Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship Summer 2026

Institute for the Study of War•Washington, DC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

ISW Internship Program Overview ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships remote for Summer 2026. Instructions to apply for the scholarship are below. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. ISW offers internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, and Iran's proxy networks. ISW also offers internships in National Security & Intelligence Analysis, our Cognitive Warfare Task Force, and in Communications. Why Work for ISW? ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, 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 have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policymakers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Our interns work directly with analysts. They receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines. The ISW Internship Program is one of three core education programs housed within The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, launched to identify, educate, and develop the future cadre of leaders committed to America’s national security. ISW views interns as an integral component of its team. ISW has worked with interns to draft, edit, and publish their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts. It has also hired many interns onto its staff. Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship : ISW uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to improve research collection, intelligence analysis, and visualizations. Interns will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, and data visualization to help refine how ISW’s analysts implement these cutting-edge tools. This internship provides practical hands-on experience using GIS in national security and intelligence applications. Interns will support data collection, analysis, and visualizations that support ISW’s world-renowned maps. Interns may also have valuable interactions with software partners who are transforming the national security space. Interns will receive further training on some of these platforms. ISW’s roster of technology partners includes Neo4J, Babel Street, Ntrepid, and Planet Labs, among many others. This is a full-time internship (five days per week), but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements

Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
Candidates must possess strong capabilities in GIS software such as Esri's ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online.
Candidates must display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
Candidates should be self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
Candidates must show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.
Interns must both 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 you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW .

Nice To Haves

Experience with SQL or ArcGIS Python (Arcpy), is a plus.
Candidates will preferably have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East.