The Undergraduate Diversity Fellowship at the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) offers paid four-month summer fellowships to extend educational, professional, and mentorship opportunities to historically underrepresented minorities such as Black and brown community college students, freshman, sophomore, or juniors in college. Qualified applicants will be interested in learning more about Asia and in pursuing careers in international affairs or U.S. foreign policy.

This opportunity allows fellows to expand their networks and develop skills in research, event planning, publications, and general office and project management support through direct professional experience.

Orientation Month (remote)

Starting in May, fellows will work 5–10 hours a week remotely prior to their 10–12-week summer internship in NBR’s D.C. office. Fellows will become acquainted with NBR, get to know their supervisors and other employees, set goals, and attend NBR events. This training period will allow for supervisors to provide a well-rounded mentoring experience for their fellows before their internship and afterwards. Fellows will learn about NBR and the think tank industry, be introduced to the different teams at NBR, and become familiar with NBR projects.

Team Assignment and Role (in person)

From June, Undergraduate Diversity fellows will work primarily with one of the existing program teams at NBR. Team assignments will be based on NBR team needs, although candidate preference will be taken into consideration.

Throughout the fellowship, fellows will gain experience in project management, research, writing, and editing in order to build skills for future careers in policy. Fellows will assist with project activities, publications support, database administration, event planning, and general office support. NBR supervisors and mentors will facilitate external event attendance and networking opportunities in the D.C. policy community where possible.

NBR program teams include:

• Political and Security Affairs leads research focused on geopolitical issues in Asia such as maritime security, China’s growing power and influence, cross-strait relations, nuclear North Korea, and U.S. relations with allies and partners.
• Center for Innovation, Trade, and Strategy leads research on topics ranging from digital trade and data governance, to the impact of emerging technologies, intellectual property protection, supply chains, and trade policy on regional countries’ strategies in the Indo-Pacific.
• Energy and Environmental Affairs leads research on how Asia will balance its rising demand for energy with economic growth and action on climate change.
• Publications assists with the dissemination of NBR research findings through editing and publishing reports, journal articles and roundtables, online content, and monographs.
• Congressional Affairs connects NBR and the U.S. congress, ensuring that NBR’s research and analysis is timely, impactful, and relevant to policymakers.

Summer Learning Series

Throughout the fellowship period, fellows will attend professional development workshops on topics such as memo writing and budget management, as well as career exploration and networking, to support the development of their careers in the policy community.

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