The Institute’s Young Scholars Program provides exceptional recent college graduates with their first professional opportunity in the world of foreign policy as research assistants to Institute scholars. This select group is chosen from an international pool of candidates who have a background in Middle East affairs and facility with one or more regional languages. Many research assistants have previous internship experience in foreign policy in Washington, DC, or have studied in the Middle East. The Institute is more selective in choosing its Young Scholars than are many top universities in their admissions policies.
Young Scholars contribute meaningfully to Institute research and arrange off-the-record meetings on the Middle East peace process and other issues that often have direct policy impact. This extraordinary exposure to policy and policymakers enables them to pursue graduate-level training or to enter the workforce directly.