Graduate students seeking hands-on experience in sustainability research and practice can now apply for the 2026 Sustainability Catalyst Internships. The program offers paid, part-time summer placements that connect students with organizations across the Greater Toronto Area to address real-world environmental and social challenges.

The initiative is administered by the secretariat of the President’s Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS) at the University of Toronto.

About the Program

The Sustainability Catalyst Internships run annually from May to September. Selected graduate students collaborate with public, private, and non-profit sector partners to tackle applied sustainability projects, while receiving structured support from CECCS staff.

Interns work under the mentorship of host organizations and contribute research expertise to projects ranging from climate resilience and environmental policy to social equity and sustainable infrastructure.

The internship structure ensures support at every stage — from project scoping and recruitment to payroll administration and professional development.

What Interns Do

Projects span a wide range of sustainability themes, including climate action, biodiversity, urban planning, community health, energy systems, and social justice.

Typical responsibilities may include:

• Conducting literature and best-practice reviews

• Designing and analyzing surveys

• Preparing greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories

• Drafting policy briefs and strategic frameworks

• Developing engagement toolkits and action plans

• Performing GIS mapping or community needs assessments

• Conducting feasibility studies and lifecycle costing analyses

Past interns have contributed to municipal climate programs, sustainable healthcare strategies, Indigenous-led energy planning, and urban resilience initiatives.

2026 Internship Opportunities

Projects for 2026 span multiple sectors and host organizations, including:

• Sustainable transportation and cycling infrastructure

• Urban climate resilience and tree maintenance strategies

• Net-zero standards development

• Indigenous-led GIS mapping for land-use planning

• Species at risk policy analysis

• Community garden yield modeling

• Youth green workforce development

• Circular food innovation funding design

• Equity assessments for decarbonization initiatives

Applications may be submitted for multiple roles; however, each project requires a separate application.

• Submit all materials by March 1, 2026 (11:59 PM)

Early submissions are encouraged, as applications received between February 20–28 will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Professional Development Support

Workshops are offered to help applicants strengthen their submissions and interview performance, including:

• Job Applications Workshop & Internship Q&A

• Interview Preparation Workshop

Participation in workshops is recommended but not mandatory.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The Sustainability Catalyst Internships bridge academic research and community impact. By connecting graduate expertise with organizational sustainability priorities, the program supports evidence-based decision-making while preparing emerging professionals for leadership roles in climate and sustainability fields.

For University of Toronto graduate students looking to transform research skills into practical impact, the 2026 Sustainability Catalyst Internships offer a meaningful pathway into the sustainability workforce.