Summer Internships

Position: Solar Energy Field Ecology Intern

Internship Description: In partnership with Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne), this project will support work for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to better understand the ecological implications of habitat-friendly solar energy developments. Argonne is looking for 1-2 field ecology interns to assist with summer surveys at solar energy sites in Minnesota. These solar energy sites have been planted with native grasses and wildflowers to provide wildlife habitat. Working with Argonne scientists, the selected intern(s) will visit up to four solar sites approximately four times over the summer and conduct observational surveys for insect pollinators along predetermined 100’ long transects. In addition, the intern(s) will assist Argonne scientists with bioacoustic monitoring to understand bird and bat communities on the solar sites. Solar sites may be up to 85 miles from the UMN campus. Applicants majoring in the biological or environmental sciences, particularly those with field ecology interests, are encouraged to apply. Work will be conducted outdoors and within solar facility arrays, offering students hands-on experience in field settings. This includes opportunties for:

• Hands-on experience at renewable energy settings
• Ecology field research and data analysis
• Collaboration with diverse teams from multiple organizations

Modality: All or mostly in-person

Office Location: Chicago, Illinois (In-person field work will be in MN, <2 hours from Twin-Cities)

More Information: anl.gov

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Sustainability Intern

Internship Description: The sustainability internship with the City of Crystal will complement the efforts of the City's new Sustainability Commission and ongoing climate action and sustainability initiatives

As of 2026, Crystal has outlined a handful of strategic sustainability action items, some of which will be underway or in the planning and development stages during the summer. These include the development of a climate action plan, work on the MPCA's GreenStep Cities plan (including community engagement) and coordinating a Sustainable Tour of Crystal (July 18th 2026).

The sustainability intern would provide support in conducting research, preparing information to present to the City Council and commissions, supporting project coordination and helping conduct outreach and engagement with community members.

Other city actions identified that the student may support include organics recycling roll-out and researching organized waste management, electric vehicle charging station development and city-wide stormwater management efforts. There will be some freedom for the sustainability intern to cater their time with the city to be most involved in ongoing initiatives that match their professional interests, though specific activities will depend on the efforts underway at the start of the internship. While the specific projects are evolving, there is a high likelihood that the intern will be engaged in work on the city's climate action planning efforts, MPCA's GreenStep Cities and coordination with the Sustainability Commission on a Sustainable Tour of Crystal.

This internship offers students hands-on exposure to municipal sustainability work, climate action planning and community engagement. Depending on the projects underway during the internship, the student may support development of the City of Crystal’s Climate Action Plan and MPCA GreenStep Cities program by conducting research, helping compile sustainability metrics and preparing materials for City Council and commission discussions. The intern may also assist with project coordination and outreach related to initiatives such as organics recycling, EV charging, stormwater management and the City’s Sustainable Tour of Crystal. Through this work, students can build practical skills in policy research, data analysis, project coordination and public communication in a real-world local government setting.

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Office Location: 4141 Douglas Dr. N. Crystal, MN 55422

More Information: crystalmn.gov

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Emissions Inventory Researcher

Internship Description: Saint Paul undertakes an annual emissions inventory, including tracking emissions from buildings, transportation, waste and other sources. Saint Paul continually strives to improve its emissions inventory accuracy by identifying yet uncounted sources and determining the level of emissions from those sources. Through research and outreach, the Emissions Inventory Researcher will gather the most complete and accurate data and identify deficiencies in its current inventory.

Through research and outreach, the Emissions Inventory Researcher will gather the most complete and accurate data and identify deficiencies in its current inventory. In addition, the intern will be invited to participate in City-wide planning and communications initiatives as interested.

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Office Location: City Hall Annex, 25 4th St, Saint Paul, MN

More Information: stpaul.gov

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Communications & Development Intern

Internship Description: The communications and development intern will support the marketing and communications team in storytelling and development for CEEM's 10-year anniversary. This includes content creation, including blogs, social media and newsletters, as well as event planning and direct member communication. To balance these efforts, the intern will also support strategic development initiatives, such as interviewing members and partners, that celebrate CEEM's decade of impact. This role provides a unique opportunity to be fully immersed in the clean energy business community, helping to highlight CEEM's impact over the last decade and growing resources for what's to come in the next ten years. The person in this role can expect to engage in networking with business leaders as well as nonprofit partners and government staff.

This position offers the opportunity to operate at the intersection of business, policy and clean energy from an economic and nonpartisan perspective. Students can expect to build industry literacy by translating complex energy policy and economics into public narratives. Through the 10-year anniversary work, students will gain hands-on event planning, networking and content creation skills.

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Office Location: 400 South 4th Street, Suite 401 - 202 Minneapolis, MN 55415

More Information: cleanenergyeconomymn.org

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Energy Burden Reduction Specialist

Internship Description: In the summer of 2026, CERTs will have projects across the state with food shelf clients and manufactured home (trailer) park residents distributing energy conservation kits and educational material (in Spanish, Hmong, & Somali, where needed). We want you! You will help coordinate these in-person events and also attend them when possible (with CERTs staff), providing meaningful tools to help people living in poverty reduce their energy costs, fight climate change and hopefully make their homes safer and more comfortable places to live. We will also be looking at ways to incorporate solar to reduce energy burden and models of net zero / passive house design for affordable housing. It is rewarding work and our little CERTs group (home office on the Saint Paul U of M campus) are fun to work with.

You will work with others as we:

• Go to manufactured home (trailer) parks and provide energy conservation kits and educational materials door-to-door 
• Table at food shelves as we provide energy conservation kits and educational materials 
• Help us track and quantify the energy and money savings 
• Help us implement energy saving projects in zip code 55106 (East Saint Paul) which has one of the highest electricity shut-off rates in the state
• Help us implement solar where possible and research models of net zero / passive house design for affordable housing 
• Partner with other climate justice organizations and projects as we fight climate change and reduce energy costs at the same time
• And yes, sometimes help with boring office work, too (hey, just being honest)

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required 

Office Location: Falcon Heights, MN

More Information: cleanenergyresourceteams.org

Hourly Rate of Pay: $15.25 (Must be confirmed with hiring supervisor)

Position: Graphic Design & Multimedia Communications Intern

Internship Description: Cooperative Energy Futures (CEF) is a community-based cooperative working to expand access to locally owned clean energy in Minnesota. We partner with communities to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower energy costs and support local economic development through community solar, residential solar and energy efficiency programs.

CEF is seeking a Graphic Design & Multimedia Communications Intern to support marketing and outreach efforts through high-quality visual design and multimedia content. Working closely with our cross-functional marketing team, the intern will create graphics, social media content, outreach materials and short-form videos that clearly communicate CEF’s programs and impact. This role is primarily design-focused, with opportunities to contribute to content creation, campaign planning and communications strategy. We are especially interested in students who are curious, adaptable and self-motivated problem solvers who enjoy working both independently and collaboratively. This internship offers hands-on experience in clean energy communications, visual storytelling and marketing, along with mentorship from professionals working in renewable energy and community-based organizations. Interns will build a portfolio of real-world design and media projects while gaining exposure to organizational planning and decision-making.

Key responsibilities include: designing social media posts, infographics, flyers, brochures, presentations and digital content; supporting short-form video production and basic motion graphics; assisting with photography and asset management; collaborating on outreach campaigns and engagement strategies; and participating in planning meetings, brainstorming and feedback sessions.

Desired qualifications: Undergraduate students with an interest in sustainability and clean energy; experience or coursework in graphic design, visual arts, marketing, or communications; familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite and/or Canva; experience with video editing tools such as Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or CapCut (preferred); bonus experience with motion graphics or animation (e.g., After Effects). Strong visual storytelling skills, creativity and time management are essential.

Portfolio submission: Applicants are encouraged to submit a design and/or video portfolio (website, PDF, or shared folder) showcasing examples of graphic design, branding, social media content, illustration, photography, video editing and/or motion graphics.

Why this internship matters: Interns will contribute directly to projects that expand access to clean energy across Minnesota while gaining first-hand experience in how thoughtful design, outreach and strategic decision-making support real-world impact. This internship offers students hands-on learning in sustainability-focused communications, clean energy storytelling and creative problem-solving. Interns will build practical skills in graphic design, visual storytelling, short-form video production and digital communications while contributing to real-world projects that support community solar, residential solar and energy efficiency programs. Through close collaboration with staff and cross-functional teams, students will gain experience in campaign planning, strategic thinking and professional teamwork. By the end of the internship, students will have developed a strong portfolio of design and multimedia work and gained insight into how creative communications advance clean energy and climate solutions in a community-based organization.

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Office Location: Minneapolis, MN

More Information: cooperativeenergyfutures.com

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Geothermal Research Intern

Internship Description: This internship position will involve performing data research and analysis of groundwater-based geothermal systems to support Darcy Solutions' work further developing our geothermal technology. The work activities in this internship will be specifically tailored to students with a background and/or interest in geology, engineering, or regulatory and policy work. There will also be the opportunity for hands-on activities with technology research and design (R&D) and supporting system installations at project sites, if that aligns with the student’s interests.

Students will learn about groundwater-based geothermal technology, research, regulatory and activities. They will work within a collaborative group of professionals in geology, engineering, regulatory, construction operations and sales.

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Location: 1950 Old Hwy 8 NW, New Brighton, MN 55112

More Information: darcysolutions.com

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: State Industrial Innovation Intern

Internship Description: This is an opportunity to conduct energy-related research for a Minnesota-based environmental nonprofit organization. GPI is actively advancing policy strategies to decarbonize the chemicals sector. The intern will assess the current landscape of building block chemicals and existing datasets related to their production, end use and current emissions profiles. The intern will then have the opportunity to conduct a deep dive into a subset of the building block chemicals explored, which will be integrated into a broader report being developed by GPI.

This research project will provide a student with the opportunity to learn how to gather, interpret and present data with guidance and assistance from experts in the field. They will learn how to draft a professional report that includes citations, graphs and charts and clear writing. They will also gain insight into how to interact with colleagues and businesses to obtain relevant information and data. In the process, the student will learn about technologies and policies needed to promote sustainability in the chemicals sector and will also learn how a non-partisan environmental organization seeks to promote sustainability and emissions reductions across the economy.

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Office Location: 2801 21st Ave S, Suite 220, Minneapolis, MN 55407

More Information: betterenergy.org

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Urban Forest Inventory Intern

Internship Description: Green Cities Accord is seeking a detail oriented, independent intern to assist with a field-based tree sampling project across the Twin Cities. The intern will help establish the data collection method and document the status of approximately 350 trees, recording observations, photos and notes for each. This project is part of Green Cities Accord’s urban tree carbon offset program, offering the intern the opportunity to learn how the program supports the Twin Cities’ urban tree canopy and contributes to measurable climate impact. This flexible, hands-on opportunity is ideal for students interested in urban forestry, environmental science, or community sustainability. Reliable transportation and a device capable of taking and uploading photos are required. 

This internship provides students with hands-on experience in sustainability and urban forestry. Students will develop practical skills in field data collection, tree health assessment and documentation, including taking and organizing geotagged photos and detailed observational notes. They will also gain exposure to the operations of a carbon offset program, learning how urban tree projects contribute to climate impact, carbon sequestration and the expansion of the Twin Cities’ urban tree canopy. Additionally, students will practice independent project management, problem solving in field settings and data organization, all within the context of a mission driven sustainability initiative.

Modality: All or mostly in-person

Office Location: 1317 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413 

More Information: greencitiesaccord.org 

Hourly Rate of Pay: $16.00 (Must be confirmed with hiring supervisor)

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Assistant Energy Researcher

Internship Description: The Green Neighbor Challenge has built a web-tool to help anyone in the US quickly find and sign up for green energy. We are also developing additional ways to leverage public data for collective energy action by ordinary residents.

The assistant energy researcher will assist us in our mission by researching and documenting a range of resident-facing energy programs and incentives including: utility green pricing programs, retail market pricing, energy assistance programs and cooperative utility programs. Research primarily involves reading through utility websites and performing data entry and sometimes contacting utilities directly via email, phone, or form for more information. No prior research experience is required, just an attention to detail, curiosity and access to the internet. Familiarity with Excel/Google Sheets is a plus.

Interns will learn how to perform utility and program research and work with large datasets. As they learn to read through term sheets, they'll also gain a better knowledge of the electricity sector and jargon of the field. Since our work focuses almost exclusively on empowering residential customers, interns will develop a consumer-oriented view of the electricity sector and gain a deeper understanding of what levers exist for both market and policy transformation. Our team also encourages creating space for self-directed learning and has assembled a small library of resources about energy and energy policy. Interns are also supported in making new connections within our network that support their interests.

Modality: Entirely virtual

Location: Madison, WI

More Information: greenneighborchallenge.org

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Signature Programs Support Intern

Internship Description: This internship supports key initiatives at MSHS, focusing on supporting our two signature programs, Garden-in-a-Box and Minnesota Green. This role will involve you doing in-person and virtual site visits to gardens throughout the metro area, as well as helping coordinate and manage plant deliveries to our office.

Project management, communicating with diverse communities, coordinating logistics, an understanding of community garden systems in the twin cities, creating physical marketing materials, connecting people with educational resources and GIS mapping experience.

Modality: All or mostly in-person 

Office Location: Roseville, MN

More Information: [email protected]

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Gold Leaf Challenge Program Intern

Internship Description: Interns will assist communities as they work to achieve actions through the Gold Leaf Challenge program, administered by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Communities will be focusing on implementing high-priority, high-impact climate (mitigation, planning, adaptation and community connectedness) actions. Communities participating in the Gold Leaf Challenge are interested in taking quick and effective climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare their community for a changing climate. However, each participant is at a different stage in their efforts. Interns will have the opportunity to work with communities that are just starting their work and others that have been leading the way in Minnesota for years.

We plan to form a cohort of interns supporting communities with the Gold Leaf Challenge. Interns will be paired with Gold Leaf Challenge participants closer to the summer when we know more about the specific projects that participants are interested in pursuing over the summer months. Interns will work in a number of different project areas including: climate action planning, stormwater resilience, renewable energy planning and projects, electric vehicle infrastructure planning and projects, planning for resilience hubs and more. Intern projects will support participants with various projects which may include research, engagement, communications and/or action reporting.

The intern will have the opportunity to work directly with community leaders and staff to identify real-world actions that support local climate efforts and develop a path forward for taking the actions. The intern will get to know the community, the challenges it faces and the tools it has available to take action. The intern will use the Gold Leaf Challenge program that provides tools and resources for communities and learn from fellow interns working with other Gold Leaf Challenge participants and the communities that they are working with. Interns typically have the opportunity to engage the public at in-person or virtual events, develop plans and recommendations for local Commissions or Councils and improve communication skills through public speaking, written or other media and more.

Organization: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Available Community Internships:

• City of Eagan
• City of Hackensack
• City of Hutchinson
• City of La Crescent
• City of Maplewood
• City of Saint Anthony Village
• Climate Smart Saint James

Website: greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/page/gold-leaf-challenge

Location: Entirely virtual

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Climate Action and Community Engagement Intern

Internship Description: To support clean energy initiatives in Native American communities while gaining hands-on experience in social media management, research and community outreach. Interns may create engaging digital content, conduct research on renewable energy topics and contribute to projects that promote environmental justice and Tribal sovereignty.

This internship offers students a deep dive into sustainability-focused work, with opportunities to learn about clean energy systems, environmental justice and Indigenous sovereignty. Interns will gain practical skills in social media campaign planning, content creation and data-driven engagement strategies to promote renewable energy initiatives. They will also conduct research on topics such as energy sovereignty, electric vehicles and agrivoltaics, developing expertise in sustainability reporting and grant writing. Through hands-on projects, interns will learn to communicate complex environmental concepts effectively, collaborate with diverse stakeholders and contribute to meaningful solutions for a just and sustainable future.

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Office Location: Minneapolis, MN 

More Information: nativesun.org 

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Environmental Health Technical Assistance Intern

Internship Description: Rainbow Research has worked for the past 5 years, with others, to organize a new Community Grants program that will support all communities across the state in having an accessible, annual grant source that pulls 1.5% of lottery proceeds each year. In 2026, that amount is $28.28 million. During the summer, after the expedited grant round has been initiated, we will organize a statewide network of Technical Assistance (TA) providers, supported by interns, to provide TA to potential grantees, helping them put competitive applications together. The MN DNR will post a Request for Proposals (RFP) and we will help potential grantees do the necessary research to answer all questions thoroughly and effectively to increase their odds of success in the grant application. The summary of this new program, provided on the MN DNR website, says the following: "Funded by the Environment and Natural Resources Fund (ENRTF), the Community Grant Program will support projects for the public purpose of protection, conservation, preservation and enhancement of the state's air, water, land, fish, wildlife and other natural resources. The program will increase the number and diversity of grant recipients who receive ENRTF funding, especially in communities that have been adversely affected by pollution and environmental degradation. Grant awards will benefit communities and residents in all regions of our state. Students will be trained in providing high quality TA to environmental justice and health grant applicants from across the state and how to write competitive applications. Students will join the ENRTF Community Engagement Work Group, composed of environmental justice leaders and leaders of mainstream environmental organizations. What students will do:

1. Each student will assist a minimum of 5 grantees to prepare grant applications.
2. Each student will work with regional teams of TA providers to generate common data points to support grantees in each of the domains for which funding is offered.
3. Students will work in teams to evaluate each proposal draft on their merits and send back to applicants with poorly scored proposals - useful recommendations on improvement. 
4. Students will participate in building a community-based monitoring ecosystem for this grant program so that as it unfolds, communities are increasingly ready to submit competitive applications that address the most critical short and long-term environmental justice and health challenges in applicant communities.

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Office Location: 807 NE Broadway St. Suite 230, Minneapolis, MN 

More Information: rainbowresearch.org 

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Energy Workforce Development Engagement Intern

Internship Description: Renewable Energy Partners, Inc. (REP) has created a Safe Harbor Fund that will allow local governments and non-profits in Minnesota to maintain access to federal tax credits for solar energy projects. Those tax credits, which can contribute 30-50% to the total costs of a project, have otherwise been repealed for most projects if they have not taken the necessary steps for safe-harboring. The first step for public agencies to preserve their clean energy tax credits is to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) with REP that includes a list of all of the possible sites for solar that they might want to develop over the next five years. With those LOIs in hand, we have pre-purchased solar equipment equal in value to 5% of estimated project budgets---the requirement for safe-harboring. Now, we need to do some preliminary assessments of the sites listed in the LOIs to determine their suitability for solar development.

REP has been developing some tools that will facilitate the process of assessing sites for solar potential and is seeking intern support for further development and application of those assessment tools. In an iterative process, the intern will also apply the tools to sites identified by local governments in their signed LOIs and assist in prioritizing sites for further assessment and potential development of solar energy facilities. The repeal of federal clean energy tax credits does not mean that the transition to clean energy in Minnesota has to slow down. In fact, with utility rates climbing, we need more solar energy and we can save local governments and non-profits millions of dollars on their utility costs over the next 25 years by installing their own solar energy systems in the next few years. REP’s project is to build-out and apply more effective tools for the preliminary assessment of a wide range of sites for their solar energy potential. The summer project includes: 

1. Collaborative support for the development of site assessment screening tools for solar energy
2. Application of assessment tools at local government sites, weighted scoring of results and reporting of assessment findings
3. Creation of a database system for tracking and management of site assessments

Modality: Hybrid, some in-person required

Office Location: 1200 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN

More Information: renewablenrgpartners.com

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Campus Action Now Intern

Internship Description: Switch4Good is a non-profit organization championing food equity and nutrition security for all communities by paving the way for a plant-rich food system to thrive. Interns will assist in advancing our mission by selecting and completing their own project deliverables, providing ad hoc support for events and other opportunities and helping with administrative work. They will also participate in weekly discussions with other interns about the central issues at hand in the work of Switch4Good: animal welfare, planetary responsibility, health and justice. Interns should have an interest in food systems change.

Students will participate in guided discussions about sustainability issues including threats to sustainability and potential solutions. They will also contribute to writing and speaking about food sustainability to the Switch4Good audience through in-person advocacy in their local communities and through digital campaigning. Skills include copywriting, systems thinking, environmental cost calculation and research-based argumentative writing.

Modality: Entirely virtual

Location: Remote

More Information: switch4good.org 

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours

Position: Program Coordinator

Internship Description: The Program Coordinator will help develop programming for students, staff and faculty leading sustainability efforts on college campuses across the Upper Midwest, especially for the UMACS 2026 Conference which will be at St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict on September 25 and 26 in Collegeville, MN.

The intern will have the opportunity to participate in all online programming offered during the summer including programming with 15 student fellows from across the region. The intern can also choose to attend our summer retreat at Northern Michigan University and the UMACS conference in the fall for free. Interns can expect to learn the skills and knowledge needed to design and implement effective and interesting programming including communication and marketing skills, data management, human-centered design and more. The ideal candidate will have a passion for inspiring and training campus members to work effectively for climate action and systems change; experience with social media and other forms of communications, experience with event planning and be detail oriented.

The position is primarily remote but the intern can meet in person with their supervisor in the Twin Cities if desired/possible.

Modality: Entirely Virtual

Office Location: St. Paul, MN

More Information: umacs.org

Stipend and Total Hours: $3,500 for 210 hours