SFSU Climate Justice Internship Program

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Are you concerned about climate change & want to make a difference? 

Would you like to gain experience working for climate justice?

 

Get paid to do work you care about!

 

SFSU Climate HQ’s Climate Justice Internship Program places 15 undergraduate students in a semester-long paid internship with partner organizations committed to climate justice. Selected students will be matched with an organization to complete a project that advances that organization’s work and gives students the opportunity to learn from seasoned organizers, activists, advocates, and other professionals. We expect to match 2-5 students at each organization. Currently, students apply in fall semesters for internships in spring semesters.

Important Information

SPRING 2026 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

(Info about Spring 2027 Internship program coming soon)

 

Deadline for Submission

October 10, 2025 (11:59pm)

Dates of Internship Work

January to May 2026

Stipend Amount

Up to $3000, spread across the semester

 

Eligibility and Requirements

 

Student Eligibility

  • Undergraduates from any major at SFSU can apply, regardless of immigration or visa status
  • Interns must be full-time students enrolled at SFSU during their Spring 2026 semester
  • No citizenship requirements

 

Requirements & Expectations

  • Selected interns must: 
    • Enroll in and pass a 1-unit seminar, BIOL 681: Climate Action for Real World Change in Spring 2026. This course provides support, community, and professional development during your internship.
    • Work an average of 10 hours per week for 15 weeks (150 hours total) with the matched organization.
    • Participate in a showcase during Earth Week.

 

How to Apply

 

Before the deadline, submit the following through our application survey (link below):

  • Name and email address for 1* academic or professional reference. References may be contacted after your application is submitted. (*Update on 9/30/25: A second reference is now optional)
    • Pro-tip! be sure you ask their permission beforehand
  • Answers to the Application Questions, below
    • Pro-tip! we recommend typing out answers to the 4 essay questions ahead of time and then pasting them into the survey link when you go to submit

 

ACCESS THE APPLICATION SURVEY & SUBMIT IT BY CLICKING HERE

 

Application Questions

The application consists of 3 parts and will be available in full by September 2025. 

  • PART 1: Student Information and Eligibility Questions
    • This section asks for your name, student ID number, email address, major, expected graduation date; to confirm your eligibility; to note your availability for interviews; and to tell us how you heard about this program.

 

  • PART 2: References & Organization/Project Preferences
    • This section asks for names/emails for your 1* reference and asks your preferences about which organizations and projects you are most interested in working with in Spring 2026. Click here to view the possible organizations and projects.
      • (*Update on 9/30/25: A second reference is now optional)

 

  • PART 3: Essay Questions
    • This section asks you to answer 4 short essay questions (150-250 words each) so we can learn more about you, your life, and your journey. Feel free to share as much about your personal lived experience as you want.
    • Questions:
      • 1. What does climate justice mean to you? (For example, how has climate disruption/climate change informed or impacted your life?)?
      • 2. What personal or professional goals would participation in SFSU’s Climate Justice Internship Program help you achieve?
      • 3. Why do you want to become an intern working in an organization that advances climate justice? 
      • 4. What skills, interests, or strengths would you bring to the internship? (ex. Do you have video editing skills, social media skills, GIS skills, etc.? Note: it’s ok if you don’t bring a particular skill set to the internship; the internship could be a chance to learn a new skill set.)

 

Timeline

 

  • Sept 2, 2025: Spring 2026 Internship Application process opens
  • September 25, 2025: Information session: 9:30-11:30am (part of Climate Certificate Open House)
  • October 10, 2025 (11:59pm): Applications due
  • November, 2025: Selected students notified & matched with organization
  • November 2025-January 2026: Selected students work with organization to co-develop work plans
  • January-May 2026: Internships run (1 week of Spring Break with no work requirement)

 

Find Out More

 

Students who would like to learn more can do any of these 3 things: 

  1. Send an email to climatehq.internships@sfsu.edu

  2. Attend an information session

   3. Drop into the office hours of the co-leads of the program (office hours start week of Sept. 2, 2025)