Migration Policy Institute (MPI) Young Scholars Program 2027 | Internships with $1,472 Biweekly Stipend

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is offering internships through the Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program, providing students, graduates and early-career professionals with an opportunity to gain practical experience in migration research, public policy and communications.

The MPI Young Scholars Program 2027 offers both remote and in-person internships, and applicants can apply from outside the United States. Full-time interns receive a $1,472 biweekly stipend, while part-time interns receive a prorated stipend.

The next application deadline is October 15, 2026, for the Spring 2027 internship cycle.

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About the Migration Policy Institute

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) is an independent organization focused on migration policy and related issues. Through its research and programs, MPI examines immigration, integration, refugees, forced displacement, migration systems and other public policy topics.

The Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program was established to support MPI’s work while helping train the next generation of migration and communications professionals.

MPI internships are designed to provide practical exposure to research, policy analysis, communications, events and other professional activities.

MPI Internship 2027 Overview

The MPI Internship Program 2027 lasts approximately four months and is organized into three internship cycles:

• Spring: January–April
• Summer: May–August
• Fall: September–December

There is some flexibility around internship start and end dates.

MPI internships are available on both a full-time and part-time basis. Full-time internships are particularly sought for the U.S. Immigrant Integration and Communications areas.

The internships may be completed remotely or in person, giving applicants outside the United States an opportunity to apply.

MPI Internship Application Deadlines

The general MPI internship deadlines are:

• October 15: Spring semester
• February 15: Summer semester
• June 15: Fall semester

For the Spring 2027 MPI Internship, applications must be submitted by October 15, 2026.

Research Internships at MPI

Research interns work within one of several MPI program areas. These internships are particularly relevant to students and early-career professionals interested in migration research, immigration policy, refugee issues and international migration.

U.S. Immigration

Interns may contribute to research involving:

• Asylum and refugee pathways
• Border management
• Immigration enforcement
• Legal immigration
• Unauthorized immigration
• Employment outcomes of highly educated immigrants
• Immigration and demographic trends
• Economic trends
• Policy reform proposals

International Migration

This area examines migration and integration policies internationally, including:

• Refugee resettlement
• Asylum
• Immigrant integration
• Labor market integration
• Social cohesion
• Labor migration
• Borders and mobility
• Migration and development
• Returns and reintegration

U.S. Immigrant Integration

Interns may work on issues involving:

• Early childhood education and care
• Dual Language Learners
• English Learners
• K-12 immigrant education
• Adult education
• Workforce development
• Training
• State and local immigration policy
• Integration services
• Language access policy

Latin America and Caribbean Initiative

This program focuses on migration issues affecting Latin America and the Caribbean, including mixed migration flows, migration management systems, development policies and integration challenges.

Written proficiency and oral fluency in Spanish are required for this research area.

Refugee and Forced Displacement Initiative

Research in this area covers policy and programmatic approaches involving:

• Refugee agency
• Lived experience
• Refugee livelihoods
• Self-reliance
• Host-country integration
• Faith and global responses to displacement

What Do MPI Research Interns Do?

MPI research internships provide practical experience in research and policy analysis.

Research intern responsibilities can include:

• Contributing to MPI research projects
• Conducting independent quantitative or qualitative research
• Performing policy analysis
• Writing paper drafts
• Preparing literature summaries
• Supporting events
• Summarizing hearings and other relevant events
• Completing light administrative tasks

This makes the MPI Research Internship particularly relevant to applicants interested in migration policy, international development, public policy, research and related fields.

MPI Communications Internship

MPI also offers a Communications Internship for applicants interested in communications, media, digital content and public policy.

Communications interns can gain experience across different MPI research areas while supporting the dissemination of MPI’s work.

Responsibilities may include:

• Media tracking
• Developing social media campaigns
• Creating visual assets
• Supporting event organization and execution
• Promoting the Migration Information Source
• Short-form writing
• Possible multimedia editing

Applicants interested in communications internships, media internships, public policy communications and migration communications may find this area particularly relevant.

MPI Internship Salary and Benefits

The MPI internship stipend is one of the key features of the program.

Stipend

• Full-time internship: $1,472 biweekly
• Part-time internship: Prorated stipend

The program also allows students to arrange academic credit for their internship where applicable.

Other Internship Benefits

Depending on the internship arrangement, participants can benefit from:

• Practical migration policy experience
• Research experience
• Communications experience
• Remote internship opportunities
• In-person internship opportunities
• Exposure to MPI research programs
• Professional development
• Experience working on migration and public policy issues
• Potential academic credit
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research
• Event and communications experience

MPI does not cover relocation expenses.

Who Can Apply for MPI Internships?

The MPI Young Scholars Program is open to a broad range of applicants.

Applicants must generally:

• Be at least a junior in college
• Have excellent oral communication skills
• Have excellent written communication skills
• Demonstrate an interest in migration and/or public policy

The program welcomes:

• Current college students
• College graduates
• Graduate students
• Early-career professionals

Applicants without traditional college experience may also be considered if they can demonstrate substantial relevant work experience.

Additional Skills That Can Help

MPI notes that the following skills can be helpful:

• Foreign language skills
• Office software proficiency
• Other relevant software skills
• Strong quantitative skills
• Research and analytical abilities
• Strong writing skills

Applicants from immigrant or refugee backgrounds and minority applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Can International Students Apply for the MPI Internship?

Yes. U.S. citizenship is not required to apply for MPI internships.

Applicants who reside and work in the United States must already have U.S. work authorization before the internship begins.

MPI does not provide supporting documents for applicants seeking to obtain a visa.

Applicants who reside and work outside the United States do not need a U.S. work permit for an internship conducted outside the United States.

This makes the MPI internship program relevant to eligible international applicants seeking migration internships, research internships and remote internships.

How Competitive Is the MPI Internship?

The MPI Young Scholars Program can attract applicants with backgrounds in migration studies, international relations, public policy, political science, economics, communications, development studies, research and related areas.

Applicants should therefore prepare an application that clearly demonstrates their relevant academic, research or professional experience.

A strong application should explain:

• Why migration or public policy interests you
• Which MPI program area interests you
• What relevant research experience you have
• What academic experience you have
• What professional experience you have
• How your writing sample demonstrates analytical ability

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Documents Required for the MPI Internship Application

Applicants must prepare several documents for the MPI Spring 2027 Internship.

1. CV or Resume

Your CV should clearly present your education, research experience, professional experience, relevant skills and other achievements.

2. Cover Letter

The cover letter must be a maximum of two single-spaced pages.

It should describe:

• Your personal or professional interest in migration and/or public policy
• The MPI program area or areas you want to be considered for
• Relevant research experience
• Relevant academic experience
• Relevant professional experience

3. Writing Sample

Applicants must submit a writing sample of no more than five single-spaced pages in English.

The writing sample should demonstrate the ability to write clearly and analytically about subjects such as:

• Migration
• Immigrant integration
• Refugee issues
• Public policy

Acceptable examples include course papers, policy memos, research reports and published articles.

4. Academic Transcript

Applicants must provide an official or unofficial transcript from all colleges and universities attended, showing courses and grades.

Important MPI No-AI Application Policy

Applicants should pay close attention to MPI’s application requirements.

MPI states that application materials must reflect the applicant’s authentic abilities and voice. The organization says that using AI tools such as ChatGPT or Claude to write or substantially revise application materials will result in disqualification.

Applicants should therefore prepare their CV, cover letter and writing sample in accordance with MPI’s stated requirements and ensure that the submitted materials genuinely represent their own work and abilities.

How to Apply for the MPI Young Scholars Program 2027

Applicants interested in the MPI Internship 2027 must complete the online application form and separately submit the required application materials by email.

For the Spring 2027 internship, the deadline is:

October 15, 2026

Applicants should use the required subject-line format:

First Name Last Name_Spring 2027

Application materials include:

• CV/Resume
• Cover letter
• Writing sample
• Transcript

Applications should be submitted according to the instructions provided by the Migration Policy Institute.

MPI Internship Career Opportunities

An internship with MPI can provide experience relevant to careers in:

• Migration policy
• Immigration research
• Public policy
• International development
• Refugee and forced displacement research
• Communications
• Research and analysis
• Government policy
• Nonprofit organizations
• International organizations
• Think tanks
• Advocacy and policy organizations

The experience gained through research, writing, policy analysis, communications and events can be relevant to future graduate studies and early-career opportunities.

MPI Internship 2027 Key Details

Opportunity	Details
Organization	Migration Policy Institute (MPI)
Program	Demetrios G. Papademetriou Young Scholars Program
Opportunity Type	Internship
Cycle	Spring 2027
Duration	Approximately 4 months
Location	Remote or in person
International Applicants	Eligible to apply
Full-Time Stipend	$1,472 biweekly
Part-Time Stipend	Prorated
Academic Credit	May be arranged
Deadline	October 15, 2026
Research Areas	Immigration, international migration, integration, Latin America & Caribbean, refugees and forced displacement
Communications Area	Media, social media, events, writing and multimedia

Final Thoughts

The Migration Policy Institute Young Scholars Program 2027 offers an opportunity for students, graduates and early-career professionals to gain practical experience in migration research, public policy and communications.

With remote and in-person internship options, a $1,472 biweekly full-time stipend, opportunities for academic credit and several research areas, the MPI internship can be relevant to applicants building careers around migration and public policy.

Applicants interested in the MPI Internship 2027 should carefully review the eligibility requirements, prepare the required CV, cover letter, writing sample and transcript, and submit their application before the October 15, 2026 deadline.