Weekend Edition & Science Desk Internship - Fall 2026

Weekend Edition & Science Desk Internship - Fall 2026

A thriving, mission-driven multimedia organization, NPR produces award-winning news, information, and music programming in partnership with hundreds of independent public radio stations across the nation. The NPR audience values information, creativity, curiosity, and social responsibility – and our employees do too. We are innovators and leaders in diverse fields, from journalism and digital media to IT and development. Every day, our employees and member stations touch the lives of millions worldwide.

Across our organization, we're building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success. We are committed to doing the right thing in our journalism and in every role at NPR. This means that integrity, adherence to our ethical standards, and compliance with legal obligations are fundamental responsibilities for every employee at NPR.

Internship Program Duration: October 5th, 2026 - April 16th, 2027. Applications close on Sunday, June 21st at 11:59 pm ET.

Intro to Position

This internship will be divided into two phases: first at Weekend Edition, NPR's weekend morning newsmagazine, and then at the Science Desk.

From October through January, the intern will be at Weekend Edition, where they will learn how to pitch and produce news stories for a weekend audience, dive into feature interview production, and take the lead in producing the signature Sunday Puzzle segment with Will Shortz. The intern will work directly with hosts Scott Simon and Ayesha Rascoe, alongside our talented and collegial staff of producers and editors.

From January through April, the intern will join the Science Desk, where they will report and produce digital stories for the desk's three sections: domestic health, global health and development and general science. The intern would be expected to pitch ideas jumping off of news developments, take assignments from desk editors, and assist NPR correspondents in reporting stories. They'd be expected to assess scientific papers to determine newsworthiness. The intern would then produce those stories for NPR's website in a timely fashion.

All work performed by the intern is to be done under the close supervision of NPR producers, editors, reporters and hosts.

This is an NPR editorial role covered under the terms of the NPR Ethics Handbook. All editorial staff are bound by this guidance. Editorial staff is defined as staff members who play a role in shaping the journalistic or creative direction of NPR's content, including events.

Weekend Edition Responsibilities

• Pitch ideas for host interviews on news and feature topics
• Pre-interview and book guests
• Write host copy and interview questions
• Produce live and pre-recorded host interviews, including managing recordings and editing audio
• Write digital interview highlights and stories

Science Desk Responsibilities

• Pitch story ideas
• Report and produce stories on general science, domestic health and global health
• Assess science papers and other research developments for newsworthiness
• Collaborate with NPR Science desk reporters and editors
• Work on a "capstone" project consisting of an originally reported feature

The above duties and responsibilities are not an exhaustive list of required responsibilities, duties and skills. Other duties may be assigned, and this job description can be modified at any time.

Qualifications

• Journalism/news reporting or editing experience
• Excellent research skills and an eye for a new angle/perspective on major news stories
• The ability to find the right expert or first-person voice to illustrate a complicated news topic
• Ability to own a task from concept to completion
• PREFERRED: audio production experience

Application Requirements

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample

Education Requirements

Must be a current student in an accredited degree program or a recent graduate of no more than 12 months from the month of the start of the internship.

Work Location & Requirements

This is a hybrid permitted role. The employee will be required to be in the office at the Washington, D.C. location at least 3 days a week.

Job Type

This is a full-time, non-exempt internship.

Schedule

This is a full time internship with differing schedules for the two rotations:

• For Weekend Edition: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST Wednesday through Friday; 6:00AM to 2:00 PM EST Saturday and Sunday.
• For the Science Desk: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST.

Compensation

Hourly Rate: The U.S.-based anticipated hourly rate for this opportunity is $20.00 per hour. The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum hourly rate NPR expects to provide for new hires for the position across all US locations.

NPR Benefits: NPR offers interns a robust package of benefits and resources designed to foster their professional development and support their overall well-being. Interns are eligible to make elective contributions to the NPR 403(b) retirement plan. As an intern, you have access to Transit Commuter benefits through HealthEquity, which allow you to set aside pre tax funds for eligible commuting expenses. You are also eligible for membership with the Signal Financial Federal Credit Union, giving you access to a range of financial services and resources. At our DC Headquarters, interns enjoy free access to on-site Wellness Center, free fitness center membership, secure bike facilities, garage parking, and onsite cafeteria. Other benefits include the Employee Assistance Program with up to six face-to-face counseling sessions per issue, Global Guardian worldwide assistance, and Business Travel Accident coverage. Additionally, interns working 30 or more hours per week receive holiday pay for 10 observed holidays plus one floating holiday per year and accrue 3.08 hours of sick leave each pay period with no waiting period. NPR also supports career growth and work-life balance through professional development opportunities, flexible work hours, and telecommuting options.

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