Apply Now for Summer 2026
Applications are due March 29, 2026
Program Overview
Join a collaborative, full-time summer cohort dedicated to tackling climate and sustainability challenges at MIT!
This 10-week, paid program—hosted by the MIT Office of Sustainability (MITOS)—gives students the opportunity to work on real-world decarbonization, resilience, and climate action projects, leveraging MIT’s campus as a test bed for sustainability innovation. Participants collaborate with MIT staff, faculty, and community partners on applied sustainability initiatives grounded in real campus systems, building technical, analytical, and communication skills while gaining insight into how large institutions approach complex climate and environmental challenges.
Throughout the summer, students take on meaningful project work, receive regular feedback from MITOS staff mentors, and participate in facilitated reflection sessions and mid- and end-of-summer check-ins designed to support learning and professional growth. In addition to project work, the cohort experience includes professional development programming, peer learning, and community engagement.
Sustainability Projects
Students will be matched to projects based on their interests, experience, and the programmatic needs of the MIT Office of Sustainability. Summer 2026 projects are expected to explore topics such as campus heat resilience, peak energy demand, water stewardship and cooling infrastructure, emerging building electrification technologies, and campus food systems and community agriculture. Specific project scopes will be refined this spring in coordination with campus partners, and additional details will be shared as they are confirmed. Students join existing initiatives and contribute to clearly defined applied projects aligned with MITOS priorities; projects are structured to match student skill sets with office needs rather than designed independently by participants.
Program Structure & Expectations
As a member of this immersive cohort experience, you’ll gain hands-on project management and research experience, engage in community impact, and build valuable professional and peer connections. All cohort members are expected to participate fully in both their sustainability projects and the additional programming that makes this a uniquely collaborative and enriching experience.
- Sustainability Projects – Students will be matched to projects based on their interests, experience, and the programmatic needs of MITOS.
- Community Impact – Work with local organizations (e.g. City Sprouts) to connect research with real-world impact.
- Workshops & Career Development – Climate careers, leadership, and systems thinking sessions.
- Networking & Social Events – Build connections with peers and sustainability leaders.
This structured experience ensures you gain paid, hands-on experience while also developing the skills, networks, and perspectives to drive sustainability impact.
Program Details
Dates: June 2 – August 8, 2025 (10 weeks)
Location: MIT Building E38-346, Cambridge, MA (M-Th on campus, Fridays remote)
Time Commitment: Full-time (40 hours/week)
Compensation: Hourly pay based on class year (ranges from $17 - $20/hr).
Who Should Apply?
We welcome MIT-affiliated students from all majors and backgrounds with an interest in sustainability, climate action, and applied problem-solving. Ideal candidates will have:
- Strong interest in climate and sustainability challenges and a desire to apply their skills to real-world projects in an urban campus setting.
- Alignment with MIT’s values, and commitment to collaboration, innovation, and responsibility in addressing complex global challenges.
- The ability to work independently and in teams, engaging with MIT staff, faculty, peers, and external partners.
- Strong communication skills, including the ability to present findings clearly in written, visual, and oral formats.
- Experience with data collection, management, and analysis (Excel proficiency preferred).
- Self-motivation, curiosity, and eagerness to learn.
- Coursework, projects, or experience related to sustainability, climate, or systems thinking in areas such as:
- Energy, materials, and building sustainability
- Land, water, and food systems
- Urban planning, environmental policy, and public health
- Data science, engineering, architecture, and design
We encourage students from all disciplines to apply—climate and sustainability solutions require diverse skill sets and perspectives!
*Graduate student applicants should confirm with their department administrator that the hourly work for this position aligns with their term-based appointments as well as Graduate Student Appointment Policies
How to Apply
Applications are due March 29, 2026.
Questions? Email: mitosjobs@mit.edu.