Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship

Job Description

Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship (Summer 2026)

ISW Internship Program Overview

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is dedicated to developing the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW is currently seeking motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join its intern team for Summer 2026.

ISW offers in-person, remote, and hybrid internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including areas such as Russia, China, Iran’s proxy networks, National Security & Intelligence Analysis, and the Cognitive Warfare Task Force, as well as Communications.

Why Work for ISW?

ISW operates on the principle that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. To achieve this, ISW conducts detailed open-source intelligence analysis to provide timely and accurate information on current conflicts and security threats directly to policy-makers and warfighters.

• Interns at ISW gain an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policymakers on critical American national security issues.
• Interns work directly with analysts, receiving classroom education and regular leadership engagement.
• You will have the chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community.
• Interns stand at the forefront of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises.
• The ISW Internship Program is a core component of The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, designed to identify, educate, and develop future leaders committed to America’s national security.
• ISW views interns as an integral part of its team; many interns have had the opportunity to draft, edit, and publish their own research under senior analyst mentorship, and many have been subsequently hired onto ISW staff.

Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship Details

ISW utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to enhance research collection, intelligence analysis, and visualizations. As a Geospatial Intelligence intern, you will:

• Use GIS, satellite remote sensing, and data visualization to refine how ISW’s analysts implement these cutting-edge tools.
• Gain practical, hands-on experience applying GIS in national security and intelligence contexts.
• Support data collection, analysis, and visualizations for ISW’s renowned maps.
• Potentially interact with software partners who are transforming the national security space.
• Receive further training on various platforms from ISW’s technology partners, which include Neo4J, Babel Street, Ntrepid, and Planet Labs, among others.

This is primarily a full-time internship (five days per week), though part-time work may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifications

Candidates for this internship must meet the following criteria:

• Motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
• Possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Possess strong capabilities in GIS software such as Esri’s ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online. Experience with SQL or ArcGIS Python (Arcpy) is a significant plus.
• Display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Be self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Preferably have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly concerning Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East.
• Show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.

Summer 2026 Internship Program Dates & Logistics

• Start Date: June 2, 2026
• End Date: August 21, 2026
• Interns must be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized.
• If attending a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain CPT authorization before beginning at ISW.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until April 17, 2026.
• ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.

Application Instructions

Please upload the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample

Your cover letter and writing sample combined should be no longer than five pages total. The writing sample can be an excerpt from a longer paper.

ISW Scholarship Application

The Institute for the Study of War offers intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. To be considered for this scholarship, you must upload a separate scholarship application as part of your internship application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until April 17, 2026.

Scholarship Assessment Criteria:

• Ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and
• Financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.

Scholarship Application Requirements:

Within the scholarship application, candidates should upload a 2- to 3-page cover letter (this must be different from the internship application cover letter) that answers each of the following questions:

1. Which ISW internship is your top choice? Why do you believe you are qualified?
2. What do you believe to be the most pressing national security problem the US faces today? What solution(s) would you propose?
3. Where do you see yourself in your future career? How will an ISW internship help you get there?
4. Why have you chosen to apply for this supplemental scholarship?
5. Are you currently receiving federal financial aid and/or need-based aid from your university? Feel free to describe using as much detail as you are comfortable.

Please note: The up to $1,000 monthly scholarship is classified as taxable income.

Questions?

Email internships@understandingwar.org for more information.