The NARA Voluntary Internship Program complements formal academic training with work at the National Archives and Records Administration. Placements span archival processing, digitization, public programs, technology, legal work, communications, business functions, and other areas.
Internships take place at NARA facilities across the United States, with at least half of each placement completed on-site. Spring, summer, and fall opportunities are posted by individual offices, which set role-specific duties, qualifications, schedules, and locations.
Benefits & funding
- The internship is unpaid but may count for academic credit, school internship requirements, or volunteer hours.
- Placements last 10–12 weeks, require 10–40 hours per week, and must total at least 100 hours.
- Interns gain practical experience on projects such as archival processing, digitization, collections care, research, education, communications, technology, legal work, and records management.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years old.
- Current high school, undergraduate, and graduate students may apply.
- Former students may apply if they graduated within the past two years.
- Selected candidates must verify citizenship and complete a background check.
- Individual placements may add education, subject-area, skills, schedule, or physical requirements.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Eligible nationalities
USA
Education required
High School · Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master · PhD Enrolled · PhD
Age requirement
≥ 18 yrs
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Application process
- 1Review the seasonal opportunity list and identify placements matching your education, skills, location, and availability.
- 2Complete the internship application form and submit a cover letter, a resume of no more than two pages, and an unofficial transcript showing your GPA.
- 3Prepare any role-specific material that may be requested, such as a recommendation letter, writing sample, or references.
- 4If contacted by an individual office, complete its interview and reference process.
- 5If selected, verify U.S. citizenship and complete the background check before a final offer is issued.
Program timeline
July 10, 2026
Fall 2026 application deadline; that cycle is closed.
November 2, 2026
Spring 2027 applications open.
Spring internships typically start.
Late January or early February 2027
Spring internships typically end.
April 2027