2026 Spring Measurement & Evaluation Internship

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) offers a paid internship program for students in undergraduate, graduate, law and medical schools, and we also consider postgraduates. These paid internships offer structured work experiences and an opportunity to:

• Gain substantial knowledge of the policy-making process and the role science plays.
• Participate in group meetings and strategy brainstorming sessions.
• Obtain general research and communication skills by working closely with science, policy, legislative and outreach experts.
• Meet with staff at all levels of the organization to discuss career roles and paths.
• Assess your own interests and skills.

About CSPI

CSPI is one of the nation’s leading public health advocacy organizations with a 50-year record of fighting for science in the public interest and working to improve the food environment for all. We’ve led efforts to win passage of many state and local policies to improve school foods, put calories on chain restaurant menus and menu boards, and remove sugary drinks from children’s menus. National policy successes include the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act; Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act; Food Safety Modernization Act; and Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. Over the last five years, CSPI with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies (BP), has led work on a comprehensive package of food policy advocacy and regulatory efforts at the federal, state, and local level.

About the Internship Opportunity

The intern will assist with the implementation of CSPI’s new strategic plan including the launch of an organization-wide Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plan. A critical component of the implementation phase is tracking and reporting progress across CSPI’s eight strategic priorities. The intern will work closely with the Program Manager to operationalize a data dashboard for staff to complete. Specific tasks includes developing data reports and visualizations, maintaining data integrity, and troubleshooting any discrepancies, and developing an organization-wide impact report which will include a compilation of roll up metrics from the dashboard. The intern will also contribute to the development and design of staff learning and reflection sessions based on the MEL plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and contribute to the operationalization of a new data dashboard to capture key metrics across CSPI’s strategic priorities.
• Review data inputs across teams to identify any data discrepancies or errors and help troubleshoot them.
• Identify opportunities to streamline data collection and reporting processes to improve efficiency and usability.
• Collaborate with Program Manager on the development of an organization-wide impact report.
• Contribute to the design and development of staff learning and reflection sessions based on the MEL plan.
• Participate in relevant MEL committee and/or other staff meetings.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a public health, social work, public administration, or related degree program (undergraduate, master’s, or doctoral)
• Excellent research and analytic skills with ability to cull through data and interpret data clearly and accurately
• Experience with Excel preferred.
• A creative problem-solver who enjoys improving systems and processes.
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage tasks appropriately to achieve project goals
• Interest in understanding how adults learn and develop, as this role will help design and support staff learning and reflection opportunities. [CO1]

What Else You Should Know

CSPI pays interns $17.95 per hour. Our 10-week spring intern program is part-time (10 hours per week). The ideal start date is late January/early February, but we will work with applicants if there’s a schedule conflict. The internship program is remote within the US, with the opportunity to work from our DC office if desired.

CSPI requires all employees, including paid interns, to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are eligible, and the vaccine is available to them, as part of our efforts to maintain a safe workplace for employees and visitors. Proof of vaccination is required during the onboarding process.

CSPI on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

CSPI is committed to including and valuing diverse voices and fostering a culture that ensures all staff feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to be their best selves. In that spirit, each of us is committed to putting in constant work to live up to our organization’s core values:

• We are inclusive. We seek to foster an environment where all staff feel a sense of belonging and are affirmed. We actively welcome and value staff with different experiences, backgrounds, attributes, abilities, and perspectives.
• We are open. We are honest, direct, and respectful in how we communicate with each other.
•  We are kind. We communicate and treat one another in a generous, considerate, and compassionate way.
• We are collaborative. We work together for the common good, seek input from those impacted by our work, and celebrate our shared successes.
• We are accountable. We acknowledge and assume responsibility for our actions, learn from our mistakes with humility, and change course when circumstances warrant.