Technology and Innovation Policy Internship – Spring 2026 - PAID

Company Overview

The American Action Forum is a forward-looking, non-profit policy institute dedicated to keeping America strong, free, and prosperous. It seeks to promote common-sense, innovative, and solutions-based policies that will reform government, challenge outdated assumptions, and create a smaller, smarter government that will serve its citizens better. As a unique, fast-paced “action” tank, we use the modern tools of communications to deploy ideas; engage Americans in the debate over the boundaries of government policy, personal freedoms, and market incentives; and educate and challenge the media to explore these issues and shape the next generation of political leaders.

Internship Summary

As an intern in technology and innovation policy, you will report directly to Jeffrey Westling, the Director of Technology and Innovation Policy at the American Action Forum. Jeff’s research focuses on telecommunications, online content policy, and antitrust. His work has appeared in a wide range of outlets including Morning Consult, The Hill, The Washington Examiner, Lawfare, and Slate. He has also submitted written testimony to Congress and state legislatures and regularly participates in a range of panels and conferences on issues such as broadband deployment, spectrum management, and deep fake media.

Prior to joining AAF, Jeffrey was a fellow at the R Street Institute and a law clerk at the Federal Communications Commission. He has a JD from the University of Colorado Law School and a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona.

Previous interns in the Technology and Innovation Policy internship have completed the following projects:

• Researched and authored policy primers on current privacy laws
• Wrote blogs about telecommunication policy and regulatory reform efforts
• Tracked and reported on current court cases and tech legislation
• Provided research support for regulatory comments

Responsibilities
As part of the internship, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following:

• Research assistance: Interns will provide research assistance and data collection for their issue area director
• Event attendance: Interns will attend Capitol Hill hearings, private speaker events, and events held by other DC think tanks to analyze and report on the information presented
• Forum event support: Interns will help promote, run, and evaluate all Forum event
• Portfolio and final presentation: Interns will create a portfolio of their work completed at the Forum and give a brief presentation on a topic of their choice

Hours and Compensation

• Interns must be available to work 20 to 29 hours per week in our DC office
• Interns will earn an hourly wage
• Interns will use their own computer/equipment
• This is a part-time, paid internship

Qualifications

• Excellent writing ability and communication skills
• An interest in the politics and policies of center-right conservatives
• Demonstrated interest in technology issues
• Self-starting attitude
• Strong quantitative skills are highly desired
• Experience conducting legal research with databases such as WestLaw or Lexis

How to Apply
Please include in your application a resume, cover letter, and writing sample of less than 1,000 words.
Documents must be submitted as a PDF file with the following file name:

• Resume: LastName_Resume_Tech
• Cover Letter: LastName_CL_Tech
• Writing Sample: LastName_WS_Tech
  
  (Example: Jane Doe’s Resume – Doe_Resume_Tech)

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