Looking to turn your passion for the planet into a career? As environmental roles continue to outpace average job growth, landing a specialized internship is the best way to gain a competitive edge.
Whether you’re an environmental science major or a communications student looking to make an impact, these environmental internships for 2026 offer hands-on experience in sustainability, legal advocacy, and wildlife conservation. Start your journey toward a green career with these vetted internships.
Many of these internship opportunities are reviewed on a rolling basis, so it is always a good idea to submit your application early each year.
Top Environmental Science & Sustainability Internships (2026 Deadlines)
Paid Environmental Internships and Fellowships
Japan Fisheries and Oceans Fellowship - PAID
Deadline: January 31, 2026 A hybrid internship opportunity in Austin, TX, Boulder, CO, Boston, MA, New York, NY, Raleigh, NC, San Francisco, CA or Washington D.C. Intern supervisor is based in Portland, Oregon, with other team members based in Tokyo, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara. The Japan Fisheries and Oceans Fellowship is open to undergraduate and graduate students at Stanford University. Interns will help advance Japan’s position as a global leader in sustainable, climate-resilient fisheries by assisting in research, policy development, stakeholder engagement, and communications to modernize the fisheries management framework. Projects will likely include conducting background research on fisheries management systems in Japan and comparable countries (e.g., TAC/IQ frameworks in Norway, the U.S., or Korea); compiling summaries on climate adaptation, quota systems, small-scale fisheries management best practices, or monitoring technologies; supporting workshops and exchanges; updating our website and social media; and drafting memos to support our engagement and advocacy efforts.Growing Gardens Environmental Education Internship-PAID
Deadline: Rolling basis Located in Boulder, CO. This role is perfect for those who love teaching youth and working outdoors. The Growing Gardens Environmental Education Internship is available to students who are interested in environmental education. To be considered for this internship, you should have experience teaching youth, be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions, be self-motivated, and be able to serve as a role model for youth. As an intern, you will teach a wide variety of engaging hands-on activities about organic gardening practices, the garden as a source of food, the importance of pollinators and visiting our honeybee hives, building healthy soil by exploring our vermicomposting system, and more. Interns are responsible for teaching independently and as part of a team, gaining valuable experience for future teaching in Environmental Education.Voluntary Carbon Pricing Fellowship - PAID
Deadline: Rolling basis A hybrid internship opportunity in Austin, TX, Boulder, CO, Boston, MA, New York, NY, Raleigh, NC, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, D.C. The intern supervisor is based in Portland, Oregon, with other team members based in Tokyo, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara. The Voluntary Carbon Pricing Fellowship is open to undergraduate and graduate students at Stanford University. Interns will support EDF’s work around carbon pricing and carbon markets, particularly the voluntary carbon market. The intern will provide analytical and operational support to ongoing projects, including the formation of EDF’s strategic goals and EDF’s participation in external initiatives related to carbon pricing. The intern will produce analysis and written outputs for both internal and external audiences.Tesla Environment, Health, and Safety Internship-PAID
Deadline: January 31, 2026 Designed for students interested in global sustainability management, compliance, and corporate reporting. The Tesla Environment, Health, and Safety Internship is available to students pursuing a degree in public policy, sustainability, environmental management, communications, or business. To be considered for this role, you should possess strong communication, organizational, analytical, and project management skills. Previous experience or courses related to sustainability and/or environmental impact are preferred, with knowledge regarding corporate sustainability and the regulatory landscape. As an intern, you will support Tesla’s global sustainability team and will play a key role in supporting strategy on sustainability management, compliance, and reporting; driving and monitoring progress on defined goals; and communicating Tesla’s accomplishments to internal and external stakeholders.Sandia National Laboratories Internship-PAID
Deadline: Rolling basis Research and engineering opportunities in New Mexico and California for students with a 3.0+ GPA. The Sandia National Laboratories Internship is available to full-time high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Internships are offered in cybersecurity, energy security, engineering design, software development, research and development, sciences, and related fields. You must be at least 16 years old and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be considered for an internship. Some positions may require U.S. citizenship. As an intern, you will have opportunities to work on challenging projects, receive research mentoring from top scientists and engineers, and have access to training and practical work experience using state-of-the-art equipment and instruments. Internships are offered in Sandia, NM, and Livermore, CA, as summer-only or year-round/co-op experiences.Livestock Methane Reduction Fellowship - PAID
Deadline: Rolling basis A hybrid internship opportunity in Austin, TX, Boulder, CO, Boston, MA, New York, NY, Raleigh, NC, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, D.C. The intern supervisor is based in Portland, Oregon, with other team members based in Tokyo, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara. The Livestock Methane Reduction Fellowship is open to undergraduate and graduate students at Stanford University. Interns will investigate available information on the cost of installing, maintaining, and operating a manure lagoon cover with biogas collection, as well as a cover on the digestate storage structure. Captured biogas can provide energy for on-farm use. The digestate cover will reduce ammonia emissions and associated public health risks. The economic analysis will include the cost versus revenue from on-farm energy and the sale of GHG credits for avoided methane emissions. The intern will report to a lead senior scientist and work closely with other members on the Livestock Methane, Climate Smart Agriculture, and +Business teams.Agriculture and Water Communications Fellowship - PAID
Deadline: Rolling basis A hybrid internship opportunity in Austin, TX, Boulder, CO, Boston, MA, New York, NY, Raleigh, NC, San Francisco, CA, or Washington, D.C. The intern supervisor is based in Portland, Oregon, with other team members based in Tokyo, San Francisco, and Santa Barbara. The Agriculture and Water Communications Fellowship is open to undergraduate and graduate students at Stanford University. Interns will report to the Sr. Communications Director for the EDF Water Program and work closely with members of the CRWS and Climate-Smart Agriculture programs on a variety of communications products and strategies. Potential deliverables include blog and social media strategy and production; experience may also include infographic development, website and video editing, and marketing collateral creation.Remote Environmental Internships
Seaside Sustainability Marine Science and Education Internship
Deadline: March 30, 2026 (For early summer cycle; varies by project) A remote opportunity focusing on marine conservation and public research. The Seaside Sustainability Marine Science and Education Internship is available to high school, college, and graduate students interested in environmental conservation, public education, and community engagement. You must be able to perform literature reviews and extensive research into a wide range of topics, be familiar with citing sources, and be able to organize and write about advanced scientific information for the general public to be considered for this internship. Preference will be given to applicants who have experience in STEM research, experience creating educational materials for children, familiarity with ArcGIS, and coursework or employment related to environmental science. As an intern, you will focus on ecological restoration, community engagement, and research that ultimately protects our waterways and coastal environments. You may create educational materials for the public, conduct research on lake restoration, and assist with plans to mitigate marine debris. This internship is offered remotely.Environmental Internships for Explorers
EPA Summer Student Placement (Green Engineering Focus)
Deadline:Rolling basis The EPA Green Engineering Internship Program is available to students who meet the prerequisites in math, computational science, and business. As an intern, you will work on efforts to incorporate green engineering into organizational decision-making processes or on EPA green engineering projects.EERE Student Volunteer Internship Program (SVIP)
Deadline: Rolling basis Direct experience in energy efficiency and renewable energy at DOE Headquarters or the Golden Field Office. The EERE Student Volunteer Internship Program (SVIP) is available to high school, college/university, and technical/vocational students who are U.S. citizens and at least 16 years of age. Selection is based on a cover letter detailing your qualifications, experience, and other background information related to the position that you are seeking, and how you believe you can benefit from the volunteer assignment. A resume listing previous employment experience, education, any affiliations/certifications, and references should also be submitted. As an intern, you will complement your academic endeavors with direct experience at EERE in energy efficiency and renewable energy, and you will also have opportunities to network with experts in the energy community at the local, national, and international levels. Internship focus areas include: advanced manufacturing, buildings, federal energy management, weatherization, intergovernmental, sustainability, geothermal, solar, wind, water, bioenergy, hydrogen and fuel cells, vehicles, business operations, financial management, communications, tech-to-market, and related areas.Coral Conservation and Restoration Internship
Deadline: July 3, 2026 (Fall/Year-round cycle) Hands-on reef restoration in the Florida Keys. Note: Diving roles require SCUBA certification. The Coral Conservation and Restoration Internship is available to junior-level and above college students aged 21 and older who are willing to become certified in CPR, First Aid, and O2 Administration. Dive internship applicants must also be a minimum Advanced Open Water SCUBA certified, have dive insurance, possess their own SCUBA equipment (with proof of regulator service within the past year, and have a minimum of 30 logged dives (15 from a boat, 5 in the ocean, 1 within the past year). As an intern, you will be introduced to the nonprofit sector of marine conservation, focusing on the restoration of coral reef ecosystems. You can expect to be challenged, mentored, and inspired while working with a dynamic team dedicated to helping you find your focus. Both entirely land and combination water-land internships are available. Interns will receive a small educational stipend to help offset living costs. This program is offered in the Florida Keys year-round.National Audubon Society Wings Internship
Deadline: Rolling basis Conservation-focused roles in science, policy, and land stewardship across various nationwide locations. The National Audubon Society WINGS Internship is available to current students and recent graduates. Paid and unpaid internships are available in education, public policy, development, science, and land stewardship. Throughout the internship, interns will gain valuable experience and help drive meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes for birds and humans. Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Conservation Science Internship Deadline: Rolling basis The Conservation Science Internship is located in Kempton, Pennsylvania and is open for students interested in raptor and bird conservation. Internship duties will include learning basic conservation science and education techniques, monitoring wildlife, and working with volunteers, visitors, and school groups. Let’s make the search a little easier. If these internships caught your eye, you should also take a look at these top 2026 environmental scholarships. We also recommend creating your Fastweb profile. Once you add your major and interests, the site does the heavy lifting for you by matching you with verified opportunities that fit your specific goals. It’s a huge time-saver when you're already busy with classes.You Might Also Like
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