The Koch Associate Program (KAP) is a career accelerator for early to mid-career professionals with a drive to tackle our country’s most pressing in more effective, principled ways. KAP equips associates with the tools, mindsets, and community to succeed as social entrepreneurs—individuals excited to find new and better ways to break barriers and eliminate injustice. Associates spend one day each week engaging in experiential learning with Stand Together Fellowships and work at one of our many partner organizations the rest of the week. Our curriculum is designed to supercharge your development and equip you for long-term success as you seek to have an impact on the problems that prevent people from realizing their potential.  
The Cato Institute seeks a Koch Associates Program (KAP) fellow for a full-time Research Associate (RA) position with the Institute’s Defense and Foreign Policy department. Applicants for the RA position should have experience studying or working in U.S. foreign policy and/or U.S. military force posture and strategy.The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization—a think tank—dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Its scholars and analysts conduct independent, nonpartisan research on a wide range of policy issues. In the defense and foreign policy fields, Cato scholars promote a grand strategy of restraint for the United States, as befits an insular maritime republic.Cato’s Defense and Foreign Policy department has long been a leading voice among Washington think tanks calling for a grand strategy of restraint. The RA is expected to provide research assistance to Cato’s defense and foreign policy scholars. 
ResponsibilitiesCato Institute research associates support the research needs of Cato policy staff members. RAs may have some opportunities to produce their own writing in the form of Cato Institute blog posts and co-authored op-eds, at their supervisor’s discretion, but for the most part they will be expected to play a support role.   Ideally, the RA role allows an aspiring analyst to hone his or her abilities. Strong RA applicants will have a good sense of the policy work they want to develop expertise in and a desire to grow into an analyst role. Additionally, RAs are expected to provide some logistical and programmatic support to Cato Defense and Foreign Policy staff. The ideal Research Associate applicant will:Have demonstrated knowledge of relevant policy areas.Have strong writing, editing, and communication skills.Have experience providing research support.Collaborate with other members of the Cato Defense and Foreign Policy team on a variety of policy research projects.Possess a Bachelor’s (required) or Master’s (preferred) degree in political science, history, or international relations.About Stand Together Fellowships Learn more about .  Stand Together Fellowships believes that diversity in experiences, perspectives, knowledge and ideas fuels creativity, broadens knowledge, and helps drive success. Our admissions office treats all program participants and applicants with honesty, dignity, respect and sensitivity. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of color, race, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.