About the Program
CERL’s nine-week summer internship program prepares law, graduate, and undergraduate students interested in the national security field by providing an ethics and rule of law foundation so that their future perspectives, leadership, and decision-making are always rooted in the rule of law. Our interns help further CERL’s mission through research, writing, and conference planning, and gain valuable insights through conversations with national security experts on the critical issues facing our nation today.
About CERL
CERL is a non-partisan institute that preserves and promotes ethics and the rule of law in national security, democratic governance, conflict, and war. CERL draws from the study of law, philosophy, and ethics and unites scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to probe critical issues through the lens of ethics and the rule of law.
Responsibilities
- Research critical ethical and rule of law issues affecting the United States today
- Help plan CERL’s conferences, workshops, and public programs
- Publish original works for CERL’s blog, The Rule of Law Post
- Help prepare CERL policy briefings and contribute to CERL academic publications
- Interact with leading academics and practitioners in the national security field and CERL Executive Board members
Eligibility
Law students (JD or LLM) and graduate students in philosophy, political science, international relations, communications, and other related fields who are interested in examining the intersection of rule of law values, applied ethics, and national security.
Note: The program is open to international applicants (including Indians).
Funding and Visa
- Applicants are encouraged to seek funding from home institution or from outside sources;
- stipends will be offered on a limited basis for students who are unable to obtain funding.
- If accepted into the program, international students are responsible for securing the proper work visas.
Deadline
April 15, 2026
Duration
June 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026.
How to Apply?
Submit a cover letter, CV or resume, transcript and writing sample to cerl@global.upenn.edu.
Contact Information
