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Are you trying to begin a career in policy, communications, fundraising, or law? Do you want a rich education in contemporary policy issues—and the philosophical, historic, and economic underpinnings of those issues? A Cato internship might be right for you.

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The Cato Internship Program

The Cato Institute is one of the world’s leading libertarian think tanks and one of the most prominent public policy research organizations in the country. Cato’s prestigious internship program offers interns the opportunity to develop hands‐​on research experience while learning professional skills and building their professional network.

Get Paid to Work in Public Policy

All Cato interns earn $17.00 per hour. Program participants also may complete their Cato internship for course credit.

Application Deadlines

Upcoming Term: Fall 2024

All prospective Cato interns must fill out an application to be considered. This includes graduate students, legal interns, Harvard IoP applicants, Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Interns, TFAS Capital Semester students, Metcalf Fellows, FTE interns, Stand Together Fellows, etc.

Applicants living abroad and international applicants are encouraged to apply but will need to be authorized to work in the United States and must be able to work in person in Washington, DC to participate. The Cato Institute will sponsor a limited number of J‑1 visas.

Fall Semester: Mid‐​September to Mid‐​December

  • For the upcoming Fall 2024 term, the application opens on May 24, 2024, and must be completed by 11:59 pm ET, July 7, 2024.

  • You will be notified of your application status by July 22, 2024. You will receive a final decision by August 20, 2024.

Spring Semester: Late January to Late April
  • For the upcoming Spring 2024 term, the application opens on September 14, 2024, and must be completed by 11:59pm ET, November 19, 2023.

You will be notified of your application status by December 4, 2023. You will receive a final decision by December 22, 2023.

Summer Semester: Late‐​May to Mid‐​August
  • For the upcoming Summer 2024 term, the application opens on January 8, 2024, and must be completed by 11:59pm ET, March 14, 2024.

You will be notified of your application status by March 25, 2024. You will receive a final decision by April 15, 2024.



Please note that starting with the Fall 2022 term, applications will no longer be accepted on a rolling basis.