2026 Summer Internship

Overview

FIRE’s 10-week, paid summer internship offers undergraduate students a hands-on opportunity to defend civil liberties on campuses nationwide. As part of our broader mission to educate and empower the next generation of First Amendment advocates, interns gain real-world experience, individualized mentorship, and the chance to contribute meaningfully to FIRE’s work protecting student rights.

FIRE interns do substantive work and participate in weekly seminars with FIRE staff and other experts on freedom of expression, due process, and much more.

Interns will work at FIRE’s downtown Philadelphia office. The 2026 program will run from June 2–August 7, and interns will receive a stipend of $6,400. The internship application process opens on September 1, 2025 and will close on Sunday, February 15th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).

Qualifications and Responsibilities

FIRE is seeking passionate, team-oriented, and driven undergraduates (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors) attending colleges and universities in the United States who are looking to engage in free speech activism on campus. Ideal candidates are responsible, focused, and organized; have a passion for civil liberties; and have a history of taking action in support of causes they believe in. All interns are expected to demonstrate excellent research, writing, and communication skills. The ability to work under pressure and a sense of humor are also important.

FIRE interns:

- Work closely with our student development, defense, policy reform, legislation, development, and media teams to assist with research and administrative projects.

- Assist with the planning and execution of the FIRE Student Network Summer Conference, taking place on July 17–19, 2026 in Philadelphia, and lead educational and interactive sessions for conference attendees.

- Assist with the planning and execution of the Free Speech Forum in late June, FIRE's immersive week-long summer camp for high school students.

- Serve as a residential counselor during the Free Speech Forum, providing supervision, mentorship, and facilitation of educational activities centered on free speech.

- Have the opportunity to contribute to FIRE’s Newsdesk.

- Learn the foundational arguments for protecting core rights in our free society through reading and discussion in weekly seminars with FIRE’s staff and other experts on civil liberties.

Application Procedures

Applicants should submit a cover letter and résumé, and written responses to questions on the application form. Written responses are evaluated not only on answers given, but also on clarity, style, and quality. We encourage applicants to thoughtfully prepare their responses to the questions.

The Summer 2026 internship application will close on Sunday, February 15th, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET). Applicants are considered and accepted on a rolling basis. Each year, FIRE receives hundreds of applications for a limited number of internship positions. Given the highly competitive nature of the program, we strongly recommend that applicants submit their materials as early as possible.

FAQs

1) What does an average day in the life of a FIRE intern look like?

Interns typically start the day by catching up on and discussing recent news. Throughout the day, interns collaborate with various FIRE staffers in helping to support FIRE’s multifaceted response to breaking news and our ongoing defense of free speech. Interns work both individually and in teams, and are involved in a variety of functions. This includes everything from development and conference planning to education and outreach. Interns also take part in a number of educational sessions with FIRE’s staff and visiting free speech experts.

2) Is the FIRE internship open to high school students, graduate students, law students, or international students?

No. At this time, the internship is only open to undergraduate students (rising sophomores, juniors and seniors) studying at institutions in the United States. For more information about other opportunities at FIRE, please visit our jobs page.

3) Will FIRE provide housing?

No, housing and transportation are the responsibility of individual interns. The FIRE office is centrally located in Philadelphia and offers an array of nearby affordable housing and transportation options. Interns have often used sublet Facebook groups to find housing for the summer.

4) Can I complete the internship remotely or as a hybrid?

There is not an option to complete the program remotely or as a hybrid program.

5) What are the required hours?

The FIRE internship requires a full-time commitment of 40 hours per week. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Interns must work the entire 10-week term.

6.) Are the start and end dates flexible?

Interns must work the entire 10-week term, and we cannot accommodate adjustments to the start and end dates. This is because the cohort dynamic is critical to the success of the program — we want all interns to start and finish together as a group. We also do not allow time off or vacations during the summer session, as the program has a robust calendar of speakers, events, and professional development opportunities. Every week is packed with valuable experiences, and we want all interns to get the full benefit of the program.

7.) Is previous camp counselor experience a requirement to be selected for the internship?

No! Previous experience is not required to be selected for the summer internship. However, past experience as a camp counselor or equivalent position is seen as a positive. We encourage all interested in the summer internship to apply regardless of your previous camp counselor experience.

8.) What are the benefits of applying early?

We typically hire only 8–12 undergraduate interns but receive nearly 500 applications each year. Submitting your application early ensures that your materials are reviewed before the majority of spots are filled. In fact, by the end of January, roughly 70% of our intern class is already selected. Don’t wait—apply early to maximize your chances of securing a spot.

FIRE is an equal opportunity employer.

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