The National Book Foundation’s (NBF) Internship Program offers current undergraduate and graduate students exposure to the world of literary arts nonprofits. Over the course of a semester (or a summer term), interns complete meaningful work for NBF supporting the National Book Awards, educational and public programming, communications & social media efforts, and non-profit operations and administration. Every intern receives mentorship and experience necessary to progress in the arts or publishing industry.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is someone who is a responsible self-starter and is organized, communicative, detail-oriented, proactive, and deadline-conscious, with a demonstrated ability to balance overlapping project timelines. Excellent oral and written communication skills required and having a passion for reading and literature is a must.

To be eligible, interns must be currently enrolled full or part time at a college or university for the duration of their internship and based in the NYC area in order to be able to work in the office a few days a week.

Location

NBF internships take place in a hybrid work setting, with interns maintaining a regular remote schedule while also coming into the offices at 90 Broad Street, Suite 604, New York, New York or attending in-person events on a semi-regular, as needed basis.

School Credit

NBF works with university partners so that students earn credit for their internship experience. Internships are open to students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate course of study.

Compensation

For students who do not receive funding through their university, the NBF offers a $3,570 internship stipend.

Seasonal Calendar and Upcoming Application Deadlines

NBF internships operate on a seasonal calendar, with a total time commitment of approximately 250 hours expected. Application deadlines differ for each term:

Spring Internships: January – April, 2 full days / 16 hours per week for 15 weeks
Applications accepted October 1-November 1

Summer Internships: (late) May – August, 3 full days / 24 hours per week for 10 weeks
Applications accepted Feb 15-March 15

How To Apply for an NBF Internship

Send your resume and cover letter to internships@nationalbook.org with the subject line “Internship Application for FULL NAME” as well as the season you are applying for. In the body of your email, please indicate where you are enrolled as a student and how you learned of this opportunity.

In the cover letter, be sure to include: your relationship to books and reading, why you are interested in interning for NBF, and skills and experiences you would bring to the internship. Please note that interns must be current students based in New York City to be eligible for this internship.

Prospective interns are strongly encouraged to seek course credit and/or funding, and priority will be given to students who are able to arrange such support.  

NBF strives to build an inclusive culture that respects diverse perspectives in all our work, and acknowledges the historically exclusionary nature of this field. To further such efforts, it is strongly encouraged (though not required) for applicants to fill out the National Book Foundation Intern Candidate Demographic Survey. Please note that this survey is not confidential. Answers will be shared only with members of the hiring committee and will be permanently deleted after each hiring round.

The National Book Foundation is committed to inclusivity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, parental status, military service, or disability.

For more information on applying, see Application Instructions & Deadlines.

About the National Book Foundation

The mission of the National Book Foundation (NBF), presenter of the National Book Awards, is to celebrate the best literature in America, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in American culture. The Foundation approaches this work from three programmatic angles: Awards & Honors, recognizing exceptional authors, literature, and literary programs; Education & Access initiatives, helping young and adult readers develop a lifelong passion for books; and Public Programs, bringing acclaimed authors to communities nationwide to engage in conversations about books and the power of literature as a tool for understanding our world, cultivating meaningful discourse around the issues of our age.

About Success Won’t Wait

Founded in 2002, Success Won’t Wait is a not-for-profit literacy organization based in Wilmington, Delaware. Want to learn more about Success Won’t Wait’s literacy projects, donate books, or volunteer your time? Click on the About Us tab above.

Read now, because success won’t wait!