Applications are now open for UW–Madison’s Corporate Sustainability Internship Program, a summer-long internship that provides students with real-world sustainability experience in corporate environments.
Rooted in the Wisconsin Idea, the program connects undergraduate and graduate students with Midwest companies seeking support on sustainability initiatives. Businesses bring forward specific project needs, and program staff match them with candidates whose skills and interests align.
Open to students from all majors, the program creates pathways into sustainability roles and projects across a wide range of organizational settings. Recent projects have included Scope 3 emissions reporting with Lands’ End, decarbonization planning with J.H. Findorff & Son, and communications strategies with C-Motive Technologies.
For Wisconsin businesses, the program offers a direct connection to UW–Madison’s talent pool, drawing in students with fresh perspectives and diverse skill sets. For students, it offers a rare chance to work on externally facing sustainability projects while participating in a cohort-based internship experience supported by the university.
Students interested in participating in the Summer 2026 Corporate Sustainability Internship Program are encouraged to submit an inquiry through the program form by March 6. Businesses interested in hosting interns—either for Summer 2026 or future program cycles—are welcome to submit an inquiry on an ongoing basis.
The Corporate Sustainability Internship Program is administered by UW–Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Office of Sustainability. Questions can be directed to Will Erikson at werikson@wisc.edu. Hero image: former intern Nick Brennan tours Placon Plastics Recycling during program orientation.