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Girl Are you preparing for a career in the sciences? Eager to spend a semester immersed in the study of American history? Or are you passionate about painting and art conservation?
Browse here for current Smithsonian internship opportunities by museum, research institute, or office.
ANACOSTIA COMMUNITY MUSEUM

Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in documenting and interpreting the effect of historical and contemporary social and cultural issues on communities.. They are available in the Registrar's Office and the following departments: Research, Exhibits Design and Production, Education, Public Programs, and Public Affairs. The Intern Coordinator must be contacted prior to application submission for applications to be considered.

Anacostia Museum internships
ARCHIVES OF AMERICAN ART

Internships are available to undergraduates and graduate students who have a background in art history, American studies, or American history and are looking for the opportunity to conduct research in primary sources, process archival collections, prepare written descriptions of collection contents, and assist with registrarial duties.

Archives of American Art internships
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PROGRAM

The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Program works to better reflect the Asian Pacific American experience in Smithsonian exhibitions, programs, and research. It improves the public’s appreciation of the crucial roles that Asian Pacific Americans have played in American history and, simultaneously, empowers APA communities in their sense of inclusion within our national culture.
Contact: Internship Coordinator, anielk@si.edu for more information about internship opportunities within the Program.

Asian Pacific American Program internships
CENTER FOR FOLKLIFE AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (CFCH)
Internships are offered year-round in the fields of folklore, cultural anthropology, and ethnomusicology. Intern projects often center around research, design, and production related to the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the Folklife Archive, educational outreach projects, and video projects.
CFCH internships
COOPER-HEWITT, NATIONAL DESIGN MUSEUM
A variety of paid and unpaid internship opportunities are designed to encourage promising young students of art history, architectural history, museum studies, museum education, and design to explore careers in the museum profession. Interns are assigned to specific curatorial, education, or administrative departments where they will assist special research or exhibition projects, as well as participate in daily museum activities.
Cooper-Hewitt internships
OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
Internships in the Office of Development are all in the field of fundraising and development for the Smithsonian Institution. We will consider candidates for the following areas: Donor Relations, Membership, Corporate & Foundation Relations, Planned Giving, Prospect/Donor Research, Information Technology & Database Operations, Online Fundraising, Communications and Development Operations. Contact Bettie McElroy:
Development internships
FREER & SACKLER GALLERIES

The Dick Louie Memorial Internship for
Americans of Asian Descent

The Freer and Sackler Galleries, the national museum of Asian art at the Smithsonian Institution, offers a paid internship for high school students of Asian descent. The Richard Louie Memorial Internship was established in 1994 to honor Richard Louie, former associate director of the Freer and Sackler Galleries and is made possible by funds donated through the Richard Louie Memorial Fund. Its goal is to offer young people of Asian descent practical experience in a museum setting.

Freer/Sackler internships
Freer Gallery of Art & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Internships are available to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students for special projects and general work in the following departments: Administration, Collections Management (Registrar), Conservation and Scientific Research, Curatorial, Design and Installation, Development, Education (including public programs), Library and Archives, Publications, Photography, Public Affairs, and Shops. A working knowledge of pertinent Asian languages is suggested for curatorial internships.
Freer/Sackler internships
HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN
Summer internships are offered for college juniors and seniors who have completed at least 12 semester hours in art history. This is a competitive program through which interns are placed in one of several departments in the museum.
Graduate student internships are available for students in accredited art history, museum studies, museum education, or arts management graduate programs. These internships are offered during an academic semester.
Hirshhorn internships
HORTICULTURE SERVICES DIVISION
Horticulture Services Division offers a number of diverse paid and unpaid intern positions year-round that provide practical learning experiences in the many HSD programs including garden maintenance and management, greenhouse production, landscape design, collections management (orchids, garden archives, horticultural artifacts), irrigation, integrated pest management, and educational outreach.  Special projects may be added to an intern’s regular duties; they vary greatly and are determined on an individual basis.  Any current or recent undergraduate or graduate student majoring in horticulture, landscape architecture, collections management, or other related field are encouraged to apply.
Horticulture Services internships
NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM (NASM)
Internships are offered during the summer semester to undergraduate and graduate students studying aircraft restoration and preservation, archives, aviation, earth and planetary studies, education, development, exhibits, history, journalism, library disciplines, museology, photography, public affairs, science, and space science.
NASM internships
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN ART (NMAfA)

Fall, spring, and summer internships are offered to students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs and to individuals interested in exploring museum professions. Internship opportunities are available in the following departments: Conservation, Curatorial, Education, Exhibition and Design, Photographic Archives, Public Affairs, and Registration. Candidates must have a background in art history, anthropology, museum studies, or a related discipline. Specific training in African art or other aspects of African culture is desirable, particularly in the Education and Curatorial Departments.

NMAfA internships
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN (NMAI)
Internships are designed to provide an educational opportunity for students in the area of museum practice and related programming through guided work/research experiences using the resources of the National Museum of the American Indian and other Smithsonian offices. Past projects include developing and evaluating visitor guides, cataloging photos, monitoring collections, installing exhibits, conducting exhibit research, and developing databases and press kits.
NMAI internships
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY (NMAH)
Internships are offered to undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in learning more about the work of the Museum and supporting its mission.  Designed around specific Museum projects, internships are available in the following areas:  archival science; curatorial research and collections documentation; exhibition design and graphic production; public relations; special events; museum management; music; education and public program production.  Full time and part time opportunities are available; minimum of 2 months. 
NMAH internships
Lemelson Internships
The Jerome and Dorothy Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation at the National Museum of American History offers full-time, ten-week, archival internship opportunities for graduate students every summer.
Lemelson internships
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY (NMNH)
Internships are offered in each of the museum's research departments, offices, and specialized units including the Naturalist Center in Loudoun County, Virginia; the Arctic Studies Center in Anchorage, Alaska; and the Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce, Florida.  Project focus and intensity varies greatly and ranges from short-term, part-time appointments to full-time, year-long commitments plus special sessions during winter and spring break. Internships are available for undergraduate or beginning level graduate students, and some advanced placement high school students (must be at least 16 years of age). Areas of study include natural sciences, business ventures, collections management, education and outreach, exhibits and public programs, information technologies, laboratory techniques, media and public affairs, project and program management, science administration, scientific illustration, scientific research, safety and security, and more.
NMNH internships
Research Training Program
This program is a museum-based, in-residence internship exclusively for currently enrolled, English proficient, college-level undergraduate students interested in a career in the biological, geological or anthropological sciences. Students partner with a Smithsonian scientist to investigate a natural history research topic as well as participate in a series of lectures, workshops, demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, and field trips that focused on exploring natural history science and developing the skills necessary to become effective researchers. Students, in collaboration with their Smithsonian research advisor, develop and test a scientific hypothesis and communicate the results through written manuscripts plus oral and poster presentations.  Research is conducted in-residence at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC utilizing the vast research facilities and collection of the Museum including 126 million natural history specimens. Participants are provided stipend ($3,000), plus housing and travel. Summer only.  Application deadline: February 1.
NMNH research internships
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY (NPG)
The availability of internships is dependent on departmental projects and staff needs, as well as the background, skills, and interests of the applicant.
NPG internships
NATIONAL POSTAL MUSEUM (NPM)
Internships are available for undergraduate students and some high school students. Areas of study include American studies, collections management, education, exhibits, philately, postal history, public affairs, and transportation history.
NPM internships
NATIONAL SCIENCE RESOURCES CENTER (NSRC)
The National Science Resources Center (NSRC) provides leadership, services and products for improving the learning and teaching of science through three integrated Centers of Excellence: the Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform (LASER) Center, the Professional Development Center, and the Curriculum Development Center. The Program is for high school, college, and graduate students interested in improving K-12 science education in the United States and around the world.
NSRC internships
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK
National Zoological Park (NZP)
The National Zoo offers exciting and unique internships that help participants reach a range of academic and professional goals.

Internship positions are available from a variety of groups at the Zoo including: exhibits, safety office, veterinary medicine, research, and animal programs.
NZP internships
ZooGoer
Internships are available for undergraduate and recent graduate students who possess a strong background in writing, editing, natural history, and biology or a related field. Interns work in Friends of the National Zoo's Communications Office, which publishes ZooGoer magazine and other zoo-related publications, and handles media relations. Responsibilities include research, writing, editing, fact checking, photo research, and occasional administrative tasks.
ZooGoer internships
Conservation & Research Center (CRC)
Research internship positions are designed for undergraduate or beginning graduate students, but are not limited to individuals in a degree program. Under the guidance of a staff mentor, each intern will work independently to complete a research project and report. The Conservation & Research Center offers internships in each of its major program areas: conservation biology, reproductive sciences, and science training and education.
CRC internships
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OFFICE OF CONTRACTING AND PERSONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT (OCon&PPM)

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The Office of Contracting and Personal Property Management (OCon&PPM) acquires goods and services, negotiates contracts and agreements, manages the charge card program, and provides leadership in personal property management in support of the objectives and goals of the Smithsonian Institution. Interns in OCon&PPM complete tasks that involve researching and synopsizing for assigned preceptors various Public Laws, regulatory agencies’ requirements and internal policy and procedural issuances. The preceptors will use the information to: determine what impact the various issuances have on acquisitions and personal property management operations; draft reports, updating acquisition and personal property management policies and procedures, and establishing or refining templates for contracts and agreements.  Interns shall also be requested to further research regulatory, administrative and office workload issues, and be assigned other office administration, procurement or personal property management related tasks by their preceptors. Interns’ assignments may relate specifically to activities of the immediate office of the Director or one or more of five Divisions. 

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OFFICE OF EQUAL EMPLOYMENT AND MINORITY AFFAIRS (OEEMA)
For more information contact the office at 202-275-0151.
OEEMA internships
OFFICE OF EXHIBITS CENTRAL (OEC)
All interns work under the guidance of OEC staff on current exhibit projects. Interns will be given the opportunity to strengthen their existing skills, develop new areas of exhibit-making, and exercise responsibility, creativity, and imagination within a supportive environment. Internships are available in the following areas: design, graphics production, model-making, fabrication, and exhibits administration.
OEC internships
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a OFFICE OF FACILITIES MANAGEMENT AND RELIABILITY (OFMR) a
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The Office of Facilities Management and Reliability (OFMR) operates and maintains the facilities of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., which attract over twenty million visitors each year. OFMR also provides energy management, systems engineering, support services and facilities technology for Smithsonian facilities.  The Office of Facilities Management and Reliability (OFMR) accepts current and recently graduated undergraduate and graduate students studying facility management, engineering, business, or other related fields. Selection is based on both an evaluation of the applicant’s application and available positions.
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OFFICE OF FELLOWSHIPS (OF)
Native American Internships
Internships are offered to Native American students who are formally or informally related to a Native American community. Interns pursue projects related to Native American topics and use Native American resources at the Smithsonian. Appointments are spent in residence at the Institution's facilities under the supervision of Smithsonian staff members. Appointments of 10 weeks are available to undergraduate or graduate students, and provide stipends and a travel allowance. Contact the Office of Fellowships for further information.
Minority Internships
The Office of Fellowships offers a number of opportunities to increase participation of minority groups who are underrepresented in research and museum fields of study. Stipend awards are available for interns to participate in supervised ongoing research or museum-related activities for periods of ten weeks. Minority undergraduate and beginning graduate students are encouraged to apply. Students should contact the Office of Fellowships for application information.
James E. Webb Internship for Minority Undergraduate Junior, Senior and Graduate Students in Business and Public Administration
This program was established in honor of the late James. E. Webb, regent emeritus and former administrator of the National Air and Space Administration (NASA), to promote excellence in the management of not-for-profit organizations. Internships are offered to U.S. minority undergraduate junior, senior, and graduate students majoring in areas of business or public administration. These opportunities are intended to increase participation of minority groups who are underrepresented in the management of not-for-profit scientific and cultural organizations. Interns are placed in offices, museums, and research institutes throughout the Smithsonian Institution.
Office of Fellowships Internships
OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL (OGC)
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) protects the legal interest of the Smithsonian Institution, a trust instrumentality of the United States. In carrying out that mission, the OGC advises the Smithsonian Board of Regents, Secretary, Under Secretaries, museum directors, and other managers on the administration of the Institution; represents the Smithsonian in litigation and other adversarial proceedings; issues final determinations on administrative tort and personal property claims; drafts exhibition, sponsorship, and licensing agreements; and generally monitors developments in the law for application to Smithsonian programs. The OGC is made up of attorneys, whose work covers such diverse topics as tax, employment discrimination, import/export, federal appropriations, intellectual property, and environmental law.

Legal interns in the OGC assist the attorneys in all subject matter areas. They perform traditional case law research, prepare legal memoranda for use in briefs and motions, review agreements, survey state law, and research legislative history. When possible, interns are invited to attend hearings, depositions, and meetings. OGC accepts applications from second and third year law students (or rising 2Ls and 3Ls) for school-term and summer internships. School term interns work an average of 15 hours a week.  Summer interns work a minimum of 10 weeks.   Interested applicants should send a resume, transcript, and legal writing sample to Farleigh Earhart by email at earhartf@si.edu or mail to Smithsonian Institution Office of General Counsel, P.O. Box 23286, Washington, DC 20026-3286.  (Transcripts need not be official, unofficial transcripts may be submitted electronically.) Applications for fall internships and spring internships should be sent no later than August 1 and November 1, respectively.  Applications for summer internships should be sent by February 15.

OGC internships
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES (OHR)
Unpaid opportunities are available requiring a minimum of 20 hours per week for the semester/quarter session (minimum of 2 months). Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, a special project in your field of study or interest, assistance with all the daily operational requirements of the organization, and marketing the products and services of the Office of Human Resources (OHR) to its customers. Interns are expected to act and perform as professional Human Resource Specialists.

For information, please contact an HR specialist at (202) 633-6371.
OHR internships
SMITHSONIAN PHOTOGRPAHIC SERVICES (SPS)

DIGITAL IMAGING INTERN duties include scanning photographic film & prints and cataloging them into the master DB. Additional duties include producing various size prints. PHOTO LIBRARY ARCHIVE INTERN duties include cataloging and preparing film and print images for scanning, converting, and linking to image databases. This involves work with historic photographs. MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPHER INTERN duties include assisting & shooting studio, event, and other photo assignments. This includes the preparation, execution, and post production of all shoots. Photographer Intern applicants are encouraged to have their own basic camera equipment, (camera, lenses, and flash).

Use the SOLAA ONLINE System to Apply:
https://solaa.si.edu

   1. Register for SOLAA
   2. Select internship
   3. Select the relevant “Smithsonian Institution Photographic Services Intern Program”

SPS internships
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (OCIO)
Internships provide practical experience and lead to the eventual achievement of interns personal goals. Specific interest areas for interns are computer support, electronic mail, programming disciplines, network design, and operations. Applicants should have a definite interest in and some knowledge of computers. Internships are available in the following divisions: Information Technology Services, Infrastructure Technologies, and System Engineering.
OIT internships
OFFICE OF POLICY AND ANALYSIS (OP&A)
Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students. They give interns experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative policy-related studies of major Smithsonian programmatic and administrative activities. In addition, the office conducts studies of Smithsonian visitors and program participants. Interns either work as collaborators with OP&A staff in data collection, analysis, and presentation of results, or they may undertake independent projects. A social science related background (management, business, sociology, psychology, cultural studies, education, etc.) and some coursework in qualitative or quantitative research methods are helpful. Academic credit can be arranged. Contact: Zahava D. Doering, E-mail: doeringz@si.edu
OP&A internships