Thai American National Internship Program

APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2027 TANIP PROGRAM OPEN NOVEMBER 1

Thai American National Internship Program (TANIP)

The Thai American National Internship Program (TANIP) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Thai-American students to gain a firsthand look at the American government and political system in Washington DC, and to reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening the US-Thai relationship.

The US-Asia Institute, in consultation with The Royal Thai Embassy, initiated TANIP in 2015 to provide Thai-American students with the opportunity to intern/shadow in various offices of elected officials, public agencies, or private organizations at the national level. This opportunity provides a stronger understanding of how government operates by experiencing it from an insider’s perspective.

The program prepares young leaders to participate in the political/legislative arenas and is dedicated to developing the skills of individuals who are interested in public service and civic engagement. Not only is this an invaluable professional experience, but it also benefits the Thai-American community by increasing the interest of this American community in American politics, government, and public service in the future.

Understanding and participating in the political process and engaging with government at all levels is crucial to ensuring that a community’s needs and concerns are heard and addressed. The Thai community in the United States should be more civically engaged and represented at the municipal, state, and national levels.

You can download the one-pager detailing information about TANIP HERE or by visiting the Royal Thai Embassy HERE.

The 2027 program is organized to provide the opportunity for Thai-American students and young graduates to come to Washington D.C. from 1 June – 13 August, 2027 (11 weeks) to get hands-on experience in the policymaking process and spend 2 weeks at the Royal Thai Embassy, gaining hands-on experience on Thai-US relations.

To read statements from our past TANIP cohort, see our TANIP alumni page HERE.

Applications for Summer 2027 Open november 1

Candidate Qualifications:
- Age 18-25 years old
- Enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in good academic standing OR recently completed degree
- U.S. citizenship
- Leadership ability and good interpersonal skills
- Record of community service or interest therein
- Written and spoken fluency in English
- Thai descent
- Must be able to relocate to Washington, DC for the full duration of the program
Required Documents:
- Resume (click HERE for resume sample)
- Statement of Intent and Impact
- A copy of your most recent transcript
- A copy of ID, passport, or another official document as proof of US citizenship
- A copy of parent’s ID, passport, or other official documents as proof of Thai ancestry
- Letter(s) of recommendation - one required & an optional second
Sunday, November 1, 2026: Application released.
Thursday, December 31, 2026: Deadline for Application. If you have questions about the current application cycle, please reach out to anna.bunn@usasiainstitute.org.
On a rolling basis: Candidates selected and contacted for interviews.
Week of January 15, 2027: Acceptance of TANIP participants.
February - May 2026: The US-Asia Institute works with selected fellows to place them in internships at prominent organizations in DC and pair with mentors.
June 1 - June 4, 2027: Week-long orientation with fellow participants for a series of meetings with successful DC professionals, professional development workshops, international relations experts, etc.
June 7 – July 30, 2027: Internship at host organization.
August 2 - 13, 2027: Internship at the Royal Thai Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Participants are responsible for all expenses related to the program, which include travel to Washington, D.C. and return to home location; housing (housing recommendations available through the US-Asia Institute or on own); food; ground transportation throughout the program; and cultural and spending money.
The Thai American Youth Political Leadership Awards sponsored by the Royal Thai Embassy will be given to participants to help cover expenses for the program. Interested participants must indicate their needs for financial assistance in the application form.
All participants must, after acceptance into the program, show proof of health insurance and sign a liability waiver.