RSF USA Spring 2026 Internship
RSF USA Spring 2026 Internship
Reporters Without Borders/Reporters sans frontières (RSF), the world’s largest organization devoted to the safety, pluralism, and independence of journalism, is seeking an intern for its Washington, DC office (RSF USA) this spring.
About RSF USA
RSF USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with RSF that helps protect press freedom and the right to reliable information in North America, which includes the United States, Canada, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. We also use our position in Washington, DC to work in concert with RSF’s 13 offices around the world to advance our global priorities.
Role Description
The internship is ideal for current undergraduate students or recent college graduates who are in the Washington, DC area during the spring 2026 term and are interested in working in an international nonprofit dedicated to press freedom and the right to reliable information. RSF USA interns contribute to all facets of our work, including advocacy, communications, and fundraising. There may also be flexibility to tailor the interns’ activities to match their background or the practical experience they hope to gain. Specific responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
Advocacy:
- Join advocacy meetings with Congressional representatives, federal government officials, and NGO partner organizations
- Research legislation, court cases, and global press freedom movements
- Identify potential partners and champions of RSF USA’s work within the government and learn best practices for building successful coalitions
- Contribute to advocacy materials like congressional letters and comments to federal agencies
- Monitor congressional hearings and help follow up with congressional offices
Communications:
- Monitor current events related to press freedom on a daily basis
- Help maintain a list of press contacts
- Support the drafting of press releases, social media posts, op-eds, and other written collateral
- Attend and/or contribute to the planning and execution of press freedom-related events
Fundraising:
- Research prospective major donors and foundations
- Track and acknowledge incoming donations
- Draft and edit correspondence related to RSF USA activities, including fundraising emails and letters
- Lead all in-house mailings
- Draft and edit grant LOIs, proposals, and reports
- Provide fundraising event support as needed
Logistics
We will consider applications for both full-time (40 hours per week) and part-time (minimum of 20 hours per week) interns for the spring 2026 term, which will start in January and conclude in May. The role operates in a hybrid office environment that requires two in-person work days a week for team collaboration and consistent use of office equipment such as printer, and scanner. Thus, the intern must be residing in the Washington, DC area during the internship. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for internship opportunities at this time. In addition, the intern is paid a monthly stipend of $600 for part time and $1,000 for full time.
Applicant Qualifications:
- Excellent communication (written and verbal)
- Detail-oriented
- Proactive
- Reliable
- Strong time management
- Interested in press freedom, human rights, journalism and/or international nonprofits
- Media literate and an avid news consumer
- Able to work in-person in Washington, DC during the spring 2026 term per our hybrid (in-office/remote) schedule
- Native-level English proficiency
- French language skills not required, but a plus
Application Instructions
RSF USA welcomes current undergraduate students or recent college graduates that meet the qualifications to apply for this opportunity. We do not recommend that current postgraduate students or recent postgraduates apply. Those interested in applying should submit the following items into a single PDF document: 1) resume and 2) cover letter that includes your anticipated weekly availability this spring, along with how you will be able to adhere to our hybrid work schedule during the internship if you do not already live in the Washington, DC area.
The email must be sent to RSF USA’s Development Manager, Elysia Duncan, at eduncan@rsf.org, with Spring 2026 Intern Application and your full name in the subject line separated by a hyphen (e.g., Spring 2026 Intern Application - Jane Smith). All applications must be submitted by October 12, 2025 to be considered for this opportunity.
Reporters Without Borders is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, caste, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, veteran status, disability; or on any other basis prohibited by law.