IRC Hiring Fall 2026 Legal Intern in the USA – International Rescue Committee Internship

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) Fall 2026 Internship offers students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain practical experience supporting refugees and immigrant communities in the United States. The Silver Spring, Maryland internship requires at least 15 hours per week, includes in-person work, and runs for 3–4 months. The Fall 2026 application deadline is August 21, 2026.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is offering Fall 2026 internship opportunities in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA, for current and recently graduated undergraduate or graduate students seeking practical professional experience while contributing to work supporting refugees and immigrant populations.

The internship programme is designed to provide participants with opportunities to apply their academic and professional skills in a real-world setting while contributing to the IRC’s mission.

The source provided identifies the opportunity as a Fall 2026 Intern rather than supplying a separate detailed job description specifically for a Legal Intern. Candidates interested in a legal-focused placement should therefore review the current IRC internship vacancies to identify the applicable legal or related position before applying.

The internships have a duration of approximately 3–4 months and require a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week. Interns must also be able to work in person at least one day per week.

The IRC states that its internships are available to current and recently graduated undergraduate or graduate students. Non-students may also be able to participate through volunteer opportunities.

Tasks

The supplied IRC announcement provides general internship requirements rather than a specific list of legal internship duties.

Interns are expected to apply their skills in a professional environment and contribute to the organisation’s work with refugees and immigrant communities.

For candidates applying to a legal-focused internship, the specific duties should be confirmed in the individual vacancy posted through the IRC careers platform rather than assumed from the general Fall 2026 internship announcement.

The organisation’s general requirements indicate that successful interns should be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, communicate well with colleagues and supervisors, pay close attention to detail and work both independently and as part of a team.

These characteristics are particularly relevant to internship assignments that involve handling sensitive information, supporting programme teams or completing administrative and professional tasks.

Qualifications

Education and Certification

IRC Fall 2026 internships are open to current and recently graduated undergraduate or graduate students.

The supplied announcement does not specify a particular degree for the general internship programme.

Because the user is targeting a Legal Intern opportunity, applicants should verify the individual legal internship posting for any additional requirements relating to law studies, legal training or other academic qualifications.

Experience

Previous professional experience is not identified as a mandatory requirement in the supplied general internship announcement.

The IRC is seeking candidates who are passionate about working with refugees and other immigrant populations and who demonstrate strong communication, organisation and teamwork skills.

Candidates should also demonstrate attention to detail and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced setting.

Additional Information

Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Opportunity: Fall 2026 Internship
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
Duration: 3–4 months
Minimum commitment: 15 hours per week
Work arrangement: In person at least one day per week
Internship status: Unpaid
Potential support: Fall 2026 interns may be eligible for $15 per day per diem reimbursement to offset food and travel expenses.

The IRC states that Fall 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship by attending an in-person orientation on September 8, 2026, from 9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The organisation offers internships during three main periods:

Spring: January–May
Summer: June–August
Fall: September–December

Internships are generally posted two to three months before the expected start date.

Application Requirements

A completed application should include:

Resume: Applicants should submit an updated resume through the relevant internship vacancy.

Cover letter: The cover letter should identify the desired position, availability and motivation for applying. IRC specifically asks candidates to state their weekly availability, including the number of hours they can work and the days and times they are available.

Applicants should tailor their cover letter to the particular internship position rather than submitting a generic application.

Application Deadline

The IRC announcement contains two dates that should be distinguished carefully.

The page indicates that the Fall 2026 Intern opportunity is available until August 31, 2026, but the application instructions state explicitly that:

Fall 2026 internship applications are due by August 21, 2026.

For applicants, the stated August 21, 2026 deadline should be treated as the application deadline in the supplied announcement.

Background Checks

To protect its clients, the IRC requires selected applicants to complete background checks.

The supplied announcement states that selected applicants are asked to make a $30 donation to help cover the associated costs, with instructions provided after selection.

Candidates should carefully distinguish this post-selection requirement from any request for payment during the application stage.

Scholarship Support

Fall 2026 internships at the IRC’s Silver Spring location are unpaid. The organisation notes that interns may be eligible for a $15/day per diem reimbursement for food and travel costs.

Students looking for additional financial support are advised by the IRC to contact their university about scholarship options or contact the IRC Silver Spring Community Engagement Coordinator.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply through the official IRC careers platform.

The organisation directs applicants to its current internship openings and advises candidates who cannot immediately locate the relevant posting to visit the IRC careers page and narrow the search to USA – Silver Spring, MD.

Because the supplied page is a general Fall 2026 internship announcement and does not contain the detailed responsibilities of a specific Legal Intern vacancy, applicants should confirm the exact legal position, responsibilities and qualifications in the individual job posting before submitting an application.

Final Thoughts

The IRC Fall 2026 Internship is an opportunity for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience with an international humanitarian organisation while supporting work involving refugees and immigrant communities.

The programme requires at least 15 hours per week, includes a minimum of one in-person workday each week and lasts approximately 3–4 months. Internships at the Silver Spring location are unpaid, although eligible Fall 2026 interns may receive a $15-per-day per diem reimbursement toward food and travel.

For the opportunity described in the supplied source, applicants should prioritize the August 21, 2026 application deadline and prepare both a resume and tailored cover letter detailing their availability and motivation.

Candidates specifically seeking a Legal Intern position should confirm that role through the IRC’s official careers portal because the supplied announcement does not provide a separate legal job description or legal-specific eligibility criteria.

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