Note: due to popular demand, the application deadline for 2024 has been extended to December 18! 

The Baucus Climate Scholars program is modeled after our successful Baucus Leaders program, and inspired by Max Baucus' long and distinguished bipartisan record in environmental and natural resources policy. Notably, Senator Baucus sponsored the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and provided leadership in protecting wild lands along the Rocky Mountain Front. 

Since 2021, Climate Scholars have worked for organizations such as The Nature Conservancy, the Brookings Institute, Ernst & Young, the American Enterprise Institute, the U.S. Forest Service, and The Climate Reality Project (founded by former US Vice President Al Gore), among others. 

Each internship is full-time and starts on or around June 1 and ends on or around August 1. Baucus Climate Scholars receive a $5,000 stipend to defray living and travel expenses during their internship. The location will vary by office: some will be in person, some will be remote, and some will be hybrid. We ask that applicants be as flexible as possible and communicative about your needs re the location of your internship. 

Qualifications

The Baucus Climate Scholars program is open to all current undergraduate and graduate students attending a Montana-based college or university. This includes Montana Tribal Colleges, University of Montana, and Montana State University. Scholars are selected based on academic performance, commitment to public service, and interest in environmental policy and climate issues. Students must be in good academic standing at the time of applying and be enrolled as full-time students during the spring semester before their internship. Students from BIPOC, LGBTQ+2S, and under-resourced communities are highly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply 

Applications for Summer 2024 are open! Due date is December 18, 2023. Our application process is online through Submittable.

A complete application includes the following:

• A current resume with contact information (email and phone number).
• An academic transcript showing grades through the most recent semester for which final grades are available. Graduate students should also send a transcript for their undergraduate studies. This can be unofficial. 
• An essay of no more than 500 words about why you want to be a Baucus Climate Scholar, your commitment to/interest in public service, and how you believe you will contribute to the program and to the office where you will intern.
• One letter of recommendation from a person who can speak with personal knowledge about your character and commitment to public service. These letters can come in through the Submittable application, or be emailed directly to mel.brittnerwells[at]umontana.edu.

*Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Institute will select two-to-three finalists for each internship. Finalists will be notified by email of their selection in February. The Baucus Climate Scholar for each placement will be selected by the office. There is NO guarantee that the office will interview finalists in making this determination. A finalist may be required to submit additional application materials to that office.

NOTE: Baucus Climate Scholar selections may extend to the end of Spring semester 2024. 

Further Information

Contact Deputy Director Mel Brittner Wells via email (mel.brittnerwells@umontana.edu) with any questions you have about the program. We look forward to reviewing your application!