
The FREE Initiative is a national collaborative outreach and educational resourcing effort led by AEI scholar Ian Rowe. The FREE Initiative disseminates insights about the crucial roles of family, religion, education, and entrepreneurship in developing the rising generation of young Americans. FREE is also building and catalyzing a growing network of exemplary leaders from across the nation who use their spheres of influence to revitalize community life and instill a sense of agency in the next generation.
The FREE Initiative is committed to building partnerships among policymakers, cultural leaders, and local influencers to help young Americans—particularly emerging leaders representing ethnic minorities—move up the economic ladder and invest in the social institutions that help all people flourish. The initiative’s priorities include launching a tool kit for educators who are interested in teaching young people the FREE Framework, piloting lessons for high school students on youth agency, strengthening partnerships with external individuals and organizations, and building new audiences for Mr. Rowe and the FREE Initiative around the country through various outreach activities, including events. The intern will assist in furthering the mission of building agency in students and receive mentorship from the FREE Initiative manager and team.
The intern is expected to:
The ideal candidate for this position will be a rising college sophomore or above with excellent writing and communication skills who is proactive, organized, and willing to learn and accept feedback. We are also seeking a candidate who is entrepreneurial, driven, and self-directed. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets is beneficial. Candidates who are able to participate in the program on an in-person basis for 25-40 hours per week are encouraged to apply.
About AEI Internships
AEI internships offer a unique opportunity for undergraduates, graduate students, and recent graduates to gain experience in research, writing, business, and communications at one of the nation’s leading think tanks.
Competitive candidates will generally have a GPA of 3.5 or higher from a top-ranking college or university. AEI’s internship program runs for 12 weeks and all related programming will take place in-person in Washington, DC. Please see the internship program home page for updates.
The fall program dates are either Tuesday, September 8, to Friday, December 4, or Tuesday, September 15, to Friday, December 11.

Who we are:
The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of our scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in our belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture.
How we do it:
We are committed to making the intellectual, moral, and practical case for expanding freedom, increasing individual opportunity, and strengthening the free enterprise system in America and around the world. Our work explores ideas that further these goals, and AEI scholars take part in this pursuit with academic freedom. AEI operates independently of any political party and has no institutional positions. Our scholars’ conclusions are fueled by rigorous, data-driven research and broad-ranging evidence.
Our work:
Our scholars not only engage in research that focuses on today’s most critical challenges but also look ahead to ideas and issues that have yet to be widely recognized. AEI scholars pursue innovative, independent work across a wide array of subjects. From economics, education, health care, and poverty to foreign and defense studies, public opinion, politics, society, and culture, our experts drive the competition of ideas.