Summer 2026 Metcalf Environmental Policy Internship

This internship is part of the University’s Jeff Metcalf Internship Program. Click here to learn more about the program, its benefits, and the UChicago community of supporters. By applying to this internship you agree to follow the Student Recruiting Guidelines.

Internship Time Commitment: approximately 320 hours over 8 weeks
Hybrid: Interns are expected to work during organization’s business hours of operations

This position is not benefits eligible.

Please make sure that if selected for an interview, you communicate to your prospective host organization/employer where you will be physically located during the internship as your location may affect your (or your host organization/employer’s) ability to pursue this opportunity.
 

If you are an international student, please make sure to visit the OIA website to familiarize yourself with your work authorization eligibility and requirements as soon as possible. If you’d like to make an appointment with your international adviser, please visit this page.

--

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwest’s leading environmental legal advocacy organization. We drive transformational policy changes with national impacts.

We show that environmental progress and economic development can be achieved together by putting sustainability principles into practice. We advance climate solutions effectively by accelerating clean renewable energy alternatives to conventional power plants and advancing clean transportation solutions. We protect the Great Lakes and defend the Midwest’s wild and natural places, and we fight for safe, clean water and healthy clean air for all. We combine effective public interest litigation with strategic policy advocacy, sound science, and economic analysis. ELPC produces strong results for the environment in the courtrooms, boardrooms, and legislative hearing rooms across the pivotal Midwest states and in Washington D.C.

Come join our winning team of talented, mission-driven professionals, who passionately work together to protect the environment and natural resources in the Midwest region.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center offers several policy internships for undergraduate and graduate students. Applicants should have a strong academic record, excellent writing and analytical skills, and a demonstrated interest in and commitment to public interest and environmental advocacy.

Policy Interns assist ELPC’s Senior Policy Advocates, Policy Advocates, and Data Scientist. Tasks include: promoting environmentally sustainable transportation policies and projects across the Midwest, preserving our natural resources and protecting our national forests, advancing global warming solutions, working on clean energy projects, grass roots advocacy, and special projects. Interns may also attend meetings with local, state and federal agencies, elected officials, and concerned citizens.

ELPC’s Policy Team seeks an intern interested in being part of one or more of the following projects:

• Transportation: Help monitor and engage with implementation of Illinois' new transit reform and funding law. 
• Powerplants to Parklands: Research status of retiring coal plants across the Midwest region and changes in federal and state energy policies 
• Northwest Indiana Air, Parks, and Water Protector Project: research industrial pollution sources and permitting violations to assist in efforts to ease the pollution burden on environmental justice communities 
• Electric School buses: Contribute to ongoing efforts to accelerate the adoption of zero emission vehicles across the Midwest 
• Vegetative buffers: participate in project seeking vegetative barriers to protect students and school staff from near roadway air pollution
• Help coordinate efforts to work with impacted communities and strengthen permits issued to industrial agricultural operations to improve air and water quality and protect human health.