This summer opportunity is part of the UChicago Polsky Summer 2026 Policy Fellowship Program, a new partnership between the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth and the Institute of Politics. All University of Chicago students enrolled in the College are eligible to apply for this external summer internship, funded by the Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Academy. Graduate students are not eligible to apply. The selected student will receive a $6,000 stipend for a minimum of 320 hours or at least 8 weeks of full-time work for the fellowship.
Application Deadline: Monday, March 23, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Location: Wrigley Building, Chicago, IL
Overview of Organization:
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. Working in 70+ countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status, or other status protected by law.
Internship Summary:
The Nature Conservancy helps create, implement, and defend policies to promote conservation and climate action around the world. Our nonpartisan policy solutions are drawn from what we have learned from projects on the ground—guided by partners and grounded in science. The TNC Illinois Government Relations team works on a wide variety of advocacy initiatives at the state, federal, and local levels to strengthen and preserve bedrock conservation, freshwater, and climate protections.
The Advocacy Intern will support the Illinois Government Relations team by conducting policy research, providing campaign management support, and tracking priority legislation. The Advocacy Intern will assist with the creation of various outreach materials to engage and educate key environmental stakeholders. The Advocacy & Policy Intern will have the opportunity to network and meet with a variety of policy, conservation, and climate professionals, including individuals with subject matter expertise in the ecological sciences, political sciences, climate/renewable energy, marketing, and communications sectors. The intern will observe and participate in various stages of the policy development process.
Responsibilities: Under the direction of a supervisor, draft petitions, public comment letters, factsheets, and other materials as needed to support the advocacy goals of the Illinois chapter of The Nature Conservancy.
- Conduct research and write brief reports on specific areas of conservation, freshwater, and climate policy
- Support the supervisor with meeting preparation for a variety of environmental coalition networks and NGO partner organizations
- Aiding the supervisor with occasional outreach to government officials
- Assist supervisor with coalition-file management, creating agendas, managing Zoom/Outlook calendar invites, and other general support tasks
Preferred Qualifications:
- Familiarity with standard desktop applications such as Microsoft Word/Google Docs, Google Drive, PowerPoint/Google Slides, Excel, Canva, Adobe PDF, etc.
- Familiarity with navigating video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, and managing Google Calendar/Outlook Calendar invite series
- Ability to organize and manage a range of diverse activities and tasks. Experience with following instructions independently and working collaboratively with team members in a team setting.
- Coursework, or other related training in public policy, environmental studies, ecology, climate/clean energy, sociology, public health, government relations, marketing, communications, etc.
Eligibility:
- Domestic and international students
- Undergraduate students
About the Supervisor: Ellicia Sanchez joined The Nature Conservancy in Illinois in January 2020. Ellicia graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 2017 with a degree in environmental studies and sustainability. After two years in the communications and broadcast media sector of conservation, Ellicia developed an interest in environmental policy.
As Associate Policy Director at The Nature Conservancy in Illinois, Ellicia’s role centers on managing the chapter’s federal advocacy portfolio and cultivating relationships with the state’s Congressional delegation. Her other professional interests include coalition/legislative campaign management, Great Lakes/freshwater policy, and public funding mechanisms for conservation. Ellicia lives on the north side of Chicago with her partner, two black cats, and spends much of her free time at secondhand bookstores, record shops, and on the Lake Michigan beach.
Location/Modality/Commute: Hybrid in-person/work-from-home schedule. The office is located at the Wrigley Building in downtown Chicago (400 N Michigan Avenue). The Wrigley Building is accessible by multiple CTA transit stops. Intern will be expected to work in-person at the office 2 days out of the week. Supervisor is flexible regarding in-person days and able to adjust and accommodate if necessary. Interns may also receive the option to attend occasional in-person events located elsewhere in Chicago. All in-person events will be accessible via the CTA.
*Note: TNC generally observes a 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. work schedule. Many staff take half-days or full days off on Fridays.
Start/End Date: June 8th – July 31st (flexible on end date, as long as it is in alignment with University program stipulations)
Required Materials:
- Resume
- Cover letter OR brief writing sample (3 pages maximum. School papers encouraged)
Modality Notes
Hybrid in-person/work-from-home schedule. Office is located at the Wrigley Building in downtown Chicago (400 N Michigan Avenue). The Wrigley Building is accessible by multiple CTA transit stops. Intern will be expected to work in-person at the office 2 days out of the week. Supervisor is flexible regarding in-person days, and able to adjust and accommodate if necessary. Intern may also receive the option to attend occasional in-person events located elsewhere in Chicago. All in-person events will be accessible via the CTA.
Commuting Notes
400 N Michigan Avenue Suite 1100 Chicago, IL 60611