The Surfrider Foundation is Seeking Coasts and Climate Graduate Interns (Remote) – $7,500 Stipend

The Surfrider Foundation invites applications for the Dillon Henry Memorial Internship for Summer 2026. This remote internship opportunity is hosted within the Coasts and Climate Initiative and is designed for current graduate students seeking practical experience in coastal management policy, legal research, and climate resilience.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to contribute to state coastal resilience policies while receiving a $7,500 stipend to defray living expenses.

About The Surfrider Foundation

The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s ocean, waves, and beaches. Through its Coasts and Climate Initiative, the foundation addresses pressing environmental challenges such as sea level rise and coastal hazards. The organization is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive (JEDI) environment, standing in solidarity with allies to work towards a more just future for the environmental movement.

Internship Overview

The internship is fully Remote and runs for a flexible duration of 10 weeks minimum, starting in June 2026.

• Stipend: The intern will receive a $7,500 stipend payment to defray living expenses.

• Supervision: The intern will work under the direction of Surfrider’s Sr. Manager, Coasts and Climate Initiative.

• Format: The role includes regular Zoom meetings and conference calls.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The intern will support the Coasts and Climate Initiative through a range of technical and policy-focused tasks, including but not limited to:

• Policy Research & Analysis: Conducting in-depth research on state laws, rules, and regulations related to:

  • Sea level rise planning

  • Coastal hazards and development

  • Sediment management

  • Coastal armoring

• Content Creation: Producing written content for Surfrider’s Coastal Blog and other communication platforms regarding climate change and coastal policy.

• Documentation Support: Assisting staff in developing policy documents, comment letters, state-directed memos, and verbal testimony.

• Annual Assessment: Contributing significantly to Surfrider’s annual assessment of state coastal resilience policies.

Eligibility and Academic Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria at the time of application:

• Current Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled in a graduate program focused on coastal policy or environmental management.

• Academic Credit: The intern's completion of the internship must result in academic credit.

  • Note: To comply with DOL and FLSA regulations, Surfrider can only accept interns who receive academic credit. Only the student’s academic institution can determine eligibility.

Required Skills and Competencies

Applicants should demonstrate the following technical and professional skills:

• Passion: A strong commitment to addressing climate change and its impacts on U.S. coasts.

• Policy Knowledge: Knowledge of local, state, and national coastal/ocean policy, with an emphasis on the Coastal Zone Management Act.

• Research Skills: Experience conducting thorough research projects, literature reviews, and policy analysis.

• Communication: Ability to translate complex policy/law findings into common language and communicate effectively (orally and in writing).

• Technical Proficiency: Proficient with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Zoom.

• Independence: Ability to work effectively in a remote, independent environment.

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted via the official application link.

The application package must include:

1. Resume

2. Cover Letter

• Deadline: January 16, 2026

• Note: Phone inquiries and walk-ins are not accepted.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global Intern Desk (GID) is not the seeking organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GID, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.