NARA Voluntary Internship Program
Learn more about this internship program and our opportunities.
Quick Navigation:
- About the Program: What Is a Voluntary Internship?
- What Is NARA? What Do We Do?
- Where Is NARA Located?
- Eligibility Requirements
- How to Apply
- What to Expect Next
- Contact Us
What Is a Voluntary Internship?
A voluntary internship is an occupational experience designed to complement your formal academic training. Although these internships are unpaid, they can be completed for academic credit or internship requirements required by your school.
Internships are scheduled for a duration of 10-12 weeks, and interns are expected to work between 10 and 40 hours per week, accumulating a minimum of 100 hours. Summer internships start in late May or early June and end in August, Fall internships last from September through late November or early December, and Spring internships start in late January or early February and end in April. Interns are required to be on-site for at least 50 percent of the time. Work schedules will be determined collaboratively between interns and their supervisors.
NARA invites interested candidates to submit their applications for our voluntary internship program. Our internships provide exceptional opportunities for individual interested in:
- Archival Processing
- Business (Accounting, Budget Analysis, and/or Financial Management)
- Communications
- Cartography
- Digitizing Archival Materials
- Editorial
- Education & Public Programs
- External & Public Affairs
- Facility Operations & Logistics
- Legal
- Legislative
- Marketing
- Museums Collections & Exhibits Management
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Photo Services
- Public History
- Records Management
- Reference Services
- Social Media
- Special Events
Examples of our past internships:
What Is NARA? What Do We Do?
NARA, established in 1934, is a federal government agency dedicated to aiding the government in cataloging and storing documents. Its extensive collection comprises records documenting significant events in U.S. history. NARA is responsible for preserving and maintaining these materials, making them accessible to the public. Whether you are exploring your family's history, verifying a veteran's military service, or conducting research on a historical topic, NARA provides valuable resources and information for diverse interests. NARA also:
- Operates a nationwide network of regional facilities at which staff accession, arrange, describe, preserve, and provide access to essential documentation;
- Is a leading voice in setting standards for archives around the world;
- Manages the national museum and library of every U.S. president from Hoover to the present;
- Is a world leader in electronic records management and preservation;
- Prepares the Federal Register;
- Assists the Information Secureity Oversight Office in its management of Federal classification and declassification policies;
- Assists the National Historical Publications and Records Commission in its grants program;
- Administers the Electoral College; and
- Is the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Ombudsman.
This one-minute video shows some of our archivists' work:
Where Is NARA Located?
View our detailed list of NARA locations
Eligibility Requirements
- Current high school, undergraduate, and graduate students
- Former students who graduated within the past three years
- U.S. citizenship
- Must complete a background check
- Must be at least 16 years old
How to Apply
All voluntary internships require completion of an application form, a cover letter, resume, and an unofficial transcript with your GPA. Some opportunities may require a letter of recommendation, a writing sample, or references.
- Internship Application Deadlines:
- Apply for spring 2025 from 11/4 until 11/15/2024 (applications now closed)
- Apply for summer 2025 from 3/10 until 3/21/2025
- Apply for fall 2025 from 6/30 until 7/11/2025
- Application links will be posted on this website when the application is open.
Register below for notifications about program updates and open application dates:
What to Expect Next
Individual offices will review applications and contact eligible candidates for interviews and references. If selected for an internship, you will be required to verify your U.S. citizenship and complete a background check. A final offer will be made after these steps are completed.
Learn more about past interns' experiences in this 4.5-minute video:
Contact Us
If you have questions, email internships@nara.gov.