Nonproliferation Internships and Scholarships

Internships

• CNS Undergraduate (Monterey)
• CNS (Washington, DC)
• CNS Internships at International Organizations
• Summer International Nuclear Safeguards Policy Internships
• Vienna Center, VCDNP (Austria)

Fellowships

• CNS Undergraduate (Monterey)
• Davis United World College Scholars Program
• Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship
• Vienna Center, VCDNP Postdoctoral/Sabbatical Fellowship

CNS Undergraduate Nonproliferation Fellowships (formerly Internships)

Visit the website

…to read alumni publications, see participant alumni and some of their activities, watch recent year’s digest video, and to apply to the program.

SUMMER 2024 APPLICATION IS NOW OPEN!
APPLICATION DEADLINE – FEBRUARY 29, 2024!

APPLY HERE!

*Middlebury College Students, Apply Here!

Eligibility

• Be enrolled full-time at an undergraduate institution
• Is eligible to work in the United States*
• Has a strong interest in nonproliferation issues**

*For more details, please contact the fellowship coordinator.
**Students majoring in any of the natural, physical, or computer sciences, or geology are also encouraged to apply!

NOTE: Given the uncertain situation due to the global pandemic COVID-19, there is a possibility that the program may be conducted remotely. We will make our decision in alignment with MIIS policy which continues to follow the guidance of state and country health authorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Sophomore standing at an undergraduate institution before starting the program
• Knowledgeable of international security topics
• Has command of a foreign language

Paid, Summer-only

Undergraduate Fellows (formerly called Interns) are paid at approximately the same rate as graduate research assistants. Fellowships last between 2-3 months, from early June to late August. Fellows are responsible for finding housing, with the assistance of the Fellowship Coordinator.

Fellows will work with CNS experts on substantive issues in areas such as:

• Eurasia
• East Asia
• Chemical and Biological Weapons
• International Organizations and Nonproliferation
• Export Control and Nonproliferation
• Middle East Nonproliferation

CNS is a pioneer in developing and applying “New Tools” in nonproliferation research and education. Our key techniques include open source information and computer modeling, namely the creative use of satellite imagery, geospatial data, 3-dimensional (3D) modeling, virtual reality environments, and social media platforms. Over the summer, fellows may have the opportunities to contribute to innovative nonproliferation projects for the Nuclear Threat Initiative website alongside a team of CNS experts.

Duties

In addition to assisting CNS experts with ongoing projects, our fellows get to develop their own research projects under the guidance of their respective supervisors and mentors. Because this is an educational program, fellows are also expected to attend seminars and lectures held at CNS throughout the summer and present results of their independent research at the end of the program.

To Apply

To complete the application, you must upload the following to the online form:

• A cover letter with a statement of purpose
• Specify which projects interests you most from the ones listed above
• State availability: starting and ending dates of fellowship
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Official or unofficial transcript
• Short writing sample (2-3 pages)
• At least two references. (At least one reference must be from your college professor)
• Recommendation letter requirement: References will automatically be contacted via email when an application is changed to a “further consideration” status by the hiring manager.

You will not be able to submit your application for review until all required documents are attached to your online application.

Contact Information / Fellowship Coordinator

Masako Toki
Undergraduate Fellowship Coordinator
[email protected]

This year’s Summer Internship Program is funded by the Tom and Sarah Pattison Fund, Carnegie Corporation, CV Starr Foundation, and the Earle Family Fund for International Education.

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CNS Washington DC Internships

Internships are periodically available to current undergraduate and graduate students in CNS’s Washington, DC office. Please bookmark this page for periodic updates and application guidelines.

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CNS Internships at International Organizations

(MIIS Students only)

The CNS internship program supports its mission by offering on-the-job training for the next generation of policy experts in the field of nonproliferation while contributing to the capacity of international nonproliferation organizations in the field.

Internship opportunities are offered to dedicated and experienced nonproliferation students who are interested in gaining practical experience in the field of nonproliferation policy, enhancing their practical experience on current nonproliferation and disarmament issues, applying professional skills and academic knowledge they have gained during their degree program at the Middlebury Institute, and making a substantive contribution to the work of these organizations.

Given extensive staff connections at all international nonproliferation organizations and other relevant intuitions, CNS is able to offer internship opportunities at all these organizations twice a year, thereby making a sustained contribution to the objectives of the relevant units where the interns are placed. Given the reputation of CNS and the quality of MIIS students, interns work alongside experience international nonproliferation experts at these organizations.

Complete the application form

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

Depending on the availability of opportunities at participating organizations, the following internships are typically available during the Spring and Fall semesters. Interested students are advised to attend the CNS internship briefing sessions held at the start of each semester:

Vienna

• Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

Mexico City

• Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL)

The Hague

• Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

Geneva

• United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR)
• United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
• Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (BWC)
• Conference on Disarmament (spring semester only)

New York

• United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)

Activities

CNS Internship opportunities offer the opportunity for MIIS nonproliferation students to:

• Gain practical experience in the field of nonproliferation policy
• Enhance their practical experience on current issues
• Apply professional skills and academic knowledge
• Gain practical experience in observing and evaluating organizations and programs
• Make a substantive contribution to the work of these organizations
• Contribute toward the mission of international organization
• Conduct field research
• Work & live in a multilateral, multicultural environment
• Build professional network

Conditions

Preference will be given to MIIS students who:

• Completed the Intro to WMD Nonproliferation course and are familiar with nonproliferation regimes and concepts
• Excel academically, with high levels of writing and communications skills
• Are willing to complete writing assignments and interviews
• Are available for the entirety of the 4-6 month internship in either Fall or Spring semesters. (NOTE: Summer internships are not supported)
• Enrolled students interning in the spring can apply for the IPSS program to earn academic credit. Students participating through IPSS are not eligible for the monthly stipend or airfare reimbursement. They can continue to receive their usual financial aid.
• Are available for the entirety of the 4-6 month internship
• Interview with the program director

Financial Support

Financial support may be provided on merit. Qualified applicants may apply for monthly stipend of $1000 (for a maximum of 6 months) and reimbursement for airfare of up to $1500 to and from the internship. Financial support for students who enroll in IPSS or the dual-degree program may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To Apply

Complete the application form

Deadline for internships: Open ended depending on the opportunities available at participating organizations. It is the responsibility of students to regularly check the websites of relevant international and regional organizations:

IAEA: https://www.iaea.org/about/employment/internships

CTBTO: https://www.ctbto.org/work-with-us/employment/internships

OPCW: https://www.opcw.org/work-us/internships

UN ODA (New York, Vienna and Geneva): https://careers.un.org/lbw/home.aspx?viewtype=IP&lang=en-US

UNIDIR (see “Graduate Professional Program”): https://unidir.org/work-with-us

OPANAL: https://www.opanal.org/en/internship-programme/

VCDNP:  https://vcdnp.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/VCDNP-Internship-Announcement.pdf and https://vcdnp.org/vcdnp-fall-2023-internship-2/

Submissions