Summer 2026 Editorial Undergraduate Internship

New York, NY

Internship

Student (College)

The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law is a nonpartisan law and policy institute that seeks to improve the systems of democracy and justice in the United States. We work to hold our political institutions and laws accountable to the twin American ideals of democracy and equal justice for all. The Brennan Center’s work ranges from voting rights to campaign finance reform, from ending mass incarceration to preserving Constitutional protections in national security policies. Part think-tank, part advocacy group, part cutting edge communications hub, we start with rigorous research. We craft innovative policies. And we fight for them – in Congress and the states, in the courts, and in the court of public opinion.

Note: This internship is in-person at our New York City office.

Responsibilities:
As an intern with our Editorial team, your responsibilities will include editing and proofreading research and policy reports and material for the website, brainstorming content across platforms, and helping script videos. You will leave the position as a discerning editor with a good grasp of style and a strong understanding of copyediting principles. Additionally, there will be opportunities to attend and observe substantive meetings, events, and conversations on program work.

In addition to administrative and reception duties, specific responsibilities for the Editorial team include:

Proofreading print and web material, along with collateral content such as social media posts, video scripts, and podcast episode descriptions

Copyediting reports and video scripts, social media posts and graphics, and staff bios

Line editing reports and other select publications

Assisting the Editorial team to review proposals and develop supplementary content for reports

Drafting compelling display copy for publications

Qualifications:
The ideal candidates are independent, resourceful, detail-oriented, and highly organized. Interns must also have excellent editing, research, writing, and analytical skills, as well as a passion for democracy and justice. Preference will be given to applicants with college journalism or other editorial experience. Familiarity with Chicago Manual of Style or other editorial style guides is a plus.

We are committed to considering a wide range of candidates, including those with diverse experiences and backgrounds. 

If you're uncertain about meeting 100% of our qualifications, we encourage you to apply anyway. Therefore, please consider submitting your application. In your cover letter, please share your interest in the position and what you hope to contribute to the role

This position is only open to current undergraduate students.

Hours: Monday – Friday (9:00am – 5:00pm EST) 

Pay: $17.95 per hour  

Duration: June – August 2026 (10 weeks)

Application Deadline: January 2, 2026

Note: The Brennan Center will follow the rules of your school regarding internships. Therefore, if a school doesn’t allow you to do a paid internship for some reason (i.e., receiving credit, etc.), then your internship will not be paid. In addition, if you are participating in a formal school internship program that allows you to work more than our stated hours, we will make a determination based on our needs and further assessment of your school’s program.

To Apply:
Please visit >>LINK HERE<< and upload (preferably in pdf) your (1) resume, (2) cover letter, (3) and a list of contact details for three supervisor references. In your cover letter, please specify what interests you about the Editorial team and the Brennan Center for Justice
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We encourage interested students to apply early, as the position will be filled once qualified candidates are found. No phone calls, please.

If you have difficulty with the online system, you may send your application by e-mail to: [email protected] with “Communications Editorial Summer Internship” in the subject line, after registering in the online system. Applying through our website is strongly preferred.

Note: The Brennan Center is committed to public health and to the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues and visitors. As such, we have adopted a policy requiring all employees working in the New York and Washington, DC offices to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or to meet the legal guidelines for an exemption.

The Brennan Center for Justice is committed to a workplace based on equal opportunity and a strong belief in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic identity, sexual orientation, national origin, previous incarceration, disability, military veteran/status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. To this end, we welcome all qualified applicants to apply.

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This is an in person internship.

If you are applying for the fall or spring, you will be completing approximately 10 – 20 hours in office per week. If you are applying for the summer, you will be working a full time schedule, Monday – Thursday from 9am – 5pm and Fridays from 9am – 2pm. Your schedules for Fall/Spring/Summer will be coordinated with your manager.

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