About the Program
CERL’s nine-week summer internship program prepares law, graduate, and undergraduate students interested in the national security field by providing an ethics and rule of law foundation so that their future perspectives, leadership, and decision-making are always rooted in the rule of law.
Our interns help further CERL’s mission through research, writing, and conference planning, and gain valuable insights through conversations with national security experts on the critical issues facing our nation today.
Former CERL interns have gone on to positions in the government including in the Department of Justice, Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, and Space Force.
About CERL
CERL is a non-partisan institute that preserves and promotes ethics and the rule of law in national security, democratic governance, conflict, and war.
CERL draws from the study of law, philosophy, and ethics and unites scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to probe critical issues through the lens of ethics and the rule of law.
Using the tools of interdisciplinary engagement and open dialogue, CERL experts answer the hard questions that arise when the rule of law is threatened or violated, and provides guidance that helps safeguard U.S. democracy.
Key Responsibilities
- Research critical ethical and rule of law issues affecting the United States today
- Help plan CERL’s conferences, workshops, and public programs
- Publish original works for CERL’s blog, The Rule of Law Post
- Help prepare CERL policy briefings and contribute to CERL academic publications
- Interact with leading academics and practitioners in the national security field and CERL Executive Board members
Eligibility
Law students (JD or LLM) and graduate students in philosophy, political science, international relations, communications, and other related fields who are interested in examining the intersection of rule of law values, applied ethics, and national security are encouraged to apply.
Note: The program is open to international applicants (including Indians).
Funding and Visa
- Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from their home institution or from outside sources;
- stipends will be offered on a limited basis for students who are unable to obtain funding.
- If accepted into the program, international students are responsible for securing the proper work visas.
Deadline
April 15, 2026
Internship Duration
The 2026 internship begins June 1, 2026, and ends July 31, 2026.
How to Apply?
Applicants should complete the application form and submit a cover letter, CV or resume, transcript, and writing sample to cerl@global.upenn.edu.
The link for the application form is given at the end of the post.
Contact Information
For any inquiries about CERL’s 2026 Summer Internship Program, please mail to cerl@global.upenn.edu.
Click here to apply!
Disclaimer: Charging money from students for internships or from job applicants is unethical and can result in blacklisting. We strongly discourage requesting any kind of payment from interns, including processing fees or charges for certificates. If you have any concerns, please contact us at contact@lawctopus.com