15 Environmental Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 3, 2025
- 9 min read
If you want to explore a career in environmental work while still in college, an internship gives you the chance to apply what you’ve learned to hands-on situations. You might be helping a research team collect data, assisting a nonprofit with community programs, or working on policy initiatives.
An environmental internship also helps you figure out what kind of work makes sense for you. Maybe you enjoy fieldwork and long days outdoors. Maybe you’re more interested in policy or advocacy. Or you might realize you prefer lab research. By testing these options early, you’ll have a clearer idea of where to focus your studies and future career. On top of all that, an internship shows up strongly on your resume and can be a solid talking point in job interviews or graduate school applications.
To help you explore what’s possible, here are 15 environmental internships for undergraduates! If you're looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs!
15 Environmental Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; multiple deadlines
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is an eight-week experience where you work directly with startups and established companies in fields like technology, healthcare, sustainability, and finance. You’ll take on projects such as market research, machine learning, or business strategy, and receive guidance from both a company supervisor and a dedicated Ladder Coach. This dual mentorship model helps you build technical skills while also focusing on professional development. The program is highly selective and designed to help you create a strong portfolio, expand your network, and gain insight into fast-growing industries. Ladder partners with leading institutions and entrepreneurs to support your career growth and industry exposure.
Location: Virtual or in-person at a DEVELOP location
Cost/Stipend: Paid hourly stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; teams of 4–5 per project
Dates: Summer: June 2 – August 8 | Fall: September 15 – November 21
Application Deadline: Summer: January 13 – February 8 | Fall: May 5 – June 13
Eligibility: Current or recent undergraduates who will be at least 18 by the program start, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and are U.S. citizens for in-person opportunities
The NASA DEVELOP Program is a 10-week research experience where you apply Earth science to real-world challenges. Working in small interdisciplinary teams, you’ll use NASA’s Earth observation data to study issues in climate, agriculture, public health, and disaster response. Each project is done in partnership with external organizations, so your work contributes to decision-making in government, nonprofits, and industry. You’ll gain hands-on skills in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and science communication. The final deliverables include professional reports, presentations, and videos designed for real-world audiences.
Location: Mostly remote, with one week in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend (amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 24 – February 28
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited college or university who are authorized to work in the U.S.
The National Geographic Society offers paid summer internships for undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in science, conservation, and education. As an intern, you work on projects such as developing educational resources, analyzing research data, supporting community programs, or contributing to conservation-focused storytelling. Your placement depends on your background and interests, with opportunities across different departments. You also take part in events with National Geographic staff, Explorers, and educators that introduce you to science communication, conservation work, and professional pathways.
Location: Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $8,000–$9,500 stipend (based on financial need)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 weeks; start date varies by site but must begin by July 7
Application Deadline: Round 1: Mid-December – February 4 | Round 2: March 19 – April 3
Eligibility: Open to Stanford undergraduate students from any academic discipline
Stanford’s Environment and Policy Internships give you the chance to work full-time for ten weeks with nonprofit organizations or government agencies focused on sustainability and environmental policy. You’ll contribute to real projects such as climate policy research, environmental justice initiatives, water resource management, and clean energy planning. Past placements from this program have included the Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund, and local city planning departments. You work 35 to 40 hours per week and receive mentorship from environmental professionals.
Location: Carnegie Science Earth and Planets Laboratory, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 2 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a degree program
The Earth and Planetary Science Interdisciplinary Internship at Carnegie Science is a 10-week, full-time paid research program for undergraduates interested in fields like astronomy, geophysics, geochemistry, and planetary science. You’ll join a Carnegie research group and work on original projects with guidance from a dedicated mentor, gaining hands-on experience with lab techniques, data analysis, and scientific tools. The program includes weekly seminars, science communication workshops, and professional development sessions to help you prepare for graduate-level research. You’ll present your findings in a conference-style setting and have the opportunity to submit abstracts to national meetings such as AGU (American Geophysical Union) or AAS (American Astronomical Society).
Location: Various organizations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 9 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Typically closes in winter; exact date not specified
Eligibility: Stanford freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
The Earth Systems Public Service Fellowship is a nine-week, full-time summer internship that lets you apply your academic training to real environmental challenges. You’ll work with a nonprofit or government agency in the U.S., focusing on issues like sustainability, conservation, climate resilience, or environmental justice. As part of Stanford’s Cardinal Quarter initiative, the fellowship supports you in connecting Earth Systems coursework with hands-on public service. You can continue with an existing partner or find a new placement that matches your goals. The projects in the program often involve community-based research, policy development, education, or outreach.
Location: Various locations nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Paid; typically $15–$24/hr for undergraduates, with some benefits
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; highly competitive, short 1–2 week postings per role
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: Varies by internship; most summer opportunities are advertised in March, April, and May
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least half-time at an accredited college/university; must be U.S. citizens
The EPA Pathways Internships offer college students a chance to work directly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency while exploring careers in environmental science and public service. You can be placed at EPA headquarters in Washington, D.C., or in regional offices, labs, and research centers across the country. The roles in the program vary from technical positions, like environmental analysis and fieldwork, to administrative support and policy research. You’ll earn a federal salary based on your grade level and gain firsthand experience in the agency’s mission to protect human health and the environment.
Location: Remote or in-person at Edgewater, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: Paid; minimum stipend of $650 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies (approximately 30–40 per summer)
Dates: Year-round; most internships occur in the summer (10–16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Current undergraduate or master’s students, or recent graduates from undergraduate or master’s programs
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) Internships are full-time, summer research experiences that let you explore environmental science through hands-on projects and mentorship. You’ll work on an independent research project in areas like marine and estuarine ecology, molecular ecology, environmental chemistry, or terrestrial ecology, depending on your interests and placement. If you’re interested in public engagement, you can also focus on science communication, education, or participatory science. Throughout the program, you’ll attend seminars, networking events, and professional development sessions that help you build research skills and connect with scientists and peers.
Location: Various institutions across the U.S. and internationally
Cost/Stipend: Paid; stipend varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Most sites select 8–15 fellows per summer
Dates: 8–10 weeks, typically during the summer
Application Deadline: Varies by program, typically between January and March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or U.S. nationals
The National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program lets you take part in ongoing research projects at universities and research centers across the U.S. Each REU site has a theme, such as environmental science, physics, engineering, or computer science, and offers a full-time summer experience in research. You work alongside faculty mentors and senior researchers on lab experiments, fieldwork, data analysis, or computational modeling. Most programs run for 8 to 10 weeks and also include seminars, workshops, and group activities designed to build your technical skills and help you understand different academic and career paths in STEM.
Location: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, Falmouth, MA
Cost/Stipend: $700 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10–12 weeks; start date flexible between late May and mid-June
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed their junior year; preference for students studying science or engineering
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Summer Student Fellowship is a 10–12 week paid research program for undergraduates interested in ocean science and engineering. You’ll work closely with WHOI scientists and technical staff to design and carry out an independent research project in areas like marine biology, ocean chemistry, geophysics, or marine policy. The program includes professional development activities such as seminars, a speaker series, and an ocean sampling cruise aboard the R/V Tioga, where you’ll learn how to use oceanographic instruments and collect field data. You’ll present your findings in both written and oral formats, with feedback from mentors and graduate students in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program.
Location: Various locations within the National Park System
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. Check details here
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who will be at least 18 years old at the start of the program
The Scientists in Parks (SIP) Program is a hands-on, full-time opportunity that places you in U.S. national parks to work on real conservation and environmental research projects. Over 12 to 16 weeks, you might monitor sea turtle nests in Texas, survey cactus populations in Arizona, restore coral reefs in American Samoa, or support climate resilience planning in Alaska. Depending on your placement, you’ll focus on field ecology, geoscience, environmental education, or data analysis. You work closely with National Park Service staff and receive mentorship throughout your project. The program includes virtual training and may offer chances to present your work at professional conferences.
Location: Remote or at various EDF offices across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 100 students per summer cohort
Dates: 10–12 weeks; offered in fall, spring, and summer cycles
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; multiple deadlines throughout the year
Eligibility: Current or recent undergraduate and graduate students
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Internship Program is a paid, project-based opportunity for current and recent undergraduate and graduate students who want to work on real environmental solutions. You’ll join a team working in areas such as climate policy, environmental law, clean energy, sustainable agriculture, or environmental economics, depending on your placement. Each intern is assigned a specific project with clear goals, allowing you to contribute meaningfully to EDF’s mission. You’ll also be paired with an EDF Ambassador, a mentor who helps you navigate the organization and make the most of your experience.
Location: Various U.S. nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
Cost/Stipend: $10,000 stipend plus up to $1,500 for fellowship-related travel
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: 12 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students
The Schneider Sustainable Energy Fellowships offer a 12-week summer opportunity to work full-time at a U.S.-based nonprofit tackling energy and climate challenges. You’ll earn a $10,000 stipend, plus up to $1,500 for project-related travel, while contributing to real-world solutions in areas like energy policy, climate data analysis, and clean technology. Your work will focus on how energy resources can be harnessed to deliver reliable, equitable, and sustainable energy services. Depending on your placement, you might analyze policy impacts, model energy systems, or support community-based clean energy initiatives.
Location: Various organizations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the organization and role
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: Vary depending on the opportunity
Application Deadline: Not applicable
Eligibility: Stanford undergraduate and graduate students
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Summer Internship Program offers a full-time summer experience where you work with organizations addressing real-world challenges in energy, climate, and sustainability. Internships and research placements span sectors such as clean energy, climate policy, environmental finance, and sustainable infrastructure. Over 8 to 12 weeks, you’ll take on tasks like analyzing contracts, supporting project execution, assessing environmental risks, tracking policy and regulatory developments, or leading small-scale initiatives. You’ll work across disciplines and engage with professionals working at the intersection of science, policy, and industry.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: $18–$35 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – August 14
Application Deadline: November 30
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering or a related field
The Mott MacDonald Environmental Internship is a paid, full-time opportunity designed for students interested in sustainable engineering and environmental consulting. Over the course of the internship, you’ll work on real-world projects that may include site inspections, technical design, environmental assessments, and collaboration with clients and project teams. You’ll be mentored by experienced engineers and project managers who help you build technical skills and understand the consulting mindset: how to approach problems, communicate solutions, and deliver results in a professional setting.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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