At the Atlantic Council, we advance our mission of “shaping the global future together” by taking on global, generational challenges – those the next generation is inheriting.
To meet this moment, we are committed to fostering the next generation of international affairs professionals. To this end, we have relaunched our internship program as a world-class, paid Young Global Professionals (YGP) Program. This initiative is designed to provide exceptional young people with in-depth exposure to international affairs and an opportunity to play an active role in shaping real-world solutions to global challenges.
This prestigious paid internship program for intellectual entrepreneurs offers hands-on experience working at the forefront of international affairs and global engagement. The program is also designed as a career accelerator.
Inspired by the Atlantic Council’s enduring purpose of working with friends and allies to shape the future, our Young Global Professionals Program has been designed to harness the potential of rising young leaders. Those with expertise, a passion for the work, an entrepreneurial and solutions-oriented ethos, an innovative mind, and an optimistic and collegial attitude are encouraged to join us to further this audacious undertaking.
Program participants will:
- Receive in-depth exposure to one of our 16 applicable programs or centers and become a valuable part of the Atlantic Council team through engagement with leading strategists, government officials, business leaders, tech entrepreneurs, and military commanders; exposure to the writing and editing process for publications and the logistical elements of event planning; and creating initiatives within a foreign affairs institution.
- Play key roles in helping our programs operate, from helping to produce high-profile public and private events, writing copy to amplify our work on various communication channels, to providing research to support task force reports, digital products or proposals and originating data visualizations.
- Participate in orientation and professional development programs, including practical software and systems training, career development training, and participation in the Council’s Masterclass series centered around substantive current events and geopolitical issues.
Participating programs and centers for the Spring 2026 cohort include:
- Atlantic Council Turkey Program
- Eurasia Center
- Europe Center
- GeoEconomics Center
- GeoEconomics Center, Economic Statecraft Initiative
- Global Energy Center
- Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense
- Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Forward Defense
Fall 2026 applications close on June 5, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Visit our website to apply and learn more.
PLEASE NOTE: Interested candidates must apply through the Atlantic Council website. Applications submitted via Handshake, email, or direct mail will NOT be considered. Due to the large volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No emails or phone calls, please.
