Research Intern - Latin American Public Policy

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/week over 12 weeks) joins Cato’s Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity, working closely with Ian Vásquez (Vice President for International Studies; coauthor of the Human Freedom Index) on Latin American public policy and regional issues.

You’ll monitor major Spanish- and English-language media, analyze policy trends, and turn regional indicators into clear insights that support papers and op-eds for audiences in the United States and Latin America. You’ll also assist with Spanish-language outreach through ElCato.org (Cato’s Spanish-language platform) and collaborate with scholars focused on the region’s economic and personal freedom. 

The Center’s work emphasizes how protecting human rights, expanding personal choice, and advancing economic freedom promote prosperity—a context you’ll explore daily in this role.

Responsibilities

• Gather supporting research and fact-finding for scholars’ op-eds, blog posts, and similar content.
• Provide daily updates to scholars on major global news, especially concerning Latin America.
• Collect, compile, and analyze data on various economic and social indicators.
• Collaborate with El Cato’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram).
• Occasionally participate in events and forums related to the scholars’ projects.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated interest in—and working familiarity with—Latin American public policy, political economy, and regional affairs, aligned with Cato’s principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace.
• Spanish (required): read and write fluently; able to produce concise summaries and short translations for ElCato.org.
• Strong research and policy writing; precise use of primary sources and clear, succinct summaries.
• Microsoft Excel (filters/sort, XLOOKUP or INDEX-MATCH, PivotTables); organized, well-labeled datasets; experience with R/Python/Stata for light data work is a plus.
• Comfortable with regional indicators and reports (e.g., human/economic freedom and development metrics); careful with definitions/units and clean charting.
• Professionalism and reliability—can meet deadlines, communicate proactively, exercise sound cross-cultural judgment, and collaborate effectively.

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.