Are you concerned about climate change & want to make a difference? Would you like to gain work experience in the climate justice field?
Apply for a Climate Justice Internship & get paid to do the work you care about!
SFSU Climate HQ’s Climate Justice Internship Program places 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 professionals. We expect to match 2-5 students at each organization.
Deadline for Submission
October 10, 2025
Dates of Internship Work
January to May 2026
Find Out More
Students who would like to learn more are encouraged to attend an information session (beginning Sept 2025) and/or send an email to climatehq.internships@sfsu.edu
Stipend Amount
Up to $3000, spread across the semester
Student Eligibility
- Undergraduates from any major at SFSU can apply
- 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
- By the deadline, submit the following through our survey (link coming soon):
- Names and email addresses for 2 academic or professional references. References may be contacted after your application is submitted.
- 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
- Names and email addresses for 2 academic or professional references. References may be contacted after your application is submitted.
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 2 references and asks your preferences about which organizations and projects you are most interested in working with in Spring 2026. Possible organizations/projects are listed here (link coming soon).
- 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.
- What does climate justice mean to you? (For example, how has climate disruption/climate change informed or impacted your life?)
- What personal or professional goals would participation in SFSU’s Climate Justice Internship Program help you achieve?
- Why do you want to become an intern working in an organization that advances climate justice?
- 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
- September, 2025 (exact dates TBD): Information sessions held
- October 10, 2025: 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)