RAND Corporation Summer Associate Program
The RAND Corporation Graduate Student Summer Associate Program is a paid 12-week full-time internship designed for advanced graduate students to engage in policy-relevant research on funded projects. Participants are matched with RAND mentors based on their skills, interests, and expertise, working in interdisciplinary teams on topics such as health, national security, education, and data science. The program operates in a hybrid model, offering in-person opportunities at RAND's U.S. offices in Santa Monica (CA), Washington (DC), Pittsburgh (PA), and Boston (MA), with remote flexibility for U.S. residents (excluding territories).
Summer Associates receive bi-weekly compensation (approximately $15,000 pre-tax for the period), access to research tools, seminars, networking events, and career guidance. They collaborate on ongoing projects, potentially conducting literature reviews, data analysis, or qualitative work, and present their contributions at the end of the summer. The program introduces participants to RAND's nonprofit, nonpartisan research environment, fostering professional development through interactions with experts and cohort activities.
Annually, 40-50 associates are selected from hundreds of applicants through a competitive process involving resumes, cover letters, short answers, and interviews. U.S. citizenship is not required for most positions, emphasizing diversity and inclusion.
Eligibility Requirements
- Current full-time graduate students in at least their second year pursuing doctoral degrees (e.g., PhD, EdD, DrPH, SciD) or professional degrees (e.g., JD, MD, professional engineering).
- Exceptions for certain master's programs in engineering, computer/information science, or operations research.
- Must be enrolled full-time during the spring and fall semesters of the application year and not graduating before September of the program year.
- Required to reside in the U.S. (excluding territories) throughout the summer assignment; international students eligible if residing in the U.S. during that time.
- U.S. citizenship not required except for projects needing security clearance.
- Not eligible: undergraduates, high school students, postdocs, most master's students outside specified fields, or those graduating prior to the program.
For thorough eligibility and selection information, visit the official website or contact the organizers directly.