Application Guide

How to Apply for Nuclear Policy Research Internship

at Arms Control Association

🏢 About Arms Control Association

The Arms Control Association is a leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting public understanding of arms control and disarmament issues. What makes ACA unique is its authoritative voice in nuclear policy debates through publications like Arms Control Today and its direct engagement with policymakers. Someone would want to work here to contribute to meaningful nuclear risk reduction efforts while gaining hands-on experience with influential policy materials.

About This Role

This Nuclear Policy Research Internship involves researching policy developments and creating content across multiple formats including Arms Control Today articles, fact sheets, and blog posts. The role is impactful because you'll help shape public and policy discourse on critical nuclear security issues while supporting the organization's flagship publication and annual meeting.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning research on recent nuclear policy developments, drafting a blog post on a current arms control issue, and editing fact sheets for accuracy. You'd likely spend afternoon hours uploading content to the ACA website and preparing materials for upcoming meetings, while tracking multiple projects across different stages of completion.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Arms Control Association Is Looking For

  • A current student or recent graduate in International Affairs, Political Science, or related field with demonstrated interest in arms control/nuclear policy
  • Has specific experience writing in different formats like blog posts, news briefs, and social media content with samples to show versatility
  • Can demonstrate self-motivation through previous remote work or independent research projects
  • Shows meticulous attention to detail through error-free writing samples and organized application materials

📝 Tips for Applying to Arms Control Association

1

Submit 2-3 writing samples that demonstrate different styles mentioned in the job description (e.g., one blog-style piece, one fact sheet or brief, one news-style article)

2

Reference specific ACA publications you've read in your cover letter, particularly recent Arms Control Today articles

3

Highlight any experience with content management systems or website editing, as this is explicitly mentioned in the job duties

4

Mention your ability to work independently in a remote setting with concrete examples

5

Tailor your resume to show policy research experience, even if from academic projects, using relevant keywords like 'policy tracking' and 'content development'

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Demonstrate specific knowledge of current nuclear policy debates and how ACA contributes to them', 'Show versatility in writing by mentioning experience with different formats (blogs, briefs, newsletters)', 'Explain why remote work suits your productivity style and how you stay organized without supervision', "Connect your academic background directly to arms control issues, even if indirectly (e.g., 'My thesis on international institutions prepared me to analyze treaty compliance')"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Read the latest 3 issues of Arms Control Today to understand their style and current focus areas
  • → Study ACA's recent policy positions on specific treaties or negotiations (New START, Iran deal, etc.)
  • → Review the organization's blog and social media to understand their public engagement approach
  • → Look into the ACA Annual Meeting - past speakers, topics, and format to understand this responsibility

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you track and summarize a recent nuclear policy development for different audiences (expert vs. public)?
2 What current arms control issue do you think deserves more public attention and how would you write about it?
3 Describe your process for fact-checking and editing technical policy content
4 How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple writing projects with different deadlines?
5 What experience do you have with digital content management or website updating systems?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting generic writing samples without nuclear/arms control relevance
  • Failing to mention specific ACA publications or work in your application
  • Not demonstrating understanding that this is policy research/writing, not just general internship work
  • Showing poor attention to detail in application materials (typos, formatting issues)

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Arms Control Association!

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