Summer Internships

The IDA Summer Associate Program provides students with a unique opportunity to use their quantitative and analytic skills to work on challenging real-world national security issues. Each year, IDA hires and pays students at its Virginia and Washington, DC, facilities to work for approximately 10-12 weeks during the summer months.

We seek both undergraduate (rising seniors) and graduate students with strong GPAs (3.3 or above) in a variety of disciplines including computer science, information technology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, operations research, aero/astronautical engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering, as well as materials science, international relations, policy studies, social and behavioral sciences, statistics, finance, and economics. These internships are for continuing students, so applicants must have plans to return to school in the fall. 

The application period for the 2025 Summer Associate Program has now closed. We will begin accepting applications for the 2026 Summer Associate Program on September 1, 2025. For more information, check out the Summer Associate FAQs or reach out to employment@ida.org.

2024 Summer Associates with IDA President Norty Schwartz and Vice Presidents Laura Baldwin and Linda Huntt