Summer 2027 Economics Research Intern

Overview NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health acrossAsia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org.

Our interns play an active role on the front lines of the environmental movement. Over the course of an internship, NRDC interns work with lawyers, scientists, or policy analysts in different program areas and amass experience that they could not have obtained anywhere else. Interns also have access to various events to enhance their NRDC experience.

NRDC interns may support or work on:

Research, data collection, and analysis

Writing and developing materials for state and federal campaigns

Supporting with designing equitable policy solutions

Copywriting and editing social media posts and supporting on marketing campaigns

Brainstorming opportunities for process improvements, new vendors, partnerships, and engagement

Project management of department and team-wide initiatives

You can find examples of work by our interns on our Careers Page.

Responsibilities POSITION SUMMARY

NRDC's Science Office is seeking a graduate intern to support on economic projects and priorities. This intern will report into the Senior Advisor and Economist. This oppportunity is based out of our Washington, DC office and interns are expected to be onsite 3 days per week.

As we build out economics capacity at NRDC, the Economics Research Intern will be able to engage on the broader strategy for economics at NRDC and multiple projects. Key area of focus for projects will be the economics questions surrounding AI and the data center build out, an area of increasing environmental and political conversation. This intern will produce written materials and likely present findings to help inform NRDC's internal work on AI and data centers as well as possible public facing materials on key insights or areas of importance.

Qualifications REQUIREMENTS

Must be currently enrolled in a graduate program

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Research and/or data analysis

Able to work independently and collaboratively, within a team

Initiative, proactiveness, and creativity

Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles

TOOLS

Excel experience is preferred.

DETAILS

Duration: 10-weeks | Commitment: 35 hours/week

This intern must be able to commit to working one of the following sessions:

Summer Session 1: Monday May 24, 2027 – Friday July 30, 2027

Summer Session 3: Monday June 21, 2027 – Friday August 27, 2027

Hybrid Work Model: Summer Interns are expected to be in office 3 days/week. We will not be able to offer relocation assistance for the summer.

Stipend: This is a paid internship with a stipend equivalent of $10,000.00 paid bi-weekly over the course of the assignment.

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

The incumbent will not qualify as an employee, fellow, volunteer, or independent contractor of NRDC, nor will the incumbent be guaranteed employment at the end of the internship term.

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Interns are required to come into the office 3 days a week.

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination. Those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions. NRDC treats all vaccination-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

For more about NRDC, visit

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