The Government Department funds summer internships through the Chair’s Traveling Fund. Offered in partnership with several Harvard Centers, these internships offer the opportunity to fuse practical and academic experiences. These internships are open only to Government concentrators, unless otherwise noted. Please note that selection in each case will be made by a joint Government/Center committee and may also require an interview with the host institution. This list is updated periodically, so please check back in the future.
Centre for Global Studies
University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
The Centre for Global Studies (CFGS) in Victoria (BC) is pleased to offer fully funded research internships over the summer (preferred period: May-June). The intern will be involved in the Centre’s multidisciplinary and international research initiatives, participating in a highly engaging and collaborative work environment organized around four core themes: governance, environmental challenges, social justice, and culture and identity. The CFGS and its core research projects are strongly committed to community-based research and innovative outreach initiatives. The Centre has a rich history of producing cutting-edge research and disseminating it in accessible ways for both policy makers and the wider community.
The intern will be part of one of the Centre’s core projects all critically concerned with Canada’s legacy of colonial structures and dedicated to working with Indigenous communities:
- The POLIS Project on Ecological Governance, exploring new governance approaches with an explicit focus on ecological function and healthy watersheds, conservation, community-driven collaboration, stewardship, and respect for Indigenous rights and knowledge;
- The Borders in Globalization – 21st Century Borders with a focus also on Nationhood & Nationalism: Indigenous Self-Determination;
- The EU funded Jean Monnet Project on Memory Politics exploring past injustices in a comparative, transatlantic perspective.
In addition, intern will have the opportunity to connect with UVic’s Centre for Indigenous Research and Community-led Engagement.
The tasks of the intern may include, but are not limited to:
- Assistance in research projects: literature research, data analysis, communication, visualisation and presentation of research findings and outreach initiatives;
- Assistance in project related events or initiatives in the community.
The precise content of the internship is going to be agreed on between the academic mentor and the intern.
CFGS staff will be able to point interns to relevant sources of information for finding housing in Victoria.
Application deadline is February 14, 2025. Please apply through CARAT.
Please include in your application:
- One-page cover letter (should address what part of the program appeals most (e.g., environment, Indigenous rights, etc.)
- Unofficial transcript
- One letter of recommendation
ZOiS Internship, Berlin, Germany
The Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) in Berlin can offer generously funded research internships over the summer. Thanks to the internship, students can be involved in one of the capital’s most dynamic research institutes on Central and Eastern Europe and acquire a deeper understanding of the political and public dynamics in Germany. The institute undertakes fundamental research and also plays an active part in the political and public discourse on Germany.
The intern will be part of one of the institute’s main research clusters (Youth in Eastern Europe, Societies between Stability and Change, Conflict Dynamics and Border Regions, Migration and Diversity, and the Political Economy of Eastern Europe). Therein, the person will contribute to one specific research project and will have the opportunity to pursue work on an independent research paper in consultation with the supervisor. The academic leader of the chosen research cluster is also going to act as the personal supervisor of the intern. The tasks of the intern may include, but are not limited to:
- Assistance in research projects: literature research, data analysis, visualisation and presentation of data (using R) and research findings, and support in conceiving new projects
- Background research for project- and event-related publications or lectures by ZOiS staff or for media requests
The precise content of the internship is going to be agreed on between the academic mentor and the intern.
Excellent Microsoft Office skills are required; knowledge of a statistical programming language such as R is an advantage but no requirement. Knowledge of Russian or another East European language is desirable. Knowledge of German is helpful but not required.
Administrative staff at ZOiS can point to relevant sources of information for finding housing in Berlin.
The application deadline for this internship is February 14, 2025. Please apply through CARAT.
Center for Applied Non-Violent Action (CANVAS) – Belgrade, Serbia
The Center for Applied Nonviolent Actions and Strategies (CANVAS) was founded in 2005 in Belgrade, Serbia by a team that organized a successful nonviolent movement Otpor! which led to the overthrow of Slobodan Milosevic. Twenty years later, CANVAS now operates a network of international trainers and consultants with expertise in building and running successful nonviolent movements around the world. Our trainers have broad experience in working with activists from more than 50 countries. They also regularly teach courses on nonviolent strategy to a range of international educational institutions.
The CANVAS Analytical Research intern will primarily conduct case studies, situational analyses and assist with ongoing academic research projects with our university partners. The duties of our interns are dependent on the current needs and projects of the organization at the time of their internship. Intern responsibilities include:
- Region-specific analyses and research
- Case study research
- Tracking current events
- Drafting and proofreading English language publications
- Social media management
- Research and publication of our weekly reports
For complete details, please view the position description here.
The Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies offers a number of summer opportunities which you can review here.
FUNDING: Funding levels for in-person internships are based on country-level stipends determined annually by the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) and typically range from $5,000 to $8,000 for an eight-week time period (pro-rated for shorter or longer periods).
Eligibility
Undergraduate Students
This opportunity is available for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Requires 1 recommendation
Requires supplemental documents
- One-page cover letter
- Current 1 page Resume
- Current Transcript
- Additional Supplemental Document (not required)
Application deadline is February 3, 2025. Please apply through CARAT.
Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation / EuroClio – The Hague, Netherlands
The Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation (IHJR), a research center at EuroClio–European Association of History Educators in The Hague — is seeking interns to assist with its Contested Histories in Public Spaces project. Work will include research and evaluation of project materials, assisting in the drafting of research papers and mapping studies, as well as the development of interactive, online materials and assisting in program development.
Responsibilities include:
- Researching and drafting new case studies and revising completed cases;
- Assisting in the development and maintenance of the website (currently in development: contestedhistories.org);
- Assisting with the coordination of the Contested Histories – On-Site project (in cooperation with the Memory Studies Association) and its related communication campaign;
- Contributing to the publication of occasional papers, podcasts, blogs, and other digital media
- Working with data cleaning (rebuilding missing data and standardizing data) and analyzing with the aim of supporting the development of an information management system.
Timeframe: 8 weeks – June and July 2025
For complete details, please view the position description here.
The Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies offers a number of summer opportunities which you can review here.
FUNDING: Funding levels for in-person internships are based on country-level stipends determined annually by the Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS) and typically range from $5,000 to $8,000 for an eight-week time period (pro-rated for shorter or longer periods).
Eligibility
Undergraduate Students
This opportunity is available for rising seniors.
Requires 1 recommendation
Requires supplemental documents
- One-page cover letter
- Current 1 page Resume
- Current Transcript
- Additional Supplemental Document (not required)
Application deadline is February 3, 2025. Please apply through CARAT.
Harvard Greater China Student Internship Program
Embark on a transformative journey with the Harvard Greater China Student Internship Program (HGCSIP), an eight-week immersive experience placing Harvard undergraduates in corporations, NGOs, and multinational companies across Greater China. HGCSIP blends cultural exploration with professional development, offering internships in diverse industries. The program includes a week-long field trip, connecting students with cultural institutions, entrepreneurs, and academics. With a legacy since 2008, HGCSIP has become Harvard’s largest summer internship initiative. Applications are now open. More details can be found on the program website. Apply by January 31, 2025!
DRCLAS Summer Internship Program
DEADLINE: Wednesday, February 5th @ 11:59pm via CARAT
DRCLAS will offer the Summer Internship Program (SIP) during summer 2025, which is held in-person and based in Brazil, Chile and Mexico. The SIP offers students the opportunity to engage with Latin America in a meaningful manner that will help shape professional skills, cultural knowledge, and language capabilities. SIP enables students to build connections both within and surrounding Latin America, through its weekly DRCLAS-led, community cultural activities. Various departments and centers on campus collaborate with DRCLAS to co-sponsor specific internship placements by funding selected students. For government concentrators specifically, co-sponsored placements are available in both São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Learn more about the program and various fields of placement here. Apply by February 5th on CARAT here.