15 Climate Change Internships for High School Students

If you are a high school student interested in climate change, you can explore internships that provide exposure to environmental research, conservation, and sustainability. By participating in climate change internships, you can gain experience in professional environments, explore subjects that interest you, and develop applied skills in research, analysis, and communication. 

For students focused on climate issues, climate change internships provide a way to learn how organizations address environmental challenges while contributing to ongoing projects. These experiences give insight into scientific, policy, and advocacy aspects of climate action. 

To make your search easier, we’ve gathered a list of the top 15 climate change internships for high school students, including both field-based and virtual options. Each program highlights a different aspect of climate work, from research and conservation to community engagement and policy initiatives.

15 Climate Change Internships for High School Students

1. Student Conservation Association (SCA) Conservation Crew & Internship

Location: Several SCA agencies around the world
Stipend: None (food and housing covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 6-8 members per crew
Dates: Varies based on program; typically during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students between ages 15 and 19

Through the Student Conservation Association’s Join the Crew program, you can participate in conservation projects alongside peers and experienced leaders. These crews focus on work such as maintaining trails, restoring habitats, and supporting community green spaces. You may spend your time outdoors in parks, forests, or urban areas, depending on the project placement. The program also introduces you to environmental practices, project planning, and teamwork in a conservation setting. While working, you follow structured schedules and gain exposure to field tools and ecological knowledge. Crews are available across different regions, giving you the chance to explore a variety of landscapes.

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available / None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 10-25% / Around 70-100 students per cohort
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts; Summer Cohort II starts July 14
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates and gap-year students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks

Ladder Internships connects you with startups where you contribute to projects in areas such as technology, healthcare, education, sustainability, and media. Over several weeks, you work virtually on tasks like research, product development, or presenting deliverables. Each participant is paired with a startup mentor, who guides you through your project, and a Ladder coach, who provides weekly support to help you stay on track. Some placements focus on sectors tied to climate change, including renewable energy, sustainable business practices, and environmental innovation. The program also includes workshops and feedback sessions that help you reflect on your progress and connect your work to larger themes in society. 

3. NASA OSTEM Gateway Internships

Location: Different NASA facilities in the US
Stipend: Provided based on academic level and session duration
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive / Varies as per program
Dates: Summer internships run 10 weeks from late May/early June to August
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. The Summer internship deadline is February 27
Eligibility: High school students | U.S. citizen | At least 16 years old at the time of application | 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale

Through NASA’s STEM Gateway, you can access a wide range of internships, research programs, and learning opportunities across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Many of these programs focus on Earth science, where you study satellite data and environmental systems to better understand our planet. Some opportunities connect directly to climate change, such as projects on urban heat islands, coastal impacts, and the development of climate education tools. You may take part in research initiatives like the Climate Change Research Initiative, where students and educators work alongside NASA scientists on long-term investigations. The platform also gives you exposure to the methods scientists use to track environmental change.

4. Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) Internships

Location: Remote
Stipend: Varies based on program; amount not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Year-round (Summer and academic year)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 14 and 18

The Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) offers internships that focus on climate communication, advocacy, and youth engagement. As an intern, you may contribute to projects such as social media content creation, digital storytelling, campaign development, or community outreach. These roles place you at the intersection of climate science and public engagement, where your work supports campaigns designed to raise awareness of the climate emergency. Internships often involve researching climate topics, drafting educational materials, and collaborating with staff on strategies to reach diverse youth audiences. Some positions include creating toolkits, blogs, or digital media that connect climate science to issues of justice and equity. 

5. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program

Location: Multiple locations across the US
Stipend: $3,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive / 32-33 students
Dates: 8 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or rising college freshmen who are at least 16 years old

In the Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program, you will spend eight weeks working with a fisheries professional who serves as your mentor. Your work may include tasks such as fish population surveys, habitat assessments, water quality monitoring, or restoration projects in local freshwater or marine environments. By participating, you learn how fisheries science is applied in the field and how aquatic ecosystems are studied and managed. Many projects address environmental stressors that affect climate change, including rising water temperatures, altered river flows, and shifting species distributions. This program gives you the chance to see how fisheries scientists measure the effects of a changing climate on aquatic systems. 

6. Conservation Corps North Carolina Youth Conservation Crews

Location: Various sites across North Carolina.
Stipend: $15 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified / 4-6 youth members per crew with 2 leaders
Dates: 3-6 weeks during June, July, and August depending on the crew
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students 15-18 years who are residents of North Carolina

Through the Youth Conservation Crews at Conservation Corps North Carolina, you spend the summer working on projects that improve parks, forests, and community green spaces. You join a small team of peers and a crew leader to complete tasks such as trail building, invasive plant removal, and habitat restoration. Some crews camp at project sites while others operate in day formats where you return home each evening. The work you do supports healthier ecosystems and helps landscapes adapt to climate change by improving forest resilience, restoring natural areas, and maintaining spaces that absorb carbon. Alongside fieldwork, you gain exposure to conservation practices and learn how land management connects to climate challenges.

7. Earthwatch Institute Student Fellowships

Location: Various sites across North Carolina
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Varies based on research projects
Application Deadline: Vary depending on funding partner
Eligibility: High school students in the US | School/city/state eligibility may apply

Earthwatch Student Fellowships give you the chance to join field research teams and contribute directly to scientific studies. These fellowships place you alongside researchers who investigate ecosystems such as forests, estuaries, and coastal environments. Your role may involve collecting samples, recording observations, or analyzing data that helps scientists track how natural systems are responding to environmental pressures. Many projects are tied to climate change, including research on carbon storage in forests, species distribution shifts, and ecosystem resilience. The program is offered through specific opportunities like Ignite, which serves students in Los Angeles, and Girls in Science, which supports female- and nonbinary-identifying students in select regions.

8. Clean Water Ambassadors Internship

Location: Seattle, WA
Stipend: $20 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 30 interns
Dates: July 7 – August 7
Application Deadline: April 21
Eligibility: High school-aged youth who are at least 16 years old when the program begins | Current and valid identification and proof of eligibility for employment in the U.S.

The Clean Water Ambassadors Internship is a summer program where you learn how water systems connect to broader climate and environmental challenges. During the internship, you take part in fieldwork such as monitoring streams, exploring watersheds, and visiting treatment facilities to understand how clean water is maintained. You also work on communications projects, including interviews, educational materials, and a final presentation that highlights the importance of protecting water resources. This combination of outdoor and office work shows how climate change affects water quality and availability, and how communities can adapt. By linking science with public engagement, the program highlights the role of clean water as a foundation for resilience in the face of climate change.

9. Students on Ice (SOI)

Location: Eastern Canadian Arctic, Western coast of Greenland, Southern South America, the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding Southern Ocean
Cost: Approximate cost of one expedition is $10,200; scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 100 students per session
Dates: June – August 
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Youth who are between the ages of 14 and 35

Students on Ice (SOI) Foundation gives you the chance to explore the Arctic and Antarctic while learning directly about the effects of climate change. Through its youth expeditions, you join high school and university students from around the world in an immersive journey guided by scientists, Indigenous elders, artists, and other leaders. These expeditions focus on understanding polar ecosystems, ocean conservation, and how climate change is reshaping these environments. You also take part in cross-cultural exchanges that connect global perspectives on sustainability. The program combines scientific research with storytelling, arts, and cultural learning to highlight the urgency of climate issues.

10. College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences - Young Scholars Internship Program (YSP)

Location: University of Georgia (Athens, Griffin or Tifton campus)
Stipend: Stipend provided. Exact amount not mentioned
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: About 25 students
Dates: July 1 – 7 (Internship); July 8 – 10 (Pre-Collegiate Research Conference)
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Students who have completed their sophomore year in high school and are attending the program for the first time | Must be at least 16 years old by the program start date, and should have completed one high school science course with a laboratory component as well as one semester of algebra.

The UGA CAES Young Scholars Internship is a summer program where you engage in research in agriculture, environmental science, and sustainability. Guided by faculty mentors, you conduct experiments in labs and field sites, analyzing data and drawing conclusions that contribute to ongoing research projects. You also prepare presentations and research posters to share your findings. Through your work, you explore how climate change impacts ecosystems and agriculture, connecting scientific inquiry with environmental challenges. The internship combines practical research experience with critical thinking and problem-solving, giving you insight into how science informs climate solutions. 

11. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) Research Mentorship Program| Environmentor

Location: RISE, 58-03 Rockaway Beach Boulevard, Far Rockaway, NY 11692
Cost/Stipend: None / Up to $1,200
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Extremely selective / 12-15 students
Dates: June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically May
Eligibility: 9th–11th grade students living in NYC and attending school in or near the Rockaway peninsula | Students who attended Shore Corps in the fall and spring will be prioritized

The Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity (RISE) offers Environmentor, a research mentorship program where high school students conduct scientific research on the Rockaway shoreline under the guidance of university and institutional scientists. As a participant, you get to attend orientations and workshops. Past student projects have included flood monitoring, marine mammal strandings, microplastic pollution, and algae bloom impacts on salt marshes. Alongside research, you’ll participate in workshops, community service events, and outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, surfing, and water safety training. You will also be part of RISE community service events and receive community service hours.

12. Northwest Youth Corps – Youth Community Program

Location: Various community sites in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho
Cost/Stipend: $200; need-based financial aid is available / $480 per week + a possible $40 per week in bonuses
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not selective / 8-9 youth member crews with 2 leaders
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – July 3; Session 2: July 8 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students between the ages of 15 and 18

The Northwest Youth Corps Community Program is a five-week conservation initiative where you contribute to projects that address environmental challenges linked to climate change. You take part in activities such as planting trees to support carbon absorption, maintaining and building trails to reduce ecosystem damage, removing invasive species that threaten biodiversity, and reducing wildfire fuels to lower climate-related fire risks. Each day also includes an educational session covering topics like environmental stewardship, teamwork, and natural resource management. The program follows a day schedule, allowing you to return home each evening after service. You collaborate closely with peers, working on projects that require coordination, communication, and problem-solving. 

13. Climate Cardinals Internship

Location: Primarily remote
Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not selective / typically large cohorts
Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Rolling application
Eligibility: Participants of all ages

The Climate Cardinals program engages you in translating climate change information into more than 100 languages so that scientific knowledge is accessible to communities worldwide. You collaborate with a network of young volunteers to convert complex reports and resources into clear, understandable content. This work helps close language gaps that can prevent people from accessing critical information about climate challenges and solutions. You may also contribute to regional chapters that adapt materials for local audiences, ensuring content is both accurate and culturally relevant. The program emphasizes teamwork and communication, as you work closely with peers and mentors across different countries. 

14. Climate Leaders Fellowship by Rustic Pathways

Location: 100% virtual program accessible globally, with a separate in-person Summit event in Colorado, USA
Cost/Stipend: Pay-What-You-Want model (Minimum $0/full scholarships available, Suggested $500, Average $125) / None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Maximum 200 students worldwide
Dates: October 10 – December 9
Application Deadline: October 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18

This 12-week program is designed for high school students passionate about making a difference in the fight against climate change. It covers crucial topics such as climate science fundamentals, environmental justice, and sustainable action strategies, helping students understand not just the problem but how to be part of the solution. Throughout the program, you will engage in live group sessions, develop and lead projects in their local communities, participate in mentorship with climate professionals, and collaborate with peers worldwide. The program has a global reach, flexible virtual format, and creates tangible local impact. You will gain valuable skills in leadership, project management, communication, and critical thinking.

15. Wave Hill Forest Project

Location: New York City
Stipend: Approximately $2,275
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: July 1 – August 16
Application Deadline: February 28; students should also apply to the NYC Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) by March 1 as they get paid through this entity
Eligibility: At least 16 years old by May 1 of application year | Enrolled in high school | New York City residents  | Eligible to work in the United States

The Wave Hill Forest Project is a summer internship that introduces you to urban ecology and the role of green spaces in addressing climate change. As part of this program, you work in woodland areas on tasks such as removing invasive species, stabilizing slopes, and maintaining trails, all of which contribute to healthier ecosystems that can better withstand environmental stress. Alongside fieldwork, you take a college-level course in ecology that links classroom concepts with the restoration work you are doing outdoors. The program also includes field trips and peer collaboration, giving you a broader perspective on how cities manage natural resources in the face of rising temperatures. 

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