PKG Center

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students

The PKG Center is MIT’s social impact employment office. They have two great funding options to pursue science policy work.

1. If you are looking for a job: PKG sponsors social impact employment opportunities which you can apply for on Handshake.

2. If you already have an unpaid job or project: PKG Fellowships provide funding for a project/internship that you find on your own.

The major criteria is that the work must have a positive and significant community impact.

MIT Washington Summer Internships

Eligibility

• Undergraduates

• International students

This program places undergraduates from across the Institute in summer internships in Washington, DC at government agencies, NGOs, think tanks, and private consulting firms. MIT pays for housing and a stipend.

The program will help you network, but you still have to find the internship yourself. Click here for a list of past sponsors who have hosted MIT interns.

MISTI

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students

• Up to one year after graduation

MISTI matches MIT students with internship, research and teaching opportunities abroad. MISTI will pay for your housing, flights, and a stipend.

You can definitely use this funding for a science policy opportunity, though you may have to find your host yourself and present your plan to the appropriate MISTI country coordinator.

11.920 Planning in Practice

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students (if you’ve spent one academic year at MIT due to ISO regulations)

• Only students in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP) are eligible for funding

  • $3500/semester - DUSP will cover up to 50%, employer covers the rest

• All departments eligible for credit

This course allows students to earn a stipend and/or academic credit for a professional internship within the practice of planning in the United States. The course provides students with an opportunity for experiential learning – learning through practice and reflection. The class meets three times per semester to reflect as a group. Students complete short reflection assignments throughout the semester.

DUSPCareers has a resource list of internships, but you can propose your own. Stipend support is only available during the fall/spring semesters, but you can take the course for credit over the summer.

If you have any questions about eligibility or the course in general, you can email the DUSP Professional Development Director Mary Jane Daly.

17.902 Boston/Cambridge Semester Academic Credit Internships

Eligibility

• Undergrads

• International students

• All departments

The Boston/Cambridge Semester Academic Credit Internships provide MIT students of any major with class credit and extended exposure to the area's thriving culture of national, state, and local political and policy activity.

Placement opportunities are available at political campaigns, legislators' offices, legal service organizations, human service agencies, and advocacy groups and organizations working on issues like education, public health, the environment, homelessness, and more. Internship placements typically last one semester, with students required to work 6-15 hours on site each week.

City of Boston Innovation and Technology Internship

Eligibility

• Undergrad and grad

• Boston residents preferred

• International students

The City of Boston innovation and technology team makes sure the networks, computers, and systems that support the City are secure and effective. They also manage the City’s websites and technologies focused on service delivery. One recent MIT alumna who completed an internship with this office during an undergrad summer said it was a valuable opportunity to help a local government modernize their technology.

NOAA Community Engaged Internship

Eligibility

• Undergrads

• Underrepresented and indigenous communities (African-American, American Indian or Alaska Native, Hispanic and Latino, female, first-generation college students, veterans, LGBTQ+, and students with disabilities)

• And/or students who have experienced and worked to overcome educational or economic disadvantages, and/or who have personal or family circumstances that may complicate their career paths

The overarching goal of this internship program is to broaden participation in marine and coastal professions by providing training and mentorship to the next generation of scientists, decision makers and citizens. Mentors are expected to engage interns in field work, analyses, research and/or outreach and public engagement. CEI interns focus on place-based research, extension, education and/or communication that respects and integrates local ways of knowing.

This internship program has a bunch of locations all over the U.S, each with unique projects!

U.S. Census Internship

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• Majors including (but not limited to): 6, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18, 9

Positions and job duties will vary depending on the area of study and position/series. The Census Bureau produces quality data that help Americans better understand our country- its population, resources, economy, society and culture.

You can apply for this position on its own or through the MIT Washington D.C. Internship Program. One recent MIT alumnus who did this internship said the department was incredibly friendly and full of civil servants who care deeply about their work.

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) General Counsel Undergraduate Intern Program

Eligibility

• Undergrads

The Department of Energy’s Office of the General Counsel Undergraduate Intern Program offers an exciting opportunity for college students to gain firsthand exposure to cutting-edge issues in energy law and policy. Interns will have an opportunity to attend meetings, observe hearings, and learn first-hand about the work of DOE and the Office of the General Counsel.

Interns can expect work assignments concerning an array of energy related issues, such as energy efficiency enforcement, implementation of energy law, renewable technologies, and increasing transparency, accountability and efficiency within the DOE. Interns will have a mix of substantive and administrative responsibilities, and may perform a wide array of tasks.

MA Legislature Internships

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students

Legislative interns gain practical experience working for a State Senator, State Representative or a Committee. The intern program provides students with a better understanding of public service and the legislative process in Massachusetts. Interns are unpaid volunteers; however, you can apply for credit or funding for this position through the MIT PKG Center or the 17.902 course listing if you are an undergrad.

To find an internship, contact your representative or one of the general offices listed on this internship information page.

House Science Committee Internships

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology typically hires interns for four month periods each fall, spring, and summer. The internship provides a unique opportunity to observe the legislative process first hand.

Interns are asked to work with staff to help prepare for committee hearings and markups. Additionally, interns are critical to the daily operation of the office including tasks such as answering phones, greeting visitors, and filing official documents. Interns also work directly with staff on substantive research projects and press matters. In order to enhance the learning experience, interns are encouraged to attend lectures, briefings, and other events on Capitol Hill that suit their interests.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Science Policy Fellowship

Eligibility

• Masters or PhD students

• International students

The ACS Science Policy Fellowship Program places one Science Policy Fellow (SPF) with the ACS External Affairs and Communications team (EAC) for 1-2 years. The SPF works with experienced EAC staff on areas of importance to the chemistry enterprise, including: federal funding for scientific research; science, technology, engineering and math education; green chemistry; environmental policy; and regulatory policy. The SPF also supports ACS's member-driven policy development process and encourages members to engage their elected officials and other policymakers.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Internships

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students

• All courses/areas of study

The AAAS seeks to "advance science, engineering, and innovation throughout the world for the benefit of all people." There are a number of internships for students of different backgrounds and skills. An internship can lead to full-time employment.

ACLU Digital, Tech, and Analytics Internships

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students

This internship is a chance to engage with the issues and the people at the forefront of today’s most impactful civil liberties and civil rights fights and victories. The ACLU will provide mentorship and a stipend. They have lots of internship categories from communications to operations and management, but the Digital, Tech, and Analytics internship is well-suited to MIT students interested in internet privacy, surveillance, and other tech advocacy.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Internships

ELIGIBILITY

• Undergrads

• International students

World Wildlife Fund is the world’s leading conservation organization. Their internships are often advertised through the PKG Center’s social impact employment opportunities. Work on anything from climate change to rhino population protection. A few examples positions include Climate Policy Intern, U.S. Government Relations Intern, and Science Communications Intern for Coastal Resilience.

The Brookings Institute

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students (limited number)

The Brookings Institute seeks to provide high quality and fair research to influence policy. They focus on policy at the local, national, and international level, with "centers" and "policies" in virtually all policy areas. They offer both full time research positions and spring and summer internships. They are well respected in policy research and heavily cited.

Research Triangle Institute International

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students

RTI International is a think tank and research organization that mostly focuses on areas of science with the purpose of benefitting humankind. Main research areas include health, education, environment, energy, and agriculture. They offer jobs all around the world and internships for both pay and credit at all education levels.

Battelle Memorial Institute

Eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

Battelle is a science and technology policy research organization that hopes to advance its research into benefits for society. They employ "solvers" who conduct research and translate it into policy solutions. They offer internships, co-ops, and full time research positions in labs around the United States.

The Aspen Institute

Eligiblity

• Undergrads for Summer Internships

• Undergrads and grads for Full Time Careers

The Aspen Institute for an Inclusive Economy is a non-partisan think tank and research organization focused on expanding economic opportunities for all. They want everyone to have a say in solving the world's complex problems. They focus on areas of economics, education, the environment, security, health, and justice. They offer both full time positions and a summer internship program.

The Engine Summer Policy Intern

eligibility

• Masters students

• International students

• Studying TPP, public policy, or similar

The Engine, launched by MIT, invests in early-stage companies solving the world’s biggest problems through a convergence of breakthrough science, engineering, and leadership. They accelerate the path to market for Tough Tech companies through the combination of capital, infrastructure, and network.

Example project: The Engine is seeking a research-driven and analytical individual to research acute gaps in the commercialization path for Tough Tech. This study will focus on developing papers around a clean energy innovation agenda and on rethinking industrial policy in the US.

BlueBonnet

eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• International students

• Progressives with STEM backgrounds

Volunteer data engineering skills for a Democratic campaign! This nonprofit was founded by MIT and Harvard students. They got their start volunteering programming skills to Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 Senate campaign, and the rest is history.

Time commitment is 5-7 hours per week. You will receive training on how to work with campaign data.

Cambridge MIT/Area 4 Democratic Party Ward Committee

eligibility

• Undergrads and grads

• Registered Democratic voters in MA

• Live in MIT/Area 4 (Ward 2)

This is a great opportunity to represent MIT in state Democratic politics. All you need to do is form a committee of three people who live in Ward 2 and are registered to vote with the Democratic Party. Fill out the Ward Committee Declaration Form found on this page.

As part of the Ward Committee, you get to go to an annual MA Democrats Convention. You’re also responsible for grassroots Democratic organizing in your ward. MIT/Area 4 currently does not have a committee, but the last one was composed of MIT undergrads, including one who later ran for local office! The spot is yours for the taking.