trained advocates are co-located in each of the Family Courts in Delaware. While advocates do not provide legal advice, they are able to connect petitioners with a variety of resources, which may include legal assistance. Advocates also assist by providing referrals, crisis counseling, safety planning and support.
Responsibilities: Advocates provide a number of services for victims of domestic violence, including, but not limited to:
Moral support for victims in crisis (not any advice, including legal)
Information about the court process
Help in understanding the dynamics of domestic violence
A supportive presence in Family Court hearings
Assistance in exploring available options
- Referrals to community services
Job responsibilities will include keeping adequate written records of their work, attending continuing training sessions, consulting regularly with the program coordinator to review ongoing client matters, and participating in the evaluation of job performance. Required skills and abilities include keeping all client and court information confidential, gathering and accurately recording factual information, communicating effectively both orally and in writing, respecting and relating to people from diverse backgrounds, dealing with hostility, anger, and other negative emotions, maintain objectivity, be non-judgmental, submit to a criminal background check, become trained in HIPAA regulations.
Location: Wilmington, DE (in-person)
Department/Unit: Policy
Description: CleanCapital is a diversified clean energy company focused on the middle-market solar and storage industry. Mission-driven to mitigate the climate crisis, CleanCapital leads the energy transition with strategic investments in early-stage, new construction, and operating renewables projects and development partners. To date, the company has invested $1 billion in projects and companies, including the acquisition of BQ Energy, a national leader in landfill and brownfield renewable energy development. The company has successfully acquired and managed over 230 operating and new construction projects in 26 states and one U.S. territory, totaling 460 MW.
Responsibilities: The Policy & Market Development intern will work with the team to shape and track policy changes that affect the development and financing of commercial and community solar projects and energy storage projects. The Intern will analyze new energy storage and non-residential solar market opportunities, track federal and state energy policy and regulatory updates, and provide state-specific program guidance in solar and energy storage markets nationwide in coordination with CleanCapital’s Policy and Market Development team.
The Intern will help the Policy and Market Development team keep the company updated on key policy changes that will have a meaningful impact on the company’s solar and/or storage project pipeline and anticipate changes that could change the company’s prioritization of markets.
Core Responsibilities
- Track, analyze, and communicate, federal and state-level regulatory dockets, pending legislation, stakeholder working groups, and other sources to understand the nuances of state solar and energy storage markets.
- Create detailed summaries and regular reports of state and federal solar policy developments.
- Research energy markets, renewable energy credit markets, or state programs that provide or underpin CleanCapital solar and storage assets.
- Support the project acquisition and development team in analyzing how policy issues impact deal valuation.
- Represent the company before industry associations, government officials, and other external engagements.
- Other duties as assigned.
Job description may evolve over time.
Location: This position is a fully remote position, with the option of having a hybrid work schedule if located near our NYC or Buffalo office locations.
Description: The Environmental Justice Health Alliance (EJHA) for Chemical Policy Reform is a national network of grassroots environmental and economic justice organizations and advocates in communities that are disproportionately impacted by toxic chemicals from legacy contamination, ongoing exposure to polluting facilities and health-harming chemicals in household products. EJHA supports a just transition towards safer chemicals and a pollution-free economy that leaves no community or worker behind. The EJHA network model features leadership of, by, and for Environmental Justice groups with support from additional allied groups and individual experts.
Coming Clean is a nonprofit environmental health collaborative working to transform the chemical industry so it is no longer a source of harm, and to secure systemic changes that allow a safe chemical and clean energy economy to flourish. Our members are organizations and technical experts — including grassroots activists, community leaders, scientists, health professionals, business leaders, lawyers, and farmworker advocates — committed to principled collaboration to advance a nontoxic, sustainable, and just world for all
Responsibilities: Interns will gain experience and exposure engaging with grassroots organizations, policymakers, and community members to advance Environmental Justice efforts. This internship will work closely with Coming Clean to review the Executive Order on Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, to identify potential programmatic benefits of the Justice40 initiative, and the Inflation Reduction Act. Students interested in climate adaptation, advocacy, and policy analysis through community engaged research are encouraged to apply.
Location: Delaware (hybrid)
*This internship host site accepts graduate students.
Department/Unit: Policy and Communications
Description: Delaware Coalition Against Gun Violence (DECAGV) (c4) seeks to end gun violence in Delaware and nationwide through policy, partnerships, and prevention education programs. We advocate for common sense gun laws.
Responsibilities: Interns will shadow the executive director in Dover, engage with elected officials, write policy calls to action for constituents and support social media to engage Delawareans in advocacy. Once the legislative session ends on June 30, interns will finalize a policy brief to summarize DECAGV’s work during the 152nd General Assembly.
Location: Dover, DE (hybrid)
Description: The Office of Women's Advancement and Advocacy (OWAA) is responsible for overseeing the State's women's right work, including leading the ongoing implementation of women's rights legislation, evaluating current women's rights legislation, building support for new legislation, and advising the Governor's Office, the Legislature and the Secretary of the Department of Human Resources. The office will review and report on the status of women in the State as well as provide information on the status of women to the public, state agencies, the General Assembly, the Judiciary, organizations, businesses and institutions, when necessary. The Office of Women's Advancement and Advocacy also oversees the Delaware Commission for Women, Delaware Women's Hall of Fame Committee, and the Delaware Women's Workforce Council.
Responsibilities: The OWAA policy intern will primarily focus on researching and drafting a memo of policy and program ideas to address the needs of women and girls in Delaware. Since OWAA approaches “women’s issues” in a broad and intersectional way, this memo will include a wide range of issues, including health, education and economic security. And since OWAA is housed within the Department of Human Resources, this memo will also include ideas for addressing the needs of women within the state workforce.
- Assess and analyze any gaps in the policy and program landscape for Delaware women and girls.
- Identify new and emerging policies and programs to improve the lives of Delaware women and girls.
- Draft a persuasive and well-research policy memo of policy and program ideas for consideration.
- Represent OWAA at offsite meetings and events, take notes, and report back.
- Assisting with the staffing of OWAA events.
Location: Delaware (hybrid)
Department/Unit: Policy and Government Affairs
Description: The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve LGBTQ+ equality. By inspiring and engaging individuals and communities, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBTQ+ people and realize a world that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
HRC envisions a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people plus community members who use different language to describe identity are ensured equality and embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.
Responsibilities:
- Play an active role in the nation's largest LGBTQ+ equality organization.
- Gain valuable professional skills while developing your voice as an LGBTQ+ advocate and leader.
- Find your role in program areas, ranging from political to development, communications to education.
- Connect with some of the foremost LGBTQ+ and allied leaders through educational brown bag seminars and other events.
Interns must complete and pass a background check.
Location: Washington, DC (in-person or remote)
Department/Unit: Regional Partners Team
Description: KABOOM! in a national non-profit organization based in the Washington, DC area that is dedicated to ending racially based playspace inequity. We are working towards this mission by partnering with community based organization, school districts, and cities to build new playgrounds for kids who have been historically underserved while also advocating for policy change at the federal, state, and local levels of government.
Responsibilities: The person will be placed with our Regional Partners team and work on implementing our national 25 in 5 initiative. They will research potential local partners (school districts, municipal parks departments, etc.), develop written materials to be shared with broad audiences about the program, and work with our policy and development teams on securing resources to help advance greater access to play and physical activity infrastructure in historically disinvested communities.
Location: Washington, DC (hybrid)
Department/Unit: Advocacy, Education and Support
Description: The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI Delaware was founded in 1983 by Simon and Jill Shute along with a group of families desperate for support for their loved ones. Over the years, the organization has grown to provide a wide range of awareness, advocacy, support, education, and housing to support those affected by mental illness in Delaware.
Responsibilities: As an intern with NAMI Delaware's Advocacy, Education and Support team, you are committed to educating the local community about mental health and suicide prevention.
- Prepare engagement strategies for high schools, middle schools, community centers, and parent meetings across the state.
- Deliver custom presentations associated with mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts.
- Develop and update custom presentations tailored to fit that specific institution/organization’s needs.
- Review current events in the mental health world to keep presentations up to date with statistics.
- Participate in evidence-based trainings.
- Staff NAMI Delaware events as needed.
- Attend meetings and webinars on behalf of NAMI Delaware and take notes to bring back to the Advocacy, Education and Support team.
- Assist on other special assignments as needed.
- Reliable transportation needed
Location: Wilmington, DE (hybrid)
Description: Congresswoman Sarah McBride proudly represents the greatest state in the nation, and our country’s First State, Delaware, as its sole member of Congress. She is deeply committed to expanding access to health care, advocating for paid family and medical leave, and protecting Delaware’s workers and families. She is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. With deep roots in the first state, Congresswoman McBride is a passionate advocate for the needs of every community which informs her work in Washington, DC.
Responsibilities: Interns in Congresswoman Sarah McBride’s office will have the opportunity to gain valuable insight into Congress and the legislative process. Interns may be asked to answer phones, research legislation for the staff, take notes at briefings and hearings, or complete other administrative duties for the office.
Location: Washington, DC (in-person)
Job Title: Communications Intern
Reports To: Director of Communications
Description: The communications intern will play a key role in supporting the Office of the Lt. Governor in crafting and implementing communication strategies across multiple channels. This is a hands-on opportunity for someone interested in public service, digital communications, public relations, and civic engagement. The intern will assist in content creation, social media management, external communications, and event coordination to enhance public awareness and engagement with the Lt. Governor’s office.
Responsibilities:
Social Media Management
Assist in the creation of graphics, captions, and regular posts for the Office of the Lt. Governor’s social media accounts.
Monitor state and relevant local accounts, identifying opportunities for cross-promotion with other agencies, state/local leaders, and stakeholders.
Help maintain a consistent voice and messaging across all platforms.
External Communications
Draft and assist with the creation of newsletters containing relevant updates and information for the statewide constituency.
Prepare talking points and briefing materials for the Lt. Governor and team members for public-facing events and media engagements.
Event and Stakeholder Engagement:
Support the planning and execution of community events and public outreach initiatives.
Provide logistical support and assist with the creation of communication materials for events, including signage, flyers, and presentations.
Help with stakeholder outreach and maintaining communication with statewide partners.
Digital Content Creation
Assist with video editing, script writing, and production of digital content for the Office of the Lt. Governor’s social media platforms and website.
Help ensure all content is visually appealing, informative, and aligns with the office’s communication goals.
Recommended Skills and Interests:
Strong writing, editing, and communication skills.
Familiarity with social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite).
Basic video editing experience.
Detail-oriented with the ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Interest in government, public service, and civic engagement
Location: Delaware (in-person)
Description: Maryland Governor Wes Moore was inaugurated on January 18, 2023, as Maryland's 63rd Governor. Governor Moore's administration is built around a shared mission to leave no one behind - the belief that no matter where a person starts in life, they deserve an equal opportunity to succeed. To make that a reality, we're focused on building a strong and equitable economy, creating a world-class public education system, ensuring public safety, providing effective and affordable health care to those in need, and protecting the rights of every Marylander. Governor Moore's administration is committed to meeting the urgency of this moment with the leadership that Marylanders deserve. We stand united around our vision for a state where every person can thrive.
Location: Annapolis, MD (in-person or remote)
Description: As a U.S. Senator for more than a decade, Chris Coons has worked hard to find bipartisan solutions to the issues facing Delaware, the nation, and the world. Putting pragmatism ahead of politics, Chris has partnered with Republicans and Democrats alike to address key issues like economic competitiveness, foreign policy, climate change, and intellectual property. He sits on the Appropriations, Judiciary, Foreign Relations, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committees, and vice chairs the bipartisan Select Committee on Ethics. A longtime New Castle County resident, Chris served as New Castle County Council President and New Castle County Executive prior to his election to the U.S. Senate. He lives in Wilmington with his wife, Annie. They have three children: Michael, Jack, and Margaret.
Responsibilities:
- Wilmington - State office interns interact with Senator Coons, his staff, and Delaware constituents on a daily basis. They act as support to Senator Coons and the office staff through a wide variety of duties, including addressing constituent concerns, assisting the casework team, researching legislative issues, monitoring relevant news outlets, preparing memos and helping to organize outreach events.
- Washington, DC - Legislative interns work with the Senator and staff in his DC-based office. Interns support Senator Coons and staff through projects, including researching legislative issues, drafting memos and addressing constituent concerns. Interns also attend constituent meetings and congressional hearings, help organize outreach events, lead Capitol tours for constituents and assist with office operations.
Location: Wilmington, DE (in-person) or Washington, DC (in-person)
Please indicate on your cover letter which location you would like to apply for.
Department/Unit: Government Relations
Description: Save the Children is a global non-governmental organization. We work to ensure children survive and thrive in the United States and globally. Through our work in the United States and around the world, we've changed the lives of over 1 billion children. We work in over 100 countries, doing whatever it takes — every day and in times of crisis — to give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. In 2022 alone, Save the Children programs and partners helped 118 million children in 116 countries become healthier, safer and better educated.
Save the Children's Government Relations Department is a part of a division called Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns. Save the Children's Government Relations Department works on creating effective policy change and ensuring robust resources to meet the needs of children and achieve the highest program impact. To that end, we develop and advocate for policies that will give millions of children the best chance for success – securing a better future for us all. We cultivate political leadership to drive change and work with policymakers at local, national, and global levels.
Responsibilities: The domestic policy fellow will support the policy and advocacy work of the Domestic Federal Policy team under the supervision of Roy Chrobocinski, Managing Director, Domestic Policy, Save the Children. The fellow will be housed in the Department of Government Relations, Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns Division. The internship will provide critical support to the team's advocacy by tracking, analyzing, and contributing to the creation of advocacy products and execution of advocacy activities related to needs of children in the United States including addressing the needs of children in rural America, early childhood education or other related issues. The intern will also support other activities as needed such as attending meetings or congressional hearings or research on Members of Congress.
Location: Remote
Description: SocialSphere is a modern public opinion research and consulting firm founded and based in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Led by John Della Volpe, we specialize in qualitative and quantitative research methods and have unparalleled expertise in understanding and communicating with Gen Z and millennial populations.
We are social scientists, analysts, creative and strategic thinkers. Our collective experience spans decades and traverses dozens of political and public affairs campaigns, social and government initiatives, brand positionings and product launches. We partner with our “smart tribe” of subject-matter experts to bring our clients the most efficient and effective research methodologies, statistical tools and strategies. We remain at the forefront of technological advancements in the field, to render results in a clear, compelling and actionable manner.
Responsibilities: Given our work at the forefront of research and politics, this is an internship that is best suited for students who are intellectually curious and well-read on politics and public affairs. Interns will assist with both the qualitative and quantitative aspects of public opinion research, including brainstorming questions for surveys, taking notes during focus groups, crafting and fact-checking deliverables for clients, conducting background research and compiling publicly available opinion data and more. If you love politics and love data, this is the perfect opportunity for you.
Our company is remote so this position is virtual, but we are an active, collaborative team and each intern will be assigned a mentor.
Location: Remote
Description: TechNet is the national, bipartisan network of technology CEOs and senior executives that promotes the growth of the innovation economy by advocating a targeted policy agenda at the federal and 50-state level. TechNet’s diverse membership includes dynamic American businesses ranging from startups to the most iconic companies on the planet and represents over 4.5 million employees and countless customers in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence, e-commerce, the sharing and gig economies, advanced energy, transportation, cybersecurity, venture capital, and finance. TechNet has offices in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Harrisburg, Olympia, Sacramento, Silicon Valley, Tallahassee, and Washington, D.C.
This position will be in-person at TechNet’s Washington, D.C. office. TechNet is looking for candidates with strong written and verbal communication skills and an interest in tech advocacy. Interns will assist in the tracking, organization, communication, and advancement of TechNet’s federal legislative priorities. Relevant experience is preferred but not required.
Responsibilities:
- Conducting research on specific bills, issues, and voting records
Monitoring committee hearings and writing reports
Scheduling legislative meetings with policymakers and stakeholders
Tracking federal legislation
Other duties as assigned
Location: Washington, DC (in-person)
Description: The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more. There are over 1,400 such cities in the country today. Each city is represented in the conference by its chief elected official, the mayor. The conference serves as the leading advocacy group for cities. Mayors contribute to the development of national urban policy by serving on one or more of the conference’s standing committees. Cities are invited to share best practices on how they tackled challenges in a variety of issue areas. These are collected and showcased in various reports, surveys, forums and on our website.
Responsibilities: Policy interns will work with USCM staff on an issue of interest to the student. This could be a particular urban policy or best practice. Interns will also assist USCM staff in preparation for the annual meeting.
Location: Remote
Description: United For ALICE (UFA) is a driver of innovation, shining a light on the challenges faced by ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households and working with stakeholders across the country to find collaborative solutions. Through a standardized methodology that assesses the gap in income and cost of living for households in every county, UFA provides a comprehensive measure of financial hardship across the U.S. Our reports, tools and interactive dashboards provide high quality, unbiased data and analysis that is used by governments, nonprofits, academics, and the media to better understand and support ALICE families in local communities and nationwide.
Responsibilities: The intern will provide research and administrative support for the UFA team, working with us to uphold our methodological and statistical standards while assisting in coordination with key stakeholders. Specific tasks are outlined below and include research and data analysis and support for relevant UFA activities that may include surveys, reports, blog posts, website development, special projects, and more. This position requires someone with strong statistical and organizational skills, good communication, confidence to ask questions and comfort working as part of a team.
• Support data collection for UFA reports and data dashboards.
• Perform rigorous data-checking on ALICE Survival Budgets to ensure accuracy.
• Assist in developing and standardizing figures to visually represent ALICE data in ALICE reports.
Location: Remote
*This internship host site accepts graduate students.
