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NTIA Internship Program

About the Program:

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is the principal advisor to the President on communications and information policies.  An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NTIA works to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the Internet and other modes of communication, including by allocating wireless spectrum for high-speed data services, strengthening protections for consumer privacy online, and ensuring the continued multistakeholder character of global Internet governance.  The agency offers legal, policy, and technical internship opportunities throughout the year.  Internships provide opportunities for interested students to increase their knowledge of the issues and technologies that are shaping the communications and online environments, while at the same time contributing directly to NTIA’s work.  NTIA seeks bright students motivated by a passion for Internet and communication policy to join our team and gain valuable experience with a federal agency.

Internships at the NTIA are generally unpaid unless otherwise specified and announced through www.usajobs.gov.  All internships at the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) in Boulder Colorado are paid.  Students may qualify for academic credit from an institution of higher learning.  While most interns are studying public policy, international affairs, engineering, or legal disciplines, the various offices may have opportunities for students in other disciplines as well.

NTIA Application Process: School year internship positions typically vary in length from eight to ten weeks.  The summer program typically offers 12-week positions between May and September.  The summer intern program also incorporates weekly meetings and group activities to allow interns from separate offices to participate in shared experiences and tasks.  

Internships are arranged by the individual offices within NTIA on a part- or full-time basis.  The offices offer internship opportunities throughout the school year in addition to the traditional summer program.  Each office independently determines the number of interns, timeframes, and tasks assigned to their respective interns.

NTIA Divisions and Offices:

Intern Basic Qualification Requirements:

All applicants applying to participate in the NTIA Student Volunteer Internship Program must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen.
  • Be enrolled on a full-time or at least half-time basis at an accredited institution.  
  • Be a student in good academic standing.
  • Be able to apply for and receive a Commerce ID (requires satisfactory pre-appointment security processing, to include submission of electronic security form and fingerprints).

How to Apply:

  1. Research the various divisions and offices to learn more about them and choose a location that best fits your interests and goals.
  2. Select the office(s) which you would like to apply to and in the body of an e-mail state clearly which offices those are. Please attach a current resume and cover letter, and address the e-mail to intern.program@ntia.gov.
  3. Please be patient.  Only after you have been contacted by someone from the NTIA, will you be asked to provide additional information.

What to Expect Next:

Individual offices will independently review applications and determine which candidates to contact for interviews. If tentatively selected to intern at an office within NTIA, you will be asked to complete paperwork for a background investigation and provide documentation of your U.S. citizenship and your school enrollment and standing. An internship offer will be extended only after all forms are processed with a satisfactory outcome.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.