Program Description

The Climate Policy Summer Internship Program is run by the Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability in collaboration with climate-focused legislative offices at the Massachusetts State House. In 2026, the program will facilitate the placement of up to eight Harvard undergraduate or graduate students. Successful applicants will work with participating legislative offices whose policy agenda addresses climate, environmental, or sustainability issues in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program provides professional development opportunities for Harvard Students to explore career pathways at the intersection of climate, policy, and public service. 

Past & Current Legislative Offices

2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026

Information Sessions

The Salata Institute will host 2 Zoom-based information sessions in 2026 to share information about this program with potential applicants. Applicants must attend an information session, or watch the recording in order before applying. An information session recording will be posted on January 30, 2026. To register – select one of the two options below:

Program Features:

Funding: Students selected for an internship through this program will receive a $4,500 stipend.

Housing Assistance: The Salata Institute does not offer housing to students through this program. Qualifying students may be eligible for additional funding to cover housing expenses. Students are responsible for securing their own housing for the duration of the internship program.

Programming: Students selected for the program must participate in bi-weekly programming engaging climate policy practitioners, Harvard faculty, and other educational opportunities. Programming is mostly Zoom-based and occasionally in-person.

Program Hours and Duration

15-20 Hours/week for 10 weeks starting May 26, 2026 – August 7, 2026

All internships will be primarily in-person.

*Depending on the legislative office, some flexibility around start/end dates may be available.

Summer Housing Resources

• Summer Housing – Off Campus
• Harvard University Sublets
• Harvard College Summer Housing
• Graduate School Housing Resources

Program Qualifications

• Undergraduate or graduate student at Harvard University
• Must be returning as an enrolled student during the Fall term following the internship period
• Students must be able to secure housing in the Greater Boston area for the duration of their internship
• Must be able to commute into the Massachusetts State House (24 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02133)
• Must have access to a laptop or personal computer

(!) Harvard College applicants must review the Harvard College Summer Funding Policy (!)

Application Instructions:

• Application Deadline: Sunday, February 22, 2026 (11:59 PM)
• Application Limit: Students should not apply to more than 2 legislative offices

Timeline: Each Legislative Office will review applications and conduct interviews with potential candidates in late February. Internship offers will be extended in late March 2026. The Salata Institute does not guarantee an internship placement for all students who apply through the program.

About the Massachusetts State Legislature:

Legislative sessions in Massachusetts are 2 years long. A new legislative session starts on the first Wednesday in January of the odd-numbered years (2027, 2029 etc.) All formal business of the first year of the session concludes in November of that year. The legislature then sits in an informal session until the first Wednesday of January of the second year (2026, 2028, etc.) when the second year of the session begins.

Students working at the Massachusetts State House should anticipate different kinds of work depending on when their internship takes place relative to the legislative session cycle.

Year 1: Written testimony, attend hearings for bills, develop infographics, support work related to budget debate, etc.

Year 2: Research on current bills, research for new bills for the next session, tracking legislation, tracking amendments, attend briefings, etc.

Learn about the legislative process in Massachusetts.

2026 Participating Legislative Offices:

Coming Soon!

Listings for Summer 2026 will be posted by January 16, 2026

Questions? Contact: oona_gaffney@harvard.edu