The Department of Education is offering unpaid summer internships for doctoral scholars interested in seeking valuable work experience in government and federal education policy and administration. Interns will have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the Department’s mission to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
Doctoral students interested in this unpaid internship opportunity within the Research to Practice Division (RTP) of the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) should submit a declaration of interest via this form: Declaration of Interest Form – Summer 2025 RTP Internship.
The deadline for submitting the declaration of interest, including required cover letter, letter of support, and CV/resume, is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 10, 2025.
There will be a limited number of interns selected. You will be notified by email whether or not you are to proceed with the application process. If selected to proceed, you will be notified by January 17th and given information to complete a full application by February 7th, 2025.
About the Internship:
The virtual summer internship program with RTP will take place for a minimum of 9 weeks with the expectation of interns being available online at least 20 hours per week, Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Time, June 2nd to August 1st, 2025. Interns will be expected to complete tasks assigned to them via their mentor(s) and to attend program-specific events. In-person events such as the OSEP Leadership and Project Director’s Conference (dates for 2025 to be determined) are optional; however, there may be additional internship opportunities/experiences available for interns who are able to attend the OSEP Summer Conference. (Please note OSEP is unable to guarantee financial support for interns to travel to attend in-person events; while encouraged, in-person attendance at conferences will not be a requirement or selection criterion for interns.) Initiating connections and networking are highly encouraged and will be facilitated through mentors.
Eligibility criteria:
Interns must meet the definition of a “Student” at the time of appointment and throughout the duration of the appointment. Student means an individual who is enrolled and seeking a doctoral degree in a qualifying educational institution, on a full or half-time basis (as defined by the institution in which the student is enrolled). OSEP/RTP internship applicants should be doctoral students who will have completed at least two years of their doctoral program prior to starting the internship.
be a U.S. Citizen.
be at least 16 years of age.
be willing to complete a background investigation and fingerprint check.
attend a doctoral program at an accredited educational institution.
be enrolled on a, at least, half-time basis in a course of study related to the work to be performed.
be in good academic standing as defined by their accredited educational institution.
Potential interns should include the following when completing the form (Declaration of Interest):
A cover letter including a description of how an internship with the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) would be supportive of and/or connected to your research interests and/or career goals. To learn more about topical issues, toolkits, and briefs developed- or sponsored-by OSEP, please visit Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) | U.S. Department of Education.
A letter of support from a doctoral advisor or faculty member from your university program or other written permission from the institution at which you are currently enrolled, acknowledging your declaration of interest in participating in the internship program.
A current resume and or C/V.
If you have technical question about completing the Declaration of Interest form, please email Sydney.Ferrell@ed.gov or Rebecca.Sheffield@ed.gov.
If you have broader questions about the internship, please email Rebecca.Sheffield@ed.gov