Climate Scholars

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, Brookings Institute, Climate Reality Project, Ernst & Young, American Enterprise Institute, U.S. Forest Service, and The Climate Initiative, among others. 

Each internship starts on or around June 1 and ends on or around August 1. Climate Scholars are given a $5,000 stipend to defray living and travel expenses during the two-month internship.

Qualifications

The Climate Scholars program is open to all current undergraduate and graduate students attending 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. Scholars must also be in good academic standing at the time of applying and continue to be enrolled as full-time students during the fall semester after 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 now. Deadline to apply is December 8, 2023. A complete application includes the following:

  • A current curriculum vitae

  • An academic transcript (can be unofficial) showing grades through the most recent semester for which final grades are available. Graduate students should also send a transcript for their undergraduate studies.

  • An essay of no more than 500 words about why you want to be a 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.

*Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.