NARA Offers Unpaid Work Opportunity for Aspiring Archivists
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), a federal government agency established in 1934 and dedicated to preserving and making accessible documents significant to U.S. history, has invited applications for its Fall 2025 voluntary internship program.
NARA's extensive collection includes materials documenting various events in U.S. history, from family histories to military service records, making it an invaluable resource for diverse interests. The internship program offers opportunities in various fields, including Archival Processing, Business, Communications, Conservation/Preservation, Cartography, Digitizing Archival Materials, Editorial, Education & Public Programs, External & Public Affairs, Facility Operations & Logistics, Human Resources, Information Technology, Legal, Legislative, Marketing, Museums Collections & Exhibits Management, Photo Services, Public History, Records Management, Reference Services, Social Media, and Special Events.
Eligibility for the Fall 2025 internships includes current or former bachelor's degree or graduate students. For certain positions, a degree in accounting, business, finance, or management is specified. All candidates must be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens.
Interns are expected to work on-site for at least 50 percent of the time, and work schedules are determined collaboratively with supervisors. Interns may choose a weekly schedule of 10 hours or 11–19 hours per week, and the internship period runs from September 15, 2025, through December 5, 2025.
To apply, candidates must complete an application form, a cover letter, resume, and an unofficial transcript with GPA. Interns selected for an internship will be required to verify their U.S. citizenship and complete a background check.
Interested candidates can submit their applications via email to [email protected]. Candidates will be contacted for interviews and references if selected for an internship.
It is essential to note that application links will be posted on NARA's website when the application is open. International students or specific visa requirements are not mentioned for these opportunities in the available information. Always check the latest official postings for the most current and detailed requirements.
Deadlines for NARA internship applications include Fall 2025 (June 30, 2025 - July 18, 2025), Spring 2026 (application open date not specified), and Summer 2026 (March 16, 2026).
NARA operates a nationwide network of regional facilities, and internship locations for NARA are throughout the United States. The work environment is primarily an office setting with few physical demands; interns will be given a NARA laptop for their work.
Internships last for 10-12 weeks, with interns expected to work between 10 and 40 hours per week, accumulating a minimum of 100 hours. Examples of past internships include those in Spring 2025, Fall 2024, and Summer 2024.
For more information about NARA and its internship program, please visit www.archives.gov.
Pursuing the Fall 2025 internship program at NARA can provide extensive learning opportunities in education and self-development, with fields such as Archival Processing, Conservation/Preservation, and Education & Public Programs available. Additionally, online education may be a valuable resource, as skills training related to career development, like team collaboration and work with IT, are essential components of the internship.
