Internship FAQ's


Who should apply?

Candidates should be college juniors, seniors or recent graduates. CNFA will consider any interested candidate with preference given to those with degrees in economics, agriculture, business, international relations, marketing or a related field of study.  For more specific qualifications, please see the Job Descriptions.

Candidates must also have the right to receive payment for work in the U.S. Please ensure that you have the proper visa requirements as CNFA does not sponsor work permits.

When are the 2010 application deadlines?

Spring Term: January 54-May 28 Application Deadline: October 30th (2009)

Summer Term: June 1-August 30 Application Deadline: April 17

Fall Term: September1- December 30 Application Deadline: July17

Do you make exceptions to the deadlines?

While we do not formally accept intern applications after the deadline, if you wish you may email your documents to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  While we make no promises to consider your application if it is late, but based on your qualifications and our needs, we may contact you for an interview.

Are the dates and length of internship flexible?

Unfortunately we cannot accept requests for longer or shorter internships, such as two-month, or six-month internships.  The start and end dates are flexible only within a week, two at maximum.  Ability to start early may be looked on favorably and should be indicated in the cover letter. 

Are the internships paid positions?

The interns receive a stipend of $1500 per month, paid in two installments of $750. Interns are considered paid consultants; therefore taxes are not withheld, making each person responsible for the payment of his/her own taxes. We are not able to accept requests for additional unpaid internships at this time. 

Can I live on $1500 a month in Washington, DC?

While Washington can be a bit expensive, most interns find it feasible to live with the stipend if they budget well.

Does CNFA assist with housing? Where can I find housing in DC?

Although CNFA itself does not offer housing assistance, there are a variety of resources to help you find a place to stay during your time in Washington, DC. Several universities in the city offer summer housing and many interns find it helpful to rent a room in a house or apartment. For a list of possible resources, click here.

Is there an opportunity for Interns to move up to a full-time job at CNFA?

While such instances are rare, occasionally we will have an entry-level position open up and interns are generally our first choice.  Several interns over the years have gone on to work full-time for CNFA, but there is no guarantee that such an opportunity will be available.

What have other interns gone on to do after their internship?

CNFA interns have gone on to work at many other international development organizations and non-profits such as Chemonics and Conservation International, institutions such as USDA's Foreign Agriculture Service, graduate programs in public policy, international development, and public health, technical overseas development jobs, Peace Corps, military, and other agricultural careers such as organic farming.

How do I apply for an internship?

Click here to browse job opportunities at CNFA, including our internships in New Business Development, Operations and Compliance, Global Program Support,  Communications & Marketing and the Farmer-to-Farmer Program, which are posted a few months before each rotation starts. You can submit your internship application through our online recruitment tool by selecting the position you are interested in and then clicking "Apply." Please indicate both term (spring, summer or fall) and internship for which you are applying. Cover letter, resume and writing sample (no more than three pages) should be uploaded on the online application form. One letter of recommendation should be submitted directly to CNFA by mail, fax or email to the contact below, with "Internship Recommendation for" as the subject. Note: Your application is not complete without all four required documents and we can not consider incomplete applications. 

CNFA
Internship Coordinator
1828 L St. NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: +1-202-296-3920
Fax: +1-202-296-3948
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it