Job Description
The Democratic staff of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission seeks an enthusiastic upper-level undergraduate, graduate or law student interested in human rights and foreign policy to participate in the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Internship Program.
The Spring 2026 internship term runs from January through April 2026. Start and end dates are negotiable. Interns will receive a monthly $1,000 stipend. The Commission is willing to work with academic institutions to ensure that students can receive academic credit for their internship.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing administrative and substantive support for Commission activities, including Congressional briefings and hearings; drafting background materials, letters and press releases; preparing transcripts for public release; maintaining information on prisoners of conscience; updating Commission website and social media accounts.
Requirements and qualifications:
- Upper-level undergraduate, graduate or law students. Preference to those with degrees in relevant fields.
- Demonstrated interest in human rights in U.S. foreign policy and international relations. Prior experience in the human rights field is a plus.
- Demonstrated interest in public policy, the U.S. Congress and government.
- Interns are expected to display professionalism, maturity, and discretion while working with the Commission and interacting with other offices in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.
- Authorized to work in the United States.
To apply, please submit the following in a single PDF to TLHRC@mail.house.gov with “APPLICATION for Eleanor Roosevelt Internship” in the subject line. Please specify that you are applying for the spring term in the body of your message. No phone calls, please.
- Cover letter: Discuss your interest in the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission and how it would serve your academic and professional goals and interests; How your academic, professional or personal experience would be useful to the Commission in carrying out its mandate; and how you heard about this internship program. Should not exceed one page.
- Resume: Relevant work history, coursework, educational achievements, honors/awards received.
- Writing sample: A writing sample (in English) of no more than two pages and no more than 500 words (double-spaced). It must be your own work and can be an excerpt of a longer piece.
- References: Names, titles, phone numbers, and email addresses of 2-3 references. Please do not include recommendation letters.
- Applications will be accepted until November 6, 2025.