Are you a college or graduate student interested in gaining work experience? We offer paid internships in a wide array of disciplines.
You'll learn from knowledgeable mentors in a variety of fields, from curatorial research to administration, all in the dynamic atmosphere of Washington, DC. You'll work with distinguished scholars, accomplished professionals, and iconic artifacts in an immersive experience as multifaceted as the Museum itself.
Our interns are required to be high school graduates and must be enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university.
During the academic year, select internships are offered for interns to support key museum functions. Unlike the summer internships, many of these intern opportunities are part time, to allow for the intern to attend school. Interns will work closely with museum staff & departments on ongoing projects, for which we recruit as they become available. Keep any eye on this site for new opportunities throughout the academic year.
Part Time | Fall Internship | Application Open Until Filled
The School Programs Intern will be in the Youth & Teachers Program Team of the Education Department at the National Air and Space Museum. This internship experience will provide opportunities to learn about K-12 museum education by supporting various initiatives of the Holt Scholars program, which focuses on District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) teacher and student experiences.
Specifically, this intern will support on site field trips via facilitating small student group experiences during Engineering & Design Challenges and collaborating with staff to develop, test, and refine student self-guides.
This intern will also support various initiatives potentially including testing content with the museum’s Teacher Advisory Group, providing input on pre- and post visit materials, supporting teacher professional development initiatives, and helping in the facilitation and evaluation of a Teachers' Night at the museum.
Our structured summer internship program provides firsthand experience working in a museum. It's a great introduction to museum work or an opportunity to expand on previous experience. Our 10-week program provides unique professional development opportunities and enrichment activities.
Summer 2026 internships will be announced in January.
All 2025 summer internships will be 100% on site at either our Museum in Washington, DC or Chantilly, VA.
We are not offering hybrid or remote internships in 2025.
The Summer Internship Program typically runs from early-June to early-August each year. In 2025, internships start June 2nd and run through August 8th.
Interns work full-time, 40 hours per week for 10 weeks.
We are happy to work with you to figure out a start and end date that work with your existing commitments and school schedule. However, a commitment of 10 weeks during the summer is required.
Yes, we provide a stipend to help interns defray expenses. This stipend is administered in intervals throughout the internship period.
To be considered for the Summer Internship Program, you must be a high school graduate and be currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university. You are expected to have a strong academic record. Applicants from outside the US are welcome!
Internships are opportunities to learn and grow your skills. While you don't necessarily need work experience related to the internship you plan to apply for, you are expected to have a base knowledge of or familiarity with the subject (e.g. exhibits design interns will be expected to have familiarity with programs such as Illustrator and Photoshop).
These instructions apply to summer and academic year internships.
Applicants must apply through the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment System (SOLAA). Complete applications must include:
Applications for the National Air and Space Museum’s Summer Internship Program must be submitted on the Smithsonian Online Academic Appointment system (SOLAA). To apply:
On the Materials page of the application, please submit your essay, resume, transcript, and letters of recommendation (if you have a copy of the letter(s)).
If you have a copy of your Letters of Recommendation, you can upload them to your application using the Materials page. If you do not, you can use the References page of the application to send your letter-writer an email they can use to upload the letter of recommendation directly to your application. To do so:
If you are not using the Reference page to collect letters of recommendation, you do not need to add any references on the Reference page.
If you encounter technical difficulties as you complete your application, we recommend trying a new browser. If the problem persists, please email OCIOHelpDesk@si.edu.
The internship program is generously supported by:
Foster and Coco Stanback
DaRin Butz Foundation
Morton and Norma Lee Funger, in memory of William Scott Funger
James M. and Anita K. Guyette
The Brian and Jill Rowe Foundation
Joseph R. and JoAnne L. Zinecker
Mary F. Dominiak
Karen and William Dahut