Developing the next generation of resilience leaders
The Earth Grant program is a year-long leadership development program for a diverse cohort of select UArizona students passionate about environmental and community resilience. Individually, each student is matched with a mentor working in their field of interest for a 5-20 hr/week paid internship. As a cohort, students engage in weekly activities to gain cross-sector leadership skills within a supportive peer group. By the end of the program year, Earth Grant students have contributed to real-world outcomes for people and the planet, gained career-ready leadership and professional skills, and formed lasting relationships within a growing peer-mentor network.
The Earth Grant program is now accepting student applications for the 2025-26 cohort!
Review the FAQs for Students below before applying
Email jessicapestrada@arizona.edu with any questions about the process
Join the virtual info session on May 8 at 2pm to learn more about the program!
FAQs for Students
Earth Grant applicants must be:
- Undergraduate students or accelerated master's program students in their 5th year, in any major
- Enrolled for at least 6 units of credit at the University of Arizona for Fall 2025, planning on being enrolled in at least 6 credits for Spring 2026
- Eligible to work in the United States. International students should consult with International Student Services (ISS) if work authorization is needed before securing an internship. ISS advising information can be found here.
- Living in Tucson during the 2025-26 academic year
- Passionate about environmental and community resilience
- Able to participate for the duration of the 2025-2026 academic year in their internship
- Able to enroll in at least one semester of the Earth Grant course (Fridays 1-2:50pm) but are encouraged to participate during both semesters
Students with underrepresented identities in environmental fields are encouraged to apply, including students of color, first generation college students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities.
Each Earth Grant student is placed in a 5-20 hr/week paid internship in the student's realm of professional interest for the academic year. They will work closely with a mentor that will support their work throughout the year. Through this internship, students take the lead on specific projects as well as provide general support at the internship organization and build relationships with other professionals.
Additionally, Earth Grant students meet weekly as a group for facilitated activities, guest presentations, and discussions related to leadership, communication, problem solving, career planning, social and environmental issues, and diverse representation in environmental fields. One reflection or practice assignment will be given each week in preparation to the week's topic. Two meetings per semester are dedicated to community building activities, and students are encouraged to build supportive relationships with others in the cohort.
Students are paid $19/hr for internship hours worked, and receive two academic credits each semester for their participation in the Earth Grant course (weekly cohort meetings, Fridays 1-2:50pm). Students may additionally receive internship credit through their home department for their Earth Grant internship. Talk with your academic advisor for information and requirements to receive internship credit, as requirements differ by department.
Students gain real world professional experience related to their specific environmental interests, the ability to make real impact related to the Earth and society, comprehensive leadership training, and lasting relationships with other environmentally-focused students in a supportive environment. Additionally, students join a lasting network of other current and emerging environmental leaders, who stay connected after the program year through annual events, social media and the Earth Grant e-newsletter.
Student applications open April 4, 2025 and are due Monday, June 2, 2025, 5pm AZ time.
Here's the application submittal and review process:
- Review all program information and internship descriptions. Please direct any questions about eligibility or program details to Program Coordinator, Jessica Estrada at jessicapestrada@arizona.edu
- Complete and submit the application online.
- Application will include:
- Student Information, Personal statement video, Internship qualifications and interests, Internship selections (pick your top three internship choices if selected for the program)
- Application will include:
- The first round of application review will begin June 3, 2025 - An internal committee will review all student applications for the following criteria:
- Demonstrates knowledge and interest in issues related to environmental and community resilience.
- Describes skills and/or knowledge gained from previous work/volunteer/school experiences that would contribute to success at an Earth Grant internship.
- Based on described previous experiences and personal identities, would bring a unique perspective to the student cohort and to environmental resilience work.
- All student applicants will be notified via email by Monday, June 23 regarding the status of their application.
- If your application is selected to move on to round two, you will then be invited to schedule a 30 minute zoom interview with one or more potential mentors between June 24 to July 16.
- The interview will be brief, informal zoom conversation to learn more about the internship, and assess general compatibility with the team and position.
- If your application is selected to move on to round two, you will then be invited to schedule a 30 minute zoom interview with one or more potential mentors between June 24 to July 16.
- Lastly, applicants will be notified via email regarding their final acceptance to the program and internship placement by July 25, 2025.
- Note- being invited to an interview does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
Weekly cohort activities are in person on the University campus. Internship activities may be virtual, in person, or a mix of both, dependent on the specific internship position.
Earth Grant internships are real jobs. You are contributing to projects with real-world impact, working alongside other professionals, reporting hourly time and paid an hourly wage. Although Earth Grant students may work a second job while participating in the program, applicants are encouraged to seriously consider their course load and work-life balance when considering this program.
Please note that an undergraduate students may work no more than 25 hours per week, per UA policy. International undergraduate students may work no more than 20 hours per week. For example, if a student already has a 10hr/week job on campus, they could be employed up to 15hrs/week maximum in an Earth Grant internship.
April 4, 2025
Student application portal opens
May 8, 2025, 2:00-3:00pm AZ time
Info webinar for students, no registration required. Link to join:
https://arizona.zoom.us/j/4869093630
Monday, June 2, 2025
Student applications due
By June 23, 2025
Students will be notified whether their application has been accepted for consideration and moved to Round 2. If so, the student may be invited to schedule an interview with one or more potential internship mentors.
June 24, 2025 - July 16, 2025
Window for student-mentor virtual interviews
By July 25, 2025
Students receive final notification of acceptance to the program and internship placement
Week of Aug 25, 2025
Weekly Earth Grant student cohort meetings begin, Fridays 1:00-2:50pm
Friday Sept 5, 2025 1:00-2:30pm
Orientation meeting with all mentors and students
Sept 8, 2025
Internships begin
May 14, 2026
Internships end
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Inspired by the models of the NASA Space Grant and NOAA Sea Grant programs, Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR) at the University of Arizona launched the Earth Grant program in 2021 to support emerging environmental and community resilience leaders across sectors – in the streets, in research labs, in non-profit organizations, and in government.
At University of Arizona, we know our diversity is our strength. As both a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and home to fourteen Student Resource Centers that provide culturally relevant student engagement and support programs, we create intentional spaces where Wildcats with underrepresented identities in environmental professions can grow, learn, and thrive. Additionally, this program leverages AIR’s existing network of multidisciplinary faculty, community stakeholders, private industry, and nonprofit agencies, to provide a diversity of professional environmental spaces and strategies where Earth Grant students can get involved.
Donations directly support paid internships for underrepresented students. Make sure to designate your gift to “Earth Grant.”
