Application Guide
How to Apply for 2026 Legal, Policy, Research, or Technologist Summer Internship
at Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
🏢 About Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) is a unique nonprofit organization at the forefront of shaping technology policy to protect civil liberties and human rights in the digital age. Unlike corporate tech policy roles, CDT operates as an independent advocate working directly on legislation, litigation, and public education to ensure the internet remains open, innovative, and free. Working here offers the opportunity to influence real policy outcomes on issues like privacy, net neutrality, and free expression while collaborating with experts across legal, policy, and technology fields.
About This Role
This 2026 Summer Internship involves contributing to CDT's work on cutting-edge technology policy issues across legal analysis, policy research, or technologist perspectives. Interns will likely assist with research on pending legislation, analyze privacy policies of major platforms, and contribute to advocacy materials on net neutrality or other digital rights issues. The role is impactful because it directly supports CDT's mission to shape policies that affect billions of internet users while providing hands-on experience at a leading digital rights organization.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve morning team meetings to discuss legislative developments, followed by independent research on state privacy bills or platform transparency reports. Afternoons could include drafting sections of policy briefs, analyzing court decisions affecting digital rights, or participating in coalition calls with partner organizations. The remote nature means collaborating via shared documents and video calls while contributing to time-sensitive policy responses.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) Is Looking For
- Demonstrates genuine passion for digital rights issues through coursework, projects, or extracurricular involvement in areas like privacy law, internet governance, or technology policy
- Possesses strong research and analytical skills applicable to legal documents, policy briefs, or technical analysis of internet infrastructure
- Shows awareness of current debates in technology policy, such as Section 230 reform, AI regulation, encryption debates, or broadband access equity
- Can articulate specific interests aligning with CDT's focus areas (e.g., 'I want to work on state privacy laws' or 'I'm interested in platform accountability research')
📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)
Explicitly connect your background to CDT's specific issue areas—mention if you've studied the EU's Digital Services Act, worked on campus digital rights initiatives, or analyzed specific privacy policies
Highlight any experience with policy analysis frameworks, legal research methods, or technical skills relevant to internet infrastructure (even if from coursework)
Reference specific CDT projects or positions from their website—show you've researched their work on issues like student privacy, algorithmic fairness, or broadband mapping
If you have interdisciplinary background (e.g., computer science and policy), explain how this uniquely prepares you for CDT's cross-cutting work
Address CDT's commitment to diversity explicitly by discussing how your perspective or experiences would contribute to their inclusive work environment
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Specific examples of your engagement with technology policy issues (e.g., 'In my constitutional law paper, I analyzed First Amendment implications of content moderation')", "Why CDT's approach appeals to you compared to other organizations (reference their litigation strategy, coalition work, or specific publications)", "How your skills match the internship's focus areas—be precise about whether you're applying for legal, policy, research, OR technologist track", "What you hope to contribute to and learn from CDT's current priorities (mention their recent work if possible)"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → CDT's recent amicus briefs, regulatory comments, or legislative testimony to understand their specific advocacy positions
- → Their organizational structure and teams (e.g., Privacy & Data Project, Free Expression Project) to identify where your interests align
- → Key staff members' backgrounds and publications to understand the expertise you'd be working with
- → CDT's coalition partnerships (like the Electronic Frontier Alliance) to understand their collaborative approach
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic statements about 'loving technology' without connecting to policy or rights implications
- Focusing only on technical skills without demonstrating policy/legal awareness (or vice versa)
- Applying without specifying which track (legal, policy, research, or technologist) fits your background and interests
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT)!