U.S. Department of Justice Volunteer Internship 2026–2027: Human Rights and Special Prosecutions

Overview

The U.S. Department of Justice offers a volunteer internship through its Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, located within the Criminal Division in Washington, D.C. This opportunity is designed for students to gain exposure to international human rights issues, complex criminal prosecutions, human trafficking investigations, and legal research. Selected participants assist staff with document management, research tasks, and analyzing case-related materials.

Who can apply

Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are currently enrolled full-time as undergraduate or graduate students at a college or university. Candidates should possess a strong academic background, excellent research and writing abilities, and an interest in foreign cultures, history, and languages.

What you get

Participants gain practical exposure to legal professionals handling complex criminal and human rights cases. The role helps individuals develop information-management, document-organization, analytical-writing, and legal-research skills. The position is unpaid, and no salary, travel, or relocation expenses are provided, though students are encouraged to pursue academic credit or external financial support through their educational institutions.

Requirements

Applicants must submit a cover letter detailing their available dates, a resume of no more than two pages, a writing sample of up to 25 pages, an official or unofficial academic transcript, and at least three references from individuals such as professors or employers who can verify their abilities. Candidates must commit to specific schedules depending on the academic term, requiring a minimum of eight weeks between early June and mid-August for the summer session, or 15 to 20 hours per week for a full semester during the fall or spring terms.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by email directly to the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section at hrsp.undergradintern@usdoj.gov.

Key dates

Application deadlines occur on February 15 for the summer term, June 15 for the fall term, and September 15 for the spring term. Applicants should confirm the applicable cycle and deadline with the section prior to submission.