Navigating Congressional Budget Office Internships: A Comprehensive Guide
Internships with organizations like the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and those supported by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation (PGPF) offer invaluable experience for students interested in fiscal policy, economics, and related fields. These programs provide opportunities to contribute to real-world projects, network with professionals, and gain a deeper understanding of the budget process and policymaking at the federal level. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of internship opportunities, eligibility requirements, and the application process, drawing upon information from various sources.
Understanding Internship Opportunities
Several avenues exist for students seeking internships related to congressional budget matters and fiscal policy.
Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Internship Program
The Peter G. Peterson Foundation’s Fiscal Internship Program engages students in fiscal policy by providing them with first-hand research experience at public policy institutions in Washington, DC. The PGPF Fiscal Internship program offers full-time paid internships at leading policy organizations to a select group of college and graduate students interested in fiscal policy. The Peter G. Peterson Foundation partners with think tanks in Washington, DC, to provide interns with real world experience working on national fiscal issues. When applying, candidates may indicate a preference for placement at one or more organizations.
Participating organizations include:
- American Action Forum: A forward-looking policy institute dedicated to keeping America strong, free and prosperous.
- Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC): A non-profit organization that combines the best ideas from both parties to promote health, security, and opportunity for all Americans. Founded in 2007 by former Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchel, BPC drives principled and politically viable policy solutions through the power of rigorous analysis, painstaking negotiation, and aggressive advocacy.
- Brookings Institution: A private nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and innovative policy solutions.
- Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget: A bipartisan, nonprofit organization committed to educating the public about issues that have significant fiscal policy impact.
- Economic Policy Institute: The Economic Policy Institute's mission is to achieve shared prosperity by raising the economic status of low- and middle-income Americans.
- Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies: America’s Black think tank, provides compelling and actionable policy solutions to eradicate persistent and evolving barriers to the full freedom of Black people in America. We are the trusted forum for leading experts and scholars to participate in major public policy debates and promote ideas that advance Black communities.
- Mercatus Center: The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is the world’s premier university source for market-oriented ideas - bridging the gap between academic ideas and real-world problems. A university-based research center, Mercatus advances knowledge about how markets work to improve people’s lives by training graduate students, conducting research, and applying economics to offer solutions to society’s most pressing problems.
- Progressive Policy Institute: The Progressive Policy Institute's Center for Funding America’s Future works to promote a fiscally responsible public investment agenda that fosters robust and inclusive economic growth.
- R Street Institute: Founded in 2012, the R Street Institute is the leading think tank engaged in policy research and outreach in support of free markets and limited, effective government. and internationally.
- Urban Institute/Tax Policy Center: The Tax Policy Center (TPC) is a joint venture of the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, both nonpartisan research organizations in Washington, DC. (This listing relates to the Urban Institute.) The Center is made up of nationally recognized experts in tax, budget, and social policy who have served at the highest levels of government.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Summer Internship Program
The Congressional Budget Office’s summer internship program provides an excellent opportunity for students to experience and observe the budget process and policymaking at the federal level. Most of CBO’s employees are in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and the internships will ideally be conducted in a hybrid manner. The summer internship program runs from May 28, 2024, to August 2, 2024; there may be some flexibility in those dates.Interns contribute to CBO’s work on topics such as the slowdown in Medicare spending, the enrollment of immigrants in federal benefit programs, the availability and use of military aircraft, and financial risk in mortgage programs-as well as to estimating the budgetary costs of legislative proposals. In addition, interns participate in an educational program that includes briefings on CBO’s role in the budget process. Interns also have opportunities for networking with budget and policy professionals. Please see CBO’s page on internships for additional information.
Read also: Interview Tips for Internships
House Budget Committee Republicans Internship Program
Thank you for your interest in applying for an internship position with the House Budget Committee Republicans. Full and part-time positions are available throughout the year to students currently enrolled in college or recent graduates. College students pursuing a Political Science and/or Economics major, or those interested in government, are encouraged to apply. Internships during the school year last a full semester. Summer internships are also available. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply with the office which most appropriately reflects their political views.
Eligibility Requirements and Qualifications
Specific eligibility requirements vary depending on the internship program. However, some common qualifications include:
Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Internship Program
- Rising juniors, rising seniors, and current graduate students are eligible to apply.
- Students must have taken at least two courses in economics, math, statistics or political science, and have a working fluency with numbers.
- PhD candidates and graduate students in medical school are not eligible to apply.
- Applicants who have completed all coursework regardless of academic program (undergraduate or graduate) are not eligible to apply.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Summer Internship Program
- All CBO summer internships require solid writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.
- Familiarity with computer programming, statistics, econometrics, and other quantitative methods is required.
- Ideal candidates also have exceptional interpersonal and analytical skills.
- citizens are eligible for consideration, as are noncitizens who are permanent residents of the United States and seeking citizenship.
- Students must also:
- Be enrolled as a current graduate student, have completed their undergraduate education during the 2023-2024 academic year, or expect to complete their undergraduate education during the 2024-2025 academic year.
- Have an undergraduate major in economics, data science, public policy, mathematics, computer science, or related field or be pursuing graduate study in such a field. (Those pursuing an MBA or JD will not be considered.)
- Be proficient with at least one type of data analysis software, such as SAS, STATA, Python, or R.
House Budget Committee Republicans Internship Program
- Students currently enrolled in college or recent graduates.
- College students pursuing a Political Science and/or Economics major, or those interested in government, are encouraged to apply.
The Application Process
The application process generally involves submitting a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and letters of recommendation.
Peter G. Peterson Foundation Fiscal Internship Program
After your application is submitted, the Peterson Foundation staff will check your application for completeness. Then all completed applications will be made available to the host organizations. Host organizations will be responsible for assessing, interviewing, and hiring candidates from that point. Candidates may be contacted directly by one or more of the host scholars for an interview. Interviews typically take place in March and April.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Summer Internship Program
Students must submit a cover letter, a résumé, contact information for two references (who may know the applicant either from academic work or from employment), and an unofficial copy of transcripts that include coursework for the spring semester. First-year graduate students must submit both an undergraduate transcript and a graduate transcript. Shortly after the deadline, hiring managers will review complete applications to determine whether candidates’ interests, background, and skills would complement the summer projects to be staffed. CBO may contact candidates to determine their interest in the internship and confirm their skills and availability. CBO expects to extend offers by the first week of April.
Read also: Applying for Congressional Internships
House Budget Committee Republicans Internship Program
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply with the office which most appropriately reflects their political views.
Compensation and Duration
- Congressional Budget Office: The hourly rate ranges from $18.50 to $24.00 and will be commensurate with educational attainment and related experience. This is a temporary position for the fall semester. The selected candidate would be expected to work a 24-hour week, but an alternative schedule may be considered.
- Peter G. Peterson Foundation: The PGPF Fiscal Internship program offers full-time paid internships.
- House Budget Committee Republicans: Full and part-time positions are available throughout the year. Internships during the school year last a full semester. Summer internships are also available.
Benefits of Participating
Interns consistently report positive experiences, highlighting the value of these programs for career development and skill-building.
- "The program really gave me a better sense of how top-notch think tanks function."
- "I was really glad to have the opportunity to work at an organization whose work I’ve been following."
- "My favorite thing about the internship was the opportunity to hear from speakers at various different think tanks."
- "I really enjoyed the opportunity to hear from a wide variety of other top policy organizations in DC and learn about their research."
- "The PGPF program was a phenomenal internship experience overall. I am ending the internship knowing a significant amount more on budget issues than I did on my first day of interning."
- "I would absolutely recommend this program, the internship was fantastic, as were the seminars."
- "The PGPF Fiscal Internship Program solidified my passion for economics and public policy."
- "This summer, I did not feel like an intern, I am part of the team with the same respect and responsibilities as a full team member."
- "My host scholar was approachable, trusted me with significant responsibility, and encouraged my independent research exploration on the topics I was interested in."
Key Skills Gained
Interns develop a variety of skills, including:
- Analytical Skills: Analyzing complex data and policy issues.
- Communication Skills: Writing clearly and concisely, presenting research findings.
- Research Skills: Conducting literature reviews, gathering data, and performing quantitative analysis.
- Interpersonal Skills: Working collaboratively with colleagues, networking with professionals.
- Technical Skills: Utilizing data analysis software such as SAS, STATA, Python, or R.
Application Tips
- Tailor your application: Highlight relevant coursework, skills, and experiences that align with the specific requirements of each internship program.
- Showcase your writing skills: Provide a strong writing sample that demonstrates your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
- Emphasize your quantitative skills: Highlight your proficiency in data analysis software and statistical methods.
- Seek recommendations: Request letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors who can speak to your academic abilities, work ethic, and potential.
- Proofread carefully: Ensure that your application is free of errors in grammar and spelling.
Read also: APAICS Fellowship Opportunities
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