USTDA is an independent U.S. Government foreign assistance agency that is funded by the U.S. Congress. Our mission, USTDA Mission Statement, is to promote economic growth in developing and middle income countries, while simultaneously helping American businesses to export their products and services, thereby creating U.S. jobs. In addition, USTDA supports U.S. policy objectives related to development and capacity building activities. USTDA meets its mission by providing grant funding to overseas project sponsors for the planning of projects that support the development of modern infrastructure and an open trading system. The hallmark of USTDA development assistance has always involved building partnerships between U.S. companies and overseas project sponsors to bring proven private sector solutions to developmental challenges. USTDA’s website is located at www.ustda.gov.

Program Internships

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency accepts student internship applications on a rolling basis to fill positions in the regional programs of East Asia, South East Asia, Sub Sahara Africa, Latin America, and Middle East-North Africa, as well as in our Congressional and Public Affairs, Grants and our Economic/Evaluations offices. All internships take place in our office located in Arlington, Virginia and are available year-round to students who are U.S. citizens and who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or post graduate program with a focus on international business, trade, or finance; economics; public relations or communications. All internships are unpaid. All student interns are eligible for mass transit subsidy. A security clearance is required and will be sponsored by USTDA. USTDA requests a 40 hour work week for a 12 week period during the summer; a minimum of 20-25 hours per week for a 12 week period is requested during the academic year.

Deadlines for application submission are as follows:

• Summer (May-July) placements: December 15
• Fall (September-October) placements: April 15
• Winter/Spring (January-February) placements: August 15

If interested, please submit a resume, letter of recommendation, unofficial transcript, and a cover letter indicating the area of assignment preference and dates of availability.

Applications can be emailed to Carolyn Hum at or faxed to 703-656-4810.

Legal Internships

The Office of the General Counsel of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) accepts applications for legal internships from first or second year law students. Strong writing and analytical skills coupled with excellent work and academic credentials are essential. A demonstrated interest in international affairs and business is helpful. U.S. citizenship is required and interns will need to obtain a security clearance prior to start of the internship. All legal internships are unpaid. USTDA requires a commitment of 40 hours per week over a 10 week period. USTDA legal internships are available during the summer only. Applications for the upcoming summer are accepted through February 15. Any intern seeking credit for an internship must make his/her own arrangements with their law school.

If interested, please send cover letter, resume, law school transcript (undergraduate transcript if law school transcript is not available) and writing sample to Alain Lopez via email at , via fax at 703-875-4009, or via U.S. mail to 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1600, Arlington, VA 22209.