Scowcroft Nye Fellow

Company Intelligence

The Aspen Institute is a non-profit think tank founded in 1949, headquartered in Washington, DC, with 201-500 employees. It operates in the non-profits sector, focusing on leadership development, policy research, and convenings across economics, philosophy, Latino leadership, and financial security. The organization holds a prominent position in U.S. policy circles through programs like the Aspen Economic Strategy Group (co-chaired by former Treasury Secretaries Henry Paulson and Timothy Geithner) and Aspen Conexión, which advance bipartisan economic solutions and Latino economic mobility. Recent strategic directions emphasize scaling leadership seminars for corporate, non-profit, and government sectors, expanding revenue through tuition-based programs, and addressing economic inequality via evidence-based policy. Company culture prioritizes values-based leadership, humanities-driven development, and cross-sector collaboration, fostering environments for innovative thinking and bipartisan dialogue. Core values include nonpartisanship, intellectual rigor, and inclusive prosperity, with a mission to "drive change through dialogue, leadership, and action to address the greatest challenges of our time." Primary office in Washington, DC (West End area); other locations include NYC for Aspen Conexión; internships suggest in-person focus with no explicit hybrid/remote policies mentioned.

Program Deep Dive

The Scowcroft-Nye Fellow program (specific details limited in available data; aligns with Aspen Institute's policy-focused fellowships) targets students/recent graduates in international relations, likely within programs like the Aspen Economic Strategy Group or similar DC-based initiatives emphasizing global policy and leadership. Structure typically spans 9-12 months (based on standard Aspen internships), involving research, event support, and policy analysis; timeline starts post-graduation (e.g., summer/fall for 2026 entry). Seeks competencies in research, writing, critical thinking, and bipartisan policy analysis; ideal for IR/political science majors with interest in economics, security, or global affairs. Daily responsibilities include assisting with research projects, preparing briefing materials, supporting convenings with leaders, and contributing to reports on economic/security challenges; learning via exposure to high-level policymakers. Mentorship comes from program directors (e.g., former officials) and training through seminars on leadership and policy development. Post-completion paths lead to policy roles in think tanks, government (e.g., State Department), or NGOs, with strong alumni networks in DC policy circles.

Application Success Guide

Requirements: Bachelor's degree (or pursuing); strong academic record in IR/political science/economics; writing samples; resume; cover letter demonstrating policy interest. Deadlines not specified; monitor aspeninstitute.org/careers for 2026 cycles (apply early, e.g., fall 2025 for summer 2026). Step-by-step process:

1. Visit aspeninstitute.org/careers/internships or linked Indeed page.
2. Submit resume, cover letter tailored to Scowcroft-Nye (highlight IR/policy experience).
3. Provide 1-2 writing samples (e.g., policy memos).
4. Complete any program-specific questionnaire on bipartisan values. Common interview questions: "How would you approach a bipartisan solution to U.S.-China relations?"; "Describe a time you navigated diverse viewpoints in a team."; "What Aspen program excites you most and why?" (Inferred from policy focus). No assessment centers noted; expect behavioral/case-based discussions on current events. Standout candidates show genuine policy passion via prior research/internships (e.g., Model UN, think tanks), concise writing, and alignment with nonpartisan ethos.

Insider Tips

• Interviews: Emphasize humility, listening skills, and ability to synthesize complex ideas—Aspen values Socratic dialogue over debate wins. Prepare for panel interviews with staff/alumni.
• Skills priority: Soft skills (collaboration, adaptability, ethical reasoning) outweigh technical; demonstrate via examples, not lists.
• Industry knowledge: Cite recent U.S. economic challenges (e.g., inflation, trade with China/Latin America) and Aspen's role (e.g., AESG reports).
• Questions to ask: "How does the Scowcroft-Nye Fellow contribute to ongoing DC convenings?"; "What emerging global issue is the team prioritizing for 2026?"—shows research.
• Red flags: Partisan language, vague policy views, or weak writing samples; avoid overconfidence in interviews.

Practical Information

• Salary/stipend: Unpaid or modest stipend (~$1,000-$2,000/month for DC internships; confirm via listing); many fellows fund via scholarships.
• Benefits: Professional development, networking with leaders (e.g., Paulson, Geithner), potential housing stipends; no health mentioned for interns.
• Duration/start: 9-12 months; likely summer/fall 2026 start.
• Networking: Direct access to DC policymakers, alumni in government/think tanks; leverage events for connections.