Research Intern - Center for Trade Policy Studies

To be considered for this role, you must apply directly through our online application. 

About the Role

This paid, in-person internship in Washington, DC (25–40 hours per week over 12 weeks) joins Cato’s Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies, working with Scott Lincicome (Vice President, General Economics & Stiefel Trade Policy Center), Colin Grabow (Associate Director; Jones Act/domestic protectionism), and Clark Packard (Research Fellow; international trade policy).

You’ll convert developments in US and global trade into clear, data-based analysis for speeches, articles, and visual explainers—using official sources such as BEA, Census, the Federal Reserve, and BLS (and, as relevant, USITC, USTR, and WTO datasets).

The team’s work engages live policy debates—tariffs, supply chains, WTO rules, and shipping laws (including the Jones Act)—giving you practical exposure to both trade law and trade economics.

Responsibilities

• Keep up with trade policy updates and write summaries and opinions on those developments.
• Gather information from executive agency and legislative committee hearings, as well as conferences and other events hosted by think tanks, business associations, and other interest groups.
• Collect and analyze data from official sources, such as the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Census Bureau, Federal Reserve, and Bureau of Labor Statistics, to support arguments for free trade and free markets.
• Support the work of Cato trade policy scholars by conducting background research, compiling data, and creating tables, charts, outlines, and summaries of articles and papers.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in—and working familiarity with—US trade policy, global trade institutions (e.g., WTO), and current debates, aligned with Cato’s principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
• Strong research and policy writing; draft clear summaries and initial copy with accurate citations to primary sources.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel (filters/sort, XLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH, PivotTables); create clean datasets and charts.
• Ability to collect, reconcile, and visualize data from BEA, Census, Federal Reserve, and BLS (and similar sources) to support arguments for free trade.
• Ability to manage short-turnaround briefs alongside longer projects; work independently with sound judgment.
• Collaborative communication—clear updates, dependable follow-through, and helpful feedback loops.

The Cato Internship Program

Cato’s paid internships are available for undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate students, law students, and early-career professionals who are strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace—principles that together form libertarianism, also known as “classical liberalism,” “market liberalism,” or, to many of our international friends, simply “liberalism.” 

All Cato interns participate in the same intensive seminar series, which covers a wide range of history, philosophy, policy, and professional development topics. Interns also assist with events and occasionally support Cato staff with other daily tasks. 

Interns receive competitive pay. Part-time roles are adjusted accordingly and require a minimum of 25 hours per week. Program participants must be able to attend in person in Washington, DC.

For more information about the internship program and experience, we encourage you to explore our website. If you have any questions, email studentprograms@cato.org.