The White House has officially opened applications for its prestigious Summer 2026 Internship Program, creating a rare and highly competitive public-service opportunity for eligible candidates across the United States.
This program remains available for the 2026–2027 cycle until the early January deadline, giving motivated students and recent graduates a chance to serve within the Executive Office of the President. This guide explains what the opportunity is, what the internship offers, who can apply, and the exact deadlines applicants must follow.
What This Opportunity Is About?
The White House Internship Program is a structured, full-time, in-person internship hosted at the White House campus in Washington, D.C. It is designed to cultivate future public-service leaders by giving interns meaningful, hands-on experience in federal operations, policy discussions, research, communications, administrative support, and event coordination. Beyond day-to-day responsibilities, interns also participate in a professional-development speaker series and community engagement activities, allowing them to understand how national leadership functions from within one of the world’s most influential institutions.
This article provides a complete guide for the 2026–2027 intake, outlining key offerings, eligibility rules, and important dates to help applicants prepare a strong submission.
What the Internship Offers?
The White House Internship Program provides selected interns with a high-impact learning and leadership experience. Interns work directly with White House staff across various offices and departments, depending on their interests and placement. Key offerings include:
- Full-time, in-person work experience inside the White House campus in Washington, D.C.
- Exposure to policy discussions, federal administration, and government operations
- Training through weekly professional-development sessions and a dedicated speaker series
- Opportunities to participate in community service, volunteer initiatives, and special projects
- Direct experience supporting the operational, strategic, and administrative needs of senior government offices
While the internship does not provide a salary, stipend, or housing, its prestige, network access, and exposure to federal leadership make it one of the most competitive internship opportunities in the United States.
Eligibility Checks for the 2026 Summer Internship
Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet all mandatory eligibility requirements for the Summer 2026 cohort:
Citizenship and Age Requirements
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must be at least 18 years old by the start of the internship
Academic or Service Requirements: Applicants must meet at least one of the following:
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a college or university and must have completed at least two semesters before the internship begins
- Graduated from an undergraduate or graduate degree program within the two years preceding the internship start date
- A U.S. military veteran with a high school diploma or equivalent who has served active duty within the two years prior to the internship start
Additional Obligations:
- Must comply with all security clearance processes, including completing the required federal background-security form.
- Must be able to commit to full-time, in-person work at the White House campus
- Must demonstrate strong professional maturity, leadership potential, and a commitment to public service.
Important Deadlines for the Summer 2026 Internship
The application timeline for the White House Summer Internship Program for the 2026–2027 cycle follows a strict and clearly defined schedule that all applicants must adhere to. The application portal opens on December 1, 2025, giving candidates just over a month to prepare and submit all required materials.
The final deadline to apply is January 5, 2026, and no late submissions are accepted. After the review and selection process begins, the White House starts issuing acceptance notifications from February 9, 2026 onward. Successful candidates then begin preparing for their in-person placement in Washington, D.C., with the internship officially commencing on June 3, 2026.
The white house summer internship program will run throughout the summer and concludes on August 7, 2026.