The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

To achieve our mission of a more free, just, and equitable society, we commit to working proactively to advance the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our myriad endeavors such as the recruitment, compensation, training, and advancement of staff. The best people-serving institutions make this commitment, and we seek to be a leader in the ways that we do so and learn from others. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment and recent actions taken toward building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.

The Aspen Strategy Group (ASG), a policy program of the Aspen Institute, is a resolutely nonpartisan forum in which preeminent experts and policymakers explore the most pressing foreign policy and national security challenges facing the United States. The Strategy Group convenes annually in Aspen, Colorado in public and private settings, as well as various domestic and international locations throughout the year, to hold strategic discussions on issues that affect American interests at home and abroad. We have a variety of successful digital platforms as well.

The ASG launched the Brent Scowcroft Award Fellowship (BSAF), a paid, temporary, and full-time fellowship program, in recognition of ASG Co-Founder and Chairman Emeritus Lieutenant General Brent Scowcroft’s long-time dedication to the group, as well as his legacy of distinguished public service. Now in its 19^th year, the six-month fellowship is designed to provide the first stepping-stone for recent graduates with a keen interest in foreign policy by way of direct exposure to the types of critical, thoughtful, and bipartisan discussions that characterize the ASG’s dialogues.

This fellowship is set in a collaborative, small-team, and fast-paced environment. Scowcroft Fellows work and contribute to projects across all three pillars of our work: the Aspen Strategy Group, the Aspen Security Forum, and the Rising Leaders Program. As the ASG Policy Initiatives and Public Programs teams prepare for each meeting and program, we entrust our BSAF fellows with a high level of responsibility. Therefore, we seek candidates with the ability to work both efficiently as part of a team and independently to ensure the success of the ASG’s various activities.

Please note that while the fellowship is temporary in nature, fellows are required to work full time for the duration of the fellowship. 

Fellowship Term: February – August 2023
(Please note that the fellowship term is six months, with the possibility of an extension up to twelve months)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Under the management and supervision of the Aspen Strategy Group Fellow provide a wide range of administrative and logistical support in preparation for various meetings, namely the ASG Summer Workshop; ASG Rising Leaders Program; Aspen Security Forum; and the ASG’s track II dialogues
• Attend meeting sessions and take thoughtful, substantive notes on the discussions
• Generate conference materials and manage detailed information vital to conference planning
• Draft correspondence for communication with meeting participants and outside vendors (e.g. invitations, memos, thank you notes, summary documents, etc.)
• Conduct background research and maintain active knowledge of current foreign affairs
• Proofread and edit written materials and publications
• Assist in the writing of ASG briefings, summaries, statements, grant proposals, and reports
• Curate content for the ASG Twitter handle and the weekly newsletter

Desired Qualifications:

• An undergraduate degree is required, and a master’s degree is strongly preferred
• Meticulous attention to detail is essential
• Ability to work as a team player within a small-team environment; ability to multi-task and take initiative in problem-solving; strong work ethic, with a keen understanding of protocol
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Must be able to work under pressure, handle stress, and manage competing demands/priorities
• Proficiency with, or easy ability to learn, tools such as Wordpress, Canva, Twitter, iContact, and event registration/survey tools such as Wufoo
• Office experience, especially in events management, is preferred but not required
• Outstanding knowledge of and strong academic record in international relations, political science, economics, or a related field, along with a long-term interest in working in the field of U.S. foreign policy and/or national security is essential

Our team is located in Washington, DC and currently working in a hybrid fashion. The selected candidate will need to be located in the Washington, DC area and be able to be in person for the full term of their fellowship.

Please submit the following materials: a resume (listing at least two references’ contact information) and a cover letter.

Please note that the fellowship will commence in February 2023 and conclude at the end of August 2023. There is the possibility of a one-time term extension for a total twelve-month fellowship term.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

Individuals needing an accommodation to complete the job application can contact HRSupport@aspeninstitute.org or call (202) 736-1074.