US-Based
Health NGOs & Think Tanks

American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association engages in research, advocacy, and education surrounding diabetes. Positions are posted directly on their website. 

Community Health Impact Coalition 

The CHIC focuses on professional community health workers advocacy by coordinating research about community health work, finding and increasing funding, and working toward better conditions, guidelines, and awareness for this field of work. They post jobs directly on their site, and link to partner organizations as well. 

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect was established in February 2008 as a catalyst to promote and apply the norm of the “Responsibility to Protect” populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity. Through its advocacy, programs and publications, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect acts as a resource for governments, international institutions and civil society on prevention and early  action to halt and respond to mass atrocity crimes.

More information about their internships is here; interns are accepted on a rolling basis and the internship is unpaid. 

Partners in Health 

Partners in Health was founded and inspired by Paul Farmer. The nonprofit lists their positions directly on their website, and has placements around the world. If none of the positions listed fit your interests or experience, you can also apply with a general application. PIH also offers the option to volunteer as an unpaid organizer or advocate, where volunteers can help educate local communities and work toward health care as a human right. There are Dartmouth alumni who work with PIH.

American Enterprise Institute

The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The institute's work is rooted in a belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture. The institute includes health policy scholars who offer pro-market solutions to US health care crises, and some internships will be in this field.

AEI offers internships in the fall, spring, and summer for undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates. 

The Carter Center

The Carter Center is guided by the principles of founders Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. Founded, in partnership with Emory University, on a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering, the Center seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

The Carter Center Fall and Spring internships are 15 weeks long with a stipend of $4,500 and the Summer internship is 10 weeks $3,000. Interns work 20 hours per week. Internships are not restricted to U.S. citizens however international interns must have U.S. work authorization. Health-specific internships are available.

Timeline information: Applications for Spring 2024 are due October 16, 2023. Applications for Summer 2024 are due March 1, 2024.  Applications for Fall 2024 are due June 17, 2024. 

Center for Strategic and International Studies  - Global Health Policy Center

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges. They have a wide range of research areas covering most regions of the world; they shape policy debate about global health and its focus on its importance to U.S. national security. The offer a variety of internships for college juniors or above, and non-internship positions as well. 

Clinton Foundation:

Health Equity Program

Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Council on Foreign Relations 

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries. Founded in 1921, CFR takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

CFR offers remote/hybrid internships for the Fall, Spring and Summer.  

Application timeline: Fall internships are posted in June, Spring internships in October, and summer internships in February.  

Brookings Institute

Brookings is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C. that aims to conduct nonpartisan research to improve policy and governance. Health policy is one of many topics covered; Brookings researchers analyze the challenges of the U.S. health care system, and offer evidence-based solutions to enhance access, affordability, and quality. The institute offers internships; application for Fall open in May, applications for Spring open in September and applications for summer open in January. 

International Peace Institute

The International Peace Institute (IPI) is an independent, international not-for-profit think tank dedicated to managing risk and building resilience to promote peace, security, and sustainable development. To achieve its purpose, IPI employs a mix of policy research, strategic analysis, publishing, and convening. With staff from around the world and a broad range of academic fields, IPI has offices facing United Nations headquarters in New York and an office in Manama.

The International Peace Institute offers internships in a variety of positions. These internships are paid and typically last three months. Check their website for the most up to date information on what positions are available. 

RAND

RAND is a nonprofit think tank, and research institute aimed at improving policy and decision making through objective research and analysis. RAND's research spans a wide variety of fields and industries, including healthcare and aging, social equity, energy and environment, and much more. Though based in the US, RAND staff come from over 50 countries, and the research they conduct has a global foundation. RAND also uniquely offers graduate programs through the Pardee RAND Graduate School, providing students with a focus on policy analysis and the ways it can shape our world. Employment opportunities are listed on the website and can be applied for online.

Dartmouth alumna Allyson Gittens works at RAND and has expertise in health and educational equity, community health, the healthcare workforce and educator well-being. Contact her at Allyson_Gittens@rand.org for more information. 

Stimson Center 

The Stimson Center promotes international security and shared prosperity through applied research and independent analysis, global engagement, and policy innovation. Stimson organizes its work in cross-program research areas: Trade & Technology, Security & Strategy, Climate & Natural Resources, Human Security & Governance, and Pivotal Places.

The Director of the Dickey Center, Tori Holt, is a Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center. 

United States Institute of Peace 

The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world.

USIP also hosts a wide variety of free online courses on there website. Click here to view more. 

USIP has programs focused specifically at both current college students referred to as the Research Assistant Program. Find more information here. They also higher recent graduates for entry level positions when opportunities are available. 

Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health

The Summer Internship in Biological Sciences in Public Health is an intensive 8 week laboratory-based biological research program is for undergraduates during the summer following their sophomore or junior years. Up to 6 internships are awarded by a competitive process. The internship culminates with a Poster Session during the final week where the interns present data in regards to the project they have been working on during the summer. The application deadline generally falls in mid-February for the following summer. 

CATO Institute

The CATO institute is a libertarian public policy think tank that promotes libertarian ideas in policy debates. Their mission is to originate, disseminate, and advance solutions based on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Though public health is not their main focus, they do engage in health policy research, and offer a Health Policy Studies internship. 

The CATO institute offers paid internships in the fall, spring, and summer. Applicants living abroad and international applicants are encouraged to apply but will need to be authorized to work in the United States and must be able to work in person in Washington, DC to participate. The Cato Institute will sponsor a limited number of J‑1 visas.

Application timeline: Applications for the spring open in September and are due in November. Applications for the Summer open in January and are due in March. Dartmouth students and have worked with Cato.