Research Intern – Autism & Disability Employment Landscape

Autism Speaks is seeking a motivated, detail‑oriented Research Intern to support a summer project mapping the national landscape of nonprofit and for‑profit organizations focused on autism and disability employment.  
This is a 10–12-week remote program and students must be eligible for academic credit. This is an opportunity for an individual to gain valuable hands‑on experience with applied research, strategic analysis, and nonprofit innovation. 

This individual will work from home and can be located anywhere in the country.
Key Responsibilities 
Identify nonprofit and for‑profit organizations nationwide focused on autism and disability employment 

Collect and summarize publicly available information, including mission, geographic reach, service models, and employment partners 

Document organizational scale where available (e.g., revenue, staff size, operational assets) 

Capture information on populations served and employment models 

Gather publicly reported outcomes and indicators of success 

Organize findings into a structured, searchable database 

Provide a summary of high‑level observations or trends 

Use AI‑enabled research tools to support efficiency, applying critical thinking and validating outputs against primary or authoritative sources 

Qualifications 
Currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student  

Eligible to receive academic credit  

Commitment to a schedule of 20 – 24 hours per week  

Experience using AI‑enabled research tools  

Strong attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to take initiative 

Strong research and analytical skills 

Comfortable with spreadsheets, databases, and digital tools 

Interest in disability employment or workforce innovation is preferred  

Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications  

Why This Internship 
Exposure to national‑level strategy and field‑building work 

Meaningful contribution to autism employment initiatives 

Interaction with senior leaders 

A tangible work product that may inform future partnerships and programs  

You are responsible for protecting the confidentiality, integrity and availability of all Autism Speaks Inc. data and information to which you have access.