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PELL EDUCATION POLICY INTERNSHIP

The Pell Institute Education Research & Policy Internship program is a non-paid research experience that offers graduate students the opportunity to develop or refine research skills and cultivate an understanding of the nexus between education research, public policy, and educational practice. The internship can be 4, 8, or 12 weeks and is open to students who are interested in gaining research experience in the higher education policy arena. Interns should be highly motivated, organized, and able to work well independently. Interns may work closely with researchers at the Pell Institute, and, on occasion, assist Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) staff. Primary responsibilities will include conducting research for literature reviews and collecting and analyzing data for current projects. The internship experiences are crafted around interns' skills and interests. The types of education research and policy analysis the Pell Institute is or has engaged include but are not limited to:

  • Researching and synthesizing “best practices” for (a) supporting students' academic achievement, college persistence, and completion; (b) recruiting and enrolling students in college; and (c) transferring students from two-year to four-year postsecondary institutions.
  • Developing toolkits to support campus-wide retention initiatives and the evaluation of college access and success programs.
  • Identifying and compiling college student funding opportunities in a scholarship directory
  • Surveying and assessing the use and impact of college access curricula
  • Providing research and analytical support for COE on federal TRIO and GEAR UP programs

How to Apply

We accept applications throughout the year, but internships are only offered to qualified applicants on an as needed basis. To apply, please submit a complete application (.pdf), resume (curriculum vitae), and the names, titles, addresses, and contact information for 2 professional or academic references. All applications should include a cover letter (not to exceed two pages) describing your interest in the internship, background and experiences, research focus and interests, and future professional goals. All applications should be submitted to Dr. Terry Vaughan III via e-mail (terry.vaughan@pellinstitute.org) or postal mail to the following address (1025 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 1020, Washington, D.C. 20005). Applications are reviewed upon submission. Only complete applications will be reviewed.


Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the United States — 2020 Historical
Trend Report (.pdf)


Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the United States — 2019 Historical
Trend Report (.pdf)


Travelers EDGE — 10 Years of College Access and Success (.pdf)


Reflections on Connecting Research and Practice in College Access and Success Programs (.pdf)


Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the United States — 2018 Historical
Trend Report (.pdf)
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