Summer Internships & Experiences

The Energy Internship Program connects Duke undergraduate and graduate students from all majors and degree programs to summer internship opportunities across the energy sector, including at start-ups, utilities, renewable energy developers, large firms, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations.

Qualifying undergraduate and graduate students can also apply for supplementary funding for internship opportunities. The internship does not have to be included on the Energy Internship Program's list of opportunities for you to be eligible for funding. Thanks to a partnership with the Energy Access Project at Duke, some funds are reserved for internships related to energy access or energy transitions in low- and middle-income countries. The funding period for summer 2022 internships has closed.

The Stanback Fellowship Program is a partnership between the Nicholas School of the Environment and non-profit environmental organizations. The purpose of the program is to provide students with significant project-based learning experiences in energy, conservation, advocacy, policy, research, and applied resource management. Open to all Duke students who are eligible to work in the United States and who have at least one semester remaining at Duke before they graduate.  Learn more.

Data+ is a 10-week summer research experience that welcomes Duke undergraduates interested in exploring new data-driven approaches to interdisciplinary challenges. Students join small project teams, collaborating with other teams in a communal environment. They learn how to marshal, analyze, and visualize data, while gaining broad exposure to the modern world of data science.

Applications and projects for 2022 are available to browse here. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis.

In 2022, Data+ is introducing a new vertical:  Climate+.

Climate+ is aligned with Duke’s commitment to advancing interdisciplinary understanding of climate change’s causes and societal impacts and to identifying sustainable solutions, including climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. This summer’s Climate+ teams will work on diverse topics, including electricity consumption, wetland carbon emissions, climate change’s impacts on river and ocean ecosystems, and the use of remote sensing data to inform climate strategies. View the Summer 2022 projects.

Deadlines for 2022 have not been announced yet.
Sustainable Duke has launched the Trillium Student Research Initiative to bring students and faculty together to incorporate sustainability learning outcomes into Duke's course offerings. Selected faculty are awarded with a fully funded student researcher for the summer to assist in the development of integrating sustainability into their existing or new courses. Students must commit to working 35 hours a week for 8-11 weeks. Learn more. 

The Duke Global Policy (DGP) Program in Geneva, Switzerland helps undergraduate and graduate students learn how international and non-governmental organizations in Geneva are addressing today’s most pressing global challenges.

All participants take a rigorous weeklong course (three academic credits) that includes site visits at international and non-governmental agencies, networking events, professional coaching, group case simulations, and a culminating policy memo assignment. Many participants also opt to stay in Geneva for the summer to complete an internship at an international or non-governmental agency.

Each year, the Energy Initiative funds up to two advanced undergraduates or graduate students to complete both the Duke Global Policy Program course and an energy-related internship in Geneva. Students must submit a separate application to be considered for this funding. 

DukeEngage empowers undergraduate students to address critical human needs by fully funding a summer of immersive service. 

The group programs offered through DukeEngage sometimes focus on energy topics. For example, for summer 2022, the Energy Initiative has helped to organize "Researching the potential for sustainable development and growth for Paraguay and Brazil," led by energy faculty members Dr. Christine Folch and Dr. Luana Marangon Lima. 

Summer programs featuring energy- and climate-related course content include Duke in Berlin and Duke in Denmark.

Your school's career center is also an excellent resource for finding internship opportunities and funding: 

• Duke University Career Center—Serves all Trinity and Pratt undergraduates as well as students in the Graduate School. Note their Internship Funding Program (undergrads only) deadline is in late February.
• Fuqua Career Center
• Law School Career Center
• Nicholas Career & Professional Development Center
• Pratt Career Services 
• Sanford Career Services