Internship

About Internship with NIAS Global Politics Team

School of Conflict and Security Studies
National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)
Internship: Short and Long term 
on
Global Politics - Area Studies & Peace & Conflict Issues

About Internship with NIAS Global Politics Team
As a part of the capacity building initiave at NIAS, the Science, Technology, and International Relations (STIR) program, and the International Peace Research Initiative (IPRI) offer internships under three categories - summer, short-term and long-term.

Interns will contribute to the daily, weekly, and monthly publications of the NIAS Global Politics team; they will be expected to write short notes, and commentaries. They will be associated with projects, which include research, writing, organisation, and coordinating workshops - thus providing a wholesome experience relating to research, coordination and networking. Interns will also be expected to participate in the Institute's activities as well.

Summer Internship as part of two NIAS Online Courses
Summer internship is offered primarily as part of two online courses – “Contemporary Global Politics” and “Contemporary South Asia.” For 2025, the courses are in progress, and are likely to be completed. For the Summer internship in 2026 (Apr-Aug), apply for the NIAS Online Courses. Details will be shared on this page by late October/early November 2025.

Summer internships are for 12 weeks (eight weeks at NIAS) and four weeks online.

Regular Internship (Short-term and Long-term)
Short-term internships are for 12 weeks. Interns are expected to be at NIAS and work full-time on one of the projects. Long-term is for 06-12 months. This should suit those who have completed undergraduate and postgraduate studies and are taking a break before continuing their academic pursuits. 

For a few, an internship is offered for 08-12 weeks in a hybrid mode, where interns work part-time but spend a minimum of 4 hours a day.



What are the focus areas?

Internships are offered in the following areas:

Contemporary World Order: Policies of the US, China, EU, Middle East, Russia and their implications on the global world order.

Big Power Politics: US-China, US-Russia, Russia-China, Russia-India, and the Indo-Pacific.

Regional Politics: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, East Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Maritime Order: South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Arctic, Atlantic Ocean, Antarctic Ocean, etc.

Area Studies: Pakistan, China, Africa, Indian Neighbourhood.

Contemporary Global Issues: AI, Cyber Security, Migration, Climate Change, International Trade, Space, and Nuclear Order.

Contemporary Conflicts: Regional, Water, Maritime, Bilateral, Gender, Migration etc.

Is there a stipend and accommodation at NIAS?

Internships are unpaid for short-term interns. A small stipend is provided to select interns who work for more than three months, subject to funding and the quality of work.

There is no accommodation on campus for interns. There are numerous PG accommodations nearby. The NIAS Global Politics team will be able to help the interns find accommodation near the Institute. For the first few days, maximum for a week, the interns can use the NIAS Guest House before finalizing the PG accommodation nearby. The tariff at the NIAS Guest House for students is nominal.

What can the interns expect from the internship?

Internship with the NIAS Global Politics team will be a capacity-building exercise, and will get the young scholars trained in basic research skills – writing, presentation, organising, etc.

Interns get an opportunity on the following:

  • - A platform to publish short notes, commentaries, and essays
     
  • - To connect with national and international scholars.
     
  • - To travel across to universities across India for conferences and workshops.
     
  • - To network with NIAS Global Politics partner think tanks and institutions and meet their scholars.
     
  • - To become a part of the NIAS Global Politics Young Voices (GPYV), an exclusive initiative for students.

 

How to apply?

Apply with a resume and a cover letter sent to
globalpolitics@nias.res.in.

And a reference letter (either by the Head of the Department or by a faculty) must be sent to Prof D Suba Chandran
subachandran@nias.res.in.

In the cover letter, address the following:

  • - An outline of the purpose of undertaking this internship (250-300 words).
     
  • - Duration of internship (mention the exact period with month and date).
     
  • - Areas of interest (300-350 words).

Where Interns Grow

Reflections from our recent batch of interns on their experiences, insights, and takeaways from the Global Politics Programme at NIAS
R Preetha

"The internship was thoughtfully designed not just to strengthen our academic skills, but also to build a network of young scholars who share a common space of learning and growth. The workshops across different cities brought together academics and team spirit, making the experience both intellectually and personally rewarding."

- R Preetha
Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai.

Lekshmi MK

"The internship was a truly enriching experience, one that every student aspires to be a part of in their journey to becoming a good scholar. It was well-structured, thoughtfully planned, and effectively executed. Through this internship, I was able to identify my areas of interest, refine my writing skills, and enhance my critical thinking abilities. It also provided me with valuable exposure and opportunities to build networks and engage in capacity building through various presentations and workshops held across different cities in India."

- Lekshmi MK,
Department of Political Science, Madras Christian College, Chennai.

Swati Sood


"At my internship at NIAS, I explored different areas of study within International Relations, refining my understanding of the world. Further, the program emphasised continuous learning and collaboration. The platform and encouragement provided to young scholars within the internship was exemplary, helping me understand the importance of academic rigour."

- Swati Sood,
Department of Political Science, Vivekananda College, University of Delhi.

Vaihali Chittrothuu

"My internship at NIAS was a truly wonderful experience. I learned new things every day, and it provided me with the opportunity to build a professional network that was enriching, insightful, and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and take on new challenges. It enhanced my perspective with new prospects in career growth."

- Vaihali Chittrothu, 
St Ann’s College for Women, Hyderabad.

Brighta

"The internship offered a transformative learning environment with numerous opportunities to enrich my growth as a scholar. It guided me in identifying and refining my skills with a vibrant team of like-minded individuals. The various workshops across academic spaces were empowering, and offered valuable networking opportunities. The holistic approach of the internship was a very rewarding experience in strengthening my academic foundation."

-Brighty Ann Sarah
Department of International Studies, Stella Maris College, Chennai

 

M Kejia

"My internship was a transformative capacity-building journey. Immersed in interdisciplinary research on policy and global affairs, I gained hands-on skills in analysis and collaboration. The experience boosted my confidence and equipped me with invaluable insights for my academic pursuits."

- M Kejia
Department of Political Science and International Studies, Pondicherry University, Puducherry.

Former Interns

Divyabharathi E
Shalini.E
Lakshmi Parimala H
Dhruv Ashok
Samreen Wani
Ann Maria Shibu
Siddhatti Mehta
Manushi Kapadia
Hely Desai
Miti Shah
Druta Bhatt
Oishee Majumdar
Nithyashree RB
Ryan Mitra
Komal Tiwary
Kriti
Abhishrut Singh
Jerin George
Vallari Parashar
Sanjali Mitra
Mahath Mangal
Raakhavee Ramesh
Titsala Sangtam
Sreeja JS
Vijay Maidergi
Lakshman Chakravarthy N
Yashaskar Shubham
Sneha Tadkal
Harini Sha P
Aarathi Srinivasan
Udbhav Krishna P
Porkkodi Ganeshpandian
Sarthak Jain
Melvin George
Vibha Venugopal
Dhanushaa P
Dincy Adlakha
Immaculine Joy Paul
Jerry Franklin