Policy Research Internship

Cascade Policy Institute is Oregon’s free market think tank. Our mission is to develop and promote public policy solutions that foster individual liberty, personal responsibility, and economic opportunity in Oregon.

Cascade promotes incentives, decentralized decision-making, and market solutions to public policy dilemmas. Through its work, Cascade seeks to foster a society of free and responsible individuals and to reduce government intrusion in the lives of Oregonians. The principles of classical liberalism guide Cascade’s work.

We believe that human flourishing, prosperity, and social harmony require a limited government that respects individual freedoms, upholds property rights, and leaves people free to pursue their dreams.

As a policy research organization, Cascade necessarily examines many issues that one day will be decided at the ballot box or in the state legislature. But we focus on ideas, not politics. Cascade is independent and does not endorse candidates. Instead, we take a long-range approach to our mission, working to stimulate debate on questions of policy and the proper role of government in a free society.

We advance our values by sharing our research with the public, the media, and state and local lawmakers across Oregon through publications, social and traditional media, educational programs, and special events.

Cascade’s internship program is open to undergraduate and graduate students representing all academic disciplines, eager to hone their investigative, analytical, and professional skills. Preference is given to students with a background in economics, business, public policy, political science, or related fields, or fields related to policy areas on which Cascade is currently working.

Successful candidates will work well in a professional office environment, aspire to excellence in their work and demonstrate persistence; value constructive feedback from mentors; and welcome the opportunity to grow in their research, writing, and public speaking skills.

An internship at Cascade Policy Institute provides the opportunity for in-depth experience working across professional disciplines in a small nonprofit with fewer than ten team members. Exposure to multiple operational aspects of a nonprofit organization, with individual mentoring, can be a solid preparation for a variety of roles in similar or larger organizations.

An internship at Cascade Policy Institute may include the following opportunities:

• Research, analyze, and write about key public policy issues in the State of Oregon. Policy areas that interns may work on include educational choice and K-12 education finance, state-level fiscal issues, electric grid reliability, transportation/public transit, land use planning and housing issues, free-market environmentalism, homelessness, and health care. The 2026 internship class will work on a group project promoting electric grid reliability in the Pacific Northwest.
• Publish articles for Cascade’s website, social media platforms, and weekly e-newsletter. Intern research has been published by Cascade Policy Institute with interns identified as the primary authors. 
• Write and record short radio and podcast commentaries. Submit op-eds and letters to the editor to local, state, and national media.
• Receive training in nonprofit development activities, including direct mail campaigns and donor outreach.
• Attend informal lectures, events, and policy presentations (some may be offered online).
• Participate in skills training seminars and receive one-on-one public speaking training.
• Attend public meetings and/or hearings at the State Capitol in Salem (if the legislature is in session) and around the Portland metro area. Typically, interns have opportunities to present testimony in public hearings (in person or online).
• Work with staff mentors to develop research, analytical, and professional skills.
• Enjoy social opportunities with Cascade’s staff, board, and fellow interns.

Interns must provide their own wifi-capable laptops and ethernet cords.

Cascade does not offer housing for interns.

Because this is a structured summer program, interns must be able to commit to the nine work weeks between June 15 and August 14, 2026.

Candidates must provide a cover letter specifically explaining your interest in this position and why the mission of Cascade Policy Institute resonates with you, a résumé/curriculum vitae, college transcripts, and both an essay-length writing sample and a writing sample in the form of a letter to the editor responding to a recent article in a major U.S. newspaper. Writing samples must be your own compositions without use of AI technology.