HNIP has placed college students in paid federal agency internships since 1992 and counts 14,000 alumni. It is the interns’ employer of record, working as a federal contractor.
Interns serve one session — spring, summer or fall — in remote, hybrid or in-person roles, with Washington, DC the relocation hub. Students of all majors can apply.
Benefits & funding
- 2026 hourly pay: US$18.50 undergraduate, US$20.25 graduate, set by your degree level during the internship.
- Full-time 40 hours a week, or part-time from 20 where the agency allows.
- Relocating to DC: HNIP arranges shared furnished housing with no upfront costs; rent comes out of each paycheck. First trip to housing is covered.
- Seminars and possible academic credit; some interns are extended.
Eligibility
- Enrolled in a degree program (associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, J.D. or Ph.D.), with the first undergraduate year completed; certificate or credential students are not eligible.
- Must be a US citizen, permanent resident or otherwise legally authorized to work in the US; HNIP uses E-Verify.
- Most positions need US citizenship for a security clearance.
- A few positions take recent graduates: spring graduates up to that year’s summer session.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Residence required
USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Master Enrolled · PhD Enrolled
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Application process
- 1Create an applicant profile on HNIP’s portal, choose your session(s), and submit your essay, resume and transcripts; there is no application fee.
- 2Apply by the Spring 2027 priority deadline, November 20, 2026; applications are still reviewed after it until all positions are filled.
- 3Once staff mark your application eligible, HNIP forwards it to agencies with matching openings.
Program timeline
Spring 2027 applications open
Jul 6, 2026
Priority deadline
Nov 20, 2026
Internship starts
Jan 4, 2027
Internship ends (15 weeks)
Apr 16, 2027