The John Locke Foundation hosts paid interns throughout the year. This program is particularly suitable for students and graduates interested in political science and government, economics and business, history, journalism, leadership, and nonprofit organizations and management.
We are a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) think tank that pursues research, analysis, and commentary on issues in state policy regarding health, education, good government, and other topics relevant to citizens and lawmakers in North Carolina. We also publish the Carolina Journal, a monthly newspaper with statewide distribution, and maintain websites across many issues and subject areas.
Interns are exposed to a wide variety of experiences and opportunities. They will assist researchers in projects ranging from writing amicus briefs, contributing articles to The North Carolina History Project, and assembling vital datasets. Additionally, they help with events, development, and administrative work. Interns also have the opportunity to work with the Carolina Journal‘s opinion editor to publish op-eds and have their work featured on our website.
Our program is flexible for students’ schedules, with full-time and part-time positions. This internship is paid hourly, but for-credit internships can be arranged as well. The program is designed to be entirely in-person.
The Ideal Candidate
Candidates for this program must have at least a high school diploma. College and graduate students are encouraged to apply, as are recent high school and college graduates. Professionalism and a strong work ethic are expected of all applicants.
Candidates must be strongly committed to individual liberty, limited government, private property, and free markets. Our program is suited for those who enjoy research, writing, communications, and marketing, or event planning.
Summer 2025 Dates
Applications: January 7, 2025 – March 3, 2025
Decisions: March 24, 2025
Internship program: May 19, 2025 – August 1, 2025

” My semester at the John Locke Foundation provided many opportunities for me to grow both professionally through research and writing and personally through networking. The entire staff at Locke was welcoming and made an effort to invest in me as a student to better myself for life after graduation. This place is truly one of a kind, and I cannot recommend working for this organization enough!”
–Erin Kelly, Spring 2025 Intern
