ACMER Foundation Leadership Development Program Spring 2027 Internship

Position: Leadership Development Program Spring 2027 Internship 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Date posted: August 11, 2026 
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The priority deadline is September 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT. 
Compensation: $4,000-$5,500 stipend. Stipend is pre-determined depending on hours. 
Info Session: Join us via Zoom on August 31st (5-6 PM) to learn more about the program and ask any questions.  

Job Description 

The American Committee for Middle East Rights Foundation (ACMER Foundation) Leadership Development Program (LDP) Spring 2027 Internship, a paid internship for undergraduate students and graduates. ACMER Foundation strongly encourages applications from individuals of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) descent, as well as those with a demonstrated interest in MENA-related foreign policy, human rights, and national security. The LDP places participants in congressional offices and NGOs working on foreign policy issues where students receive hands-on experience and direct exposure to the policymaking process. 

Over the course of the spring semester, interns will work in congressional offices or DC-based NGOs where they will gain direct insight into the legislative and advocacy processes that drive U.S. foreign policy. Alongside their placements, ACMER Foundation LDP interns participate in a mandatory professional development program and networking events designed to strengthen leadership skills and expand professional networks. The program aims to equip the next generation of leaders with the tools and connections needed to launch careers on Capitol Hill and in the broader policy and advocacy community. Full-time and part-time schedules are available. 

Program Objectives  

• Promote MENA-American representation in legislative and advocacy processes and encourage engagement with MENA-related issues  
• Provide substantive, hands-on experience working in congressional offices and DC-based NGOs  
• Deepen participants’ understanding of U.S. policymaking and the legislative and advocacy processes that shape it  
• Strengthen participants’ leadership skills and professional networks through structured programming and networking events 

Program Details  

• Program Dates: January–May 2027 (exact dates flexible). Full-time and part-time (20+ hours) schedules are available. 
• Compensation: $4,000-5,500 stipend paid by ACMER. The stipend is pre-determined depending on the intern’s work schedule and is not open to negotiation. Need-based additional financial assistance may be available. 
• Location: Washington, DC. Interns are responsible for coordinating their own housing for the duration of the program and must reside in DC for the entirety of the program. Full-time virtual options are not available. 

Eligibility Requirements  

Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are currently enrolled as seniors in a full-time undergraduate program or recently graduated from their undergraduate program. While the LDP welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, it strongly encourages individuals of MENA descent, as well as those with demonstrated interest in MENA-related foreign policy, national security, or human rights. Candidates should ideally be pursuing degrees in international affairs, political science, law, or a related field, and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Preference will be given to applicants interested in Congressional offices, and to those who reside in or attend school within the districts of participating congressional offices. 

Application Procedure   

To apply, please visit the application form where you will be asked to answer four short-answer questions, and upload a pdf copy of your resume (2 pages max), a list of 2-3 references, and an unofficial transcript. The priority deadline is September 13, 2026 at 11:59pm PT. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will remain open past the priority deadline. You will be asked to indicate your placement preferences: Congressional Office or a DC-based NGO. Only completed applications submitted through this link will be considered. Please do not apply through LinkedIn or other job sites.  

Selection Timeline  

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview in September or October. Selected interns will then go through a host placement process and should expect to be available for additional interviews with host offices or organizations throughout the fall. All selected interns should expect to attend a mandatory virtual orientation in December. We will make every effort to notify all applicants of their status.  

About ACMER 

Founded in May 2022, ACMER is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization dedicated to strengthening the longstanding relationship between the United States and the Middle East and North Africa through a principled U.S. foreign policy rooted in democratic values and human rights.   

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, ACMER will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. For assistance – such as an alternative application format, auxiliary aids, or interview modifications – please contact ACMER Senior Program Manager Gabriella Lewis at gabriella@acmer.us. ACMER is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.