The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. We accomplish our mission by providing objective and reliable information and analysis to the Congress, to federal agencies, and to the public, and recommending improvements, when appropriate, on a wide variety of issues to make government work better.
This vacancy is for Summer positions in GAO's Innovation Lab with the anticipated start dates beginning in May 2026.
Summary
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress. We accomplish our mission by providing objective and reliable information and analysis to the Congress, to federal agencies, and to the public, and recommending improvements, when appropriate, on a wide variety of issues to make government work better.
This vacancy is for Summer positions in GAO's Innovation Lab with the anticipated start dates beginning in May 2026.
GAO's Innovation Lab uses data science and technology to enhance GAO's oversight capabilities and internal operations. The Innovation Lab is a part of GAO's Science Technology Assessment and Analytics (STAA) mission team. The Lab offers GAO a way to navigate through complex, ambiguous, and unprecedented challenges. It is deliberately de-coupled from GAO's on-going audit work in order to create an experimentation and exploration-focused atmosphere.
As a GAO intern, you will assist Innovation Lab teams in developing tools related to oversight of federal programs or enhancement of GAO internal operations; in planning and scoping the development of these tools; in collecting and analyzing appropriate data; and in presenting information (including developmental prototypes) both orally and in writing to diverse audiences.
Specific duties includes:
- Completes well-defined assignments spanning functional areas designed to provide a broad experience in mathematics, data science, computer science, or statistics.
- Coordinates with higher-level professional staff, and receives on-the- job instruction/training. Participates in well-defined portions of the lifecycle of a data science prototype or analysis.
- Present information and prototypes in meetings with GAO and agency officials, as part of the team working on the project.
- Learn and use appropriate tools for assignments. Potential tools could include R, python, or cloud-based commercial services.
-Performs other duties as assigned.
Selective Service registration if you are a male born after Dec. 31, 1959. Visit http://www.sss.gov.
You will be subject to a background investigation/ suitability determination.
Student must work a minimum of 400 hours, not to exceed a total of 640 hours.
You must be currently enrolled and good standing in an accredited degree program throughout the duration of the internship.
Qualifications
All qualification requirements must be met by the start of the internship.
To qualify for the GS-7 level you MUST be enrolled in a graduate or equivalent degree seeking program majoring in: Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science or another field directly related to the position; AND meet one of the following criteria:
You must have completed between 18 to 35 semester hours or 27 to 53 quarter hours of graduate level education; OR
You must possess a Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (defined below).
Superior Academic Achievement: Superior academic achievement (SAA) recognizes individuals who have achieved superior academic standing. S.A.A. is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade-point average (G.P.A.) - Applicants must have a grade-point average of: a 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
To qualify for the GS-9 level you MUST be enrolled in a graduate or equivalent degree seeking program majoring in: Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science, Data Science or field directly related to the position; AND meet one of the following criteria:
You must have completed 36 or more semester hours or 54 or more quarter hours of graduate level education; OR
You must possess a Master's Degree or equivalent Graduate Degree.
NOTE: You must be a current student enrolled in a graduate program seeking a degree from an accredited educational institution on a full or half-time basis. If at any point during the internship (and for any reason) your status as a student changes to that of a non-student, your internship will be terminated.
Education
All applicants must submit their academic transcripts in order to be eligible. The transcripts may be unofficial or official and must show your status as a student, as well as support your educational claim.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog
Additional information
Starting on September 27, 2025, federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan. USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying to a job.
This position is not in the bargaining unit.
This position does not have promotion potential.
The anticipated start date is May 2026. The work schedule will be Full-time, 40 hours per week.
Appointments for student intern positions are non-permanent and generally last from 10 to 16 weeks. Student interns may have an opportunity for a permanent or term position based on a successful intern experience (completion of a minimum of 400 hours of work, not to exceed a total of 640 hours) and successful completion of degree requirements. The ability to convert to a permanent or term appointment with a minimum 400 hours of work experience is contingent upon budgetary conditions and staffing needs at the time of eligibility.
Pay will be set consistent with the hourly rate for the location the position is filled in:
Washington, DC - GS-7 $27.66; GS-9 $33.84
Applicants who are selected for this position will be required to provide an official transcript on the day of your orientation or within 3 business days after orientation. This transcript must show that you meet the education requirements for the GS-7 or GS-9 grade level, and that you are currently enrolled through at least August 2026. Failure to meet the requirements or provide the transcript will result in termination of your internship.
Based on the staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement. You may be required to file a financial disclosure report. Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO. Selectees will be required to complete questions contained on the Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) at the time a tentative job offer is made. If selected, at the time of appointment, selectees will be required to update the OF-306.GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees (and interns) with disabilities. To request an accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodations@gao.gov.The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This position is ineligible for benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The questionnaire will assess your qualifications for the job. If you meet all of the qualification requirements, your application will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. All applicants will be rated based on their responses to the assessment questions and the essay question. Please make sure that your responses to the assessment questions are supported in your resume. Follow all instructions carefully as incomplete answers, errors, or omissions may affect your rating. Your rating will be invalid if you fail to include a narrative reply to any assessment question(s) that requires further explanation or your reply is "see resume. "Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): All applicants will be rated based on their response to the essay questions, in conjunction with the following competencies:
Computer Skills
Oral Communication
Self-Management
Teamwork
Technical Competence
You may also be asked to participate in a data analysis and presentation as part of the evaluation process.
Veterans' preference applies to this vacancy. The Category Rating process does not add veterans' preference points or apply the "rule of three" but protects the rights of Veterans by placing them ahead of non-preference eligible applicants within each quality category. For more information regarding veterans' preference please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/. It is important that you do not overstate or understate your level of experience and capability. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service. To preview the assessment, click here: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12865726
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This position is ineligible for benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional). Your resume must show the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment.
What is required in the resume?
Resumes submitted for federal jobs are required to have:
Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
Relevant work experience-Job experience should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how your previous work experience relates to and helps you meet the required qualifications in the GAO job announcement to which you are applying.
Education, certifications or licensures-If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure you include the required information on the resume.
All applicants must submit college or university undergraduate transcripts (official or unofficial) that support the semester/quarters number of hours completed and/or degree conferred.
Current proof of enrollment (i.e., transcript showing coursework through Spring 2026, copy of registered courses for Spring 2026 or Summer 20256 OR a letter from school registrar's office confirming enrollment status for the duration of the internship). Note, a letter of acceptance does not qualify as proof of enrollment. Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Government Accountability Office
Human Capital Office
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20548
US
Next steps
Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. Applicants who are determined to be "best-qualified" may be contacted for an interview.
GAO may contact applicants to determine the most appropriate method for conducting the virtual interview. If you do not meet the key requirements, basic qualifications or fail to submit all required application materials, your application will not be considered.
You can check the status of your application at any time through your personal USAJOBS account.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
To apply for this position, you must submit a complete Application Package which includes: Resume showing relevant experience (cover letter optional). Your resume must show the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment.
What is required in the resume?
Resumes submitted for federal jobs are required to have:
Contact Information-your name and the best way to contact you.
Relevant work experience-Job experience should include employer name, job title, start and end dates (month/year), the number of hours worked per week and descriptions that explain how your previous work experience relates to and helps you meet the required qualifications in the GAO job announcement to which you are applying.
Education, certifications or licensures-If the job announcement requires any education, certifications or licensures, make sure you include the required information on the resume.
All applicants must submit college or university undergraduate transcripts (official or unofficial) that support the semester/quarters number of hours completed and/or degree conferred.
Current proof of enrollment (i.e., transcript showing coursework through Spring 2026, copy of registered courses for Spring 2026 or Summer 20256 OR a letter from school registrar's office confirming enrollment status for the duration of the internship). Note, a letter of acceptance does not qualify as proof of enrollment. Veterans' Preference documentation, if applicable (e.g., DD-214 Member Copy 4 showing type of discharge/character of service, SF-15 Form and related documentation, VA letter, etc.)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.
- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.
- Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
Government Accountability Office
Human Capital Office
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20548
US
Next steps
Your application will be evaluated by the Human Resources Office to determine your eligibility for the position. Applicants who are determined to be "best-qualified" may be contacted for an interview.
GAO may contact applicants to determine the most appropriate method for conducting the virtual interview. If you do not meet the key requirements, basic qualifications or fail to submit all required application materials, your application will not be considered.
You can check the status of your application at any time through your personal USAJOBS account.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
