Who can apply?
- Undergraduates, recent graduates, graduate and law students, and early-career applicants may apply. Current postings prefer college juniors or above by credits but explicitly welcome students with fewer credits.
- Applicants must be high school graduates. International students may be considered when they already have authorization to work in the United States.
- Spring participants may work full time or at least 20 hours weekly; Summer 2027 interns must work 40 hours per week in person at Heritage's Washington headquarters.
Junior status is preferred, not required. The official posting welcomes students with fewer credits, so this guide keeps all four undergraduate years visible while labeling the preference.
Dates, pay & program timing
Spring 2027 runs January 11–April 9 with rolling hiring underway. Summer 2027 runs May 10–August 6 and lists January 31, 2027 as the application deadline; hiring is rolling.
These details reflect the sources at the review date. An overview is not a live job offer. Check the official page for today's application status and the selected opening's written terms.
How to apply to The Heritage Foundation
- Choose Spring or Summer 2027 on the Young Leaders page and review the current term's hours, dates and in-person commitment before applying.
- Prepare the online application, unofficial transcript and two professional references; choose department interests that connect to evidence you can discuss.
- Submit early because Heritage says hiring is rolling, then retain the confirmation and plan realistically for Washington housing and commuting if selected.
You leave FirstInternships to apply. We do not accept applications, offer referrals, or represent the employer.
Our editorial advice · not employer requirements
How to prepare a stronger application
Read Heritage's stated principles and current work in the department you select. Explain the fit through one policy or functional interest and the work you are prepared to contribute.
Ask professional references before listing them and provide the term, program link and a reminder of work they observed. A recognizable title matters less than direct evidence.
Your preparation, on this device
Make it a plan.
Checking an item saves this program. These are planning prompts, not a substitute for the employer's full requirements.
Add a stage & next actionThe Heritage Foundation: questions before applying
Can freshmen apply to Heritage?
Yes. The posting prefers juniors or above but says students with fewer credit hours are welcome to apply.
How much are Heritage interns paid?
The 2027 program publishes $18.50 per hour.
Does Heritage provide housing?
It does not pay for housing, but accepted interns receive priority information for a nearby intern residence at an affordable rate.
Official sources & update notes
We reviewed these publisher pages on . They establish the program facts above; our preparation suggestions are independent editorial guidance.
- Heritage Young Leaders Program: 2027 dates, pay, location, housing and eligibility
- Summer 2027 Heritage posting: hours, student preference and required materials
We do not infer deadlines, remote eligibility, or guaranteed offers from older recruiting cycles. Read our editorial process.