2021 Summer Associate Program

Overview

The IDA Summer Associate Program provides students unique opportunity to use their quantitative and analytic skills to work on challenging real-world national security issues. The Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is a not-for-profit corporation that operates Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs).

Two of these FFRDCs are accepting Summer Associates.

Staff at the IDA Systems and Analyses Center (SAC) provide objective analyses of national security issues, particularly those requiring scientific and technical expertise, and conduct related research on other national challenges.  The Studies and Analyses Center, located in Alexandria, Virginia, is comprised of eight research divisions:

• Cost Analysis and Research Division                            • Information Technology and Systems Division

• Intelligence Analyses Division                                        • Joint Advanced Warfighting Division

• Operational Evaluation Division                                     • System Evaluation Division

• Science and Technology Division                                  • Strategy, Forces and Resources Division

Staff at the IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), located in Washington, DC, assist the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and other executive branch agencies in formulating federal S&T policy by providing high-quality, objective, analytical support to inform policymakers.

Each year, IDA hires paid student associates at its Virginia and Washington, DC facilities to work for a minimum of 10 weeks during the summer months. Attendance at the 9 week core period between June 7, 2021 and August 6, 2021 is required.  An additional week either before or after the core period is required for a complete 10 week internship. In some cases opportunities exist for associates to work a few weeks longer than the 10-week minimum.  

The wage range is dependent on the field of study and years of education completed. For students living outside the area, IDA pays for one instance of round-trip travel.  Associates are responsible for living expenses during the summer.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities vary depending on division and particular assignment.

Qualifications

We seek highly qualified students with strong academic backgrounds.  Our preference for the program is graduate students, but we will consider undergraduates who are rising seniors.  In either case, students must be returning to an academic institution in the fall to continue their educational pursuits. 

SAC seeks a variety of disciplines, including computer science, information technology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, operations research, aero/astronautical engineering, mechanical or electrical engineering, materials science, statistics, economics, as well as social and behavioral sciences, human resources, security, international relations, policy studies, and finance.

STPI seeks a variety of disciplines, including behavioral sciences, biological sciences, computer science, economics, engineering, environmental sciences, learning sciences, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, and statistics.

Applicants are required to submit a resume and transcripts. Applicants who do not submit their transcripts will not be considered.

Applicants who are selected will be subject to a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. U.S. citizenship is required.