The Resources for the Future (RFF) Summer Research Internship Program is now accepting applications for its highly competitive Summer 2026 cohort. This program offers an exceptional opportunity for students interested in environmental economics, policy research, energy systems, climate policy, or natural resource management to gain hands-on experience with one of the world’s leading environmental research institutes.
Running from June 15 to August 21, 2026, the internship is based on-site in Washington, DC, with flexibility in start and end dates for selected candidates.
RFF’s summer internship program prepares students for research careers that contribute to rigorous, impartial, and policy-relevant analysis. Interns work directly with RFF Fellows and research teams, contributing to impactful projects that advance better environmental, energy, and natural resource decision-making.
Why Intern with Resources for the Future (RFF)?
Interns become essential members of RFF’s Research and Policy Engagement team, supporting data analysis, modeling, literature reviews, policy evaluation, and research publications. The program also offers:
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Seminars and research presentations with RFF scholars
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Coffee chats and networking events
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A DC-wide external intern event for cross-organizational connections
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End-of-summer project presentations
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Opportunities to continue collaborating on academic papers or reports
RFF also welcomes a limited number of externally funded interns from universities studying environmental economics, climate policy, or related areas.
Summer 2026 Internship Projects
Below are the confirmed research projects for 2026. Each includes direct collaboration with RFF Fellows and the potential to contribute to papers, models, data tools, or policy briefs.
1. Analyzing European Emissions Trading Data
Work with EU ETS datasets, prepare facility-level analysis, integrate multiple data sources, and explore insights from global emissions trading systems.
Open to undergraduates and graduates.
2. Power Sector Model Development
Support enhancements to the E4ST power sector model, improve policy simulations, and analyze electrification and data center–driven demand trends.
Open to undergraduates and graduates.
3. Analysis of Fossil Fuel Community Support Programs
Review US state and local programs aiding fossil fuel–dependent regions, supporting research on equitable net-zero transitions.
4. Econometric Research on Household Energy Affordability
Analyze customer-level electricity data, explore affordability challenges, and contribute to an academic research paper.
5. Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Model Development
Build and refine models within RFF’s FLEET system, exploring trucking sector transitions and transportation policies.
6. State-Level Critical Minerals Policies
Examine how US states support critical minerals supply chains—mining, battery manufacturing, magnet materials—and contribute to an interactive data tool.
7. Evaluating Electricity Market Tools
Compare models assessing capacity markets and resource adequacy; support creation of new analytical tools or integration of existing ones.
8. Air Conditioning, Extreme Heat & Vulnerability
Develop datasets on extreme heat exposure, AC penetration, and climate vulnerability, using administrative data and potentially machine learning techniques.
Contingent on funding availability.
Eligibility
RFF internships are primarily geared toward graduate students (Master’s or PhD), though certain roles are open to advanced undergraduates. Specific requirements vary across projects.
Compensation
All internships are paid, with a sliding scale ranging from
$17.95 to $26 per hour, depending on academic level.
Location
Washington, DC (in-office)
How to Apply
Apply directly using the links provided for each specific internship project on RFF’s website, or browse all openings through the full internship listings.
To know more about such opportunities, click here.
