We offer a limited number of unpaid and paid research and administrative internships for undergraduate and graduate students (including graduate students in law, business, international affairs, and environmental studies) during the fall, spring and summer. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and writing sample ALL TOGETHER IN A SINGLE FILE, in that order. The cover letter should include a distinct list of which internships you are applying for (you may include as many as you’d like). Please submit materials to Nancy Siporin ([email protected]), unless otherwise specified.
Application deadlines are as follows unless otherwise noted (although applications will be considered on a rolling basis):
- Fall semester: September 15
- Spring semester: January 15
- Summer: March 15 (unless otherwise specified)
Candidates must currently be enrolled in a degree program, have astute research, analytical and writing skills, and enjoy working on a team. Students enrolled at other academic institutions may apply for all positions, but only students currently enrolled at Columbia University are eligible to receive payment if selected for a paid position. Candidates must commit to at least 10-15 hours per week for Spring or Fall internships unless otherwise indicated, but more hours are possible. Summer internships are full-time (35-40 hours per week) unless otherwise noted. Continuation into subsequent semesters is possible, and course or academic internship credit can be granted in limited cases.
If you are applying for a paid internship, please indicate if you are work-study eligible (preferred but not required).
Internship opportunities available for Fall 2024 (remote possible):
Unpaid internship: International Investment Law and Policy
CCSI is seeking a JD or LLM student to support a number of projects requiring data-gathering, research and analysis of international trade and investment treaties, treaty-based investor-state arbitration claims, and debates around reform of the investment treaty regime. Possible projects include: research, writing, and analysis on recent trends in treaty drafting and practice, third party funded ISDS cases, ISDS arbitrators and prevalence of double-hatting, and ISDS reform processes at the multilateral level. Familiarity with international investment law and international law more generally is required. Preference will be given to applicants with strong research and writing skills, and attention to detail.
Paid internship: Developing SDG-based Development Plans for Coffee-producing Regions
CCSI, together with several partners including the World Coffee Producers Forum, is working to develop SDG-based development plans for coffee-producing regions. Based on on-the-ground engagements in three coffee producing regions in Latin America, the team will develop multi-sectoral, integrated sustainability plans, with suggestions of corresponding financing. In addition to developing plans in those three sites, the team will produce a guide and tools for other coffee-growing regions to use in the design of their own national sustainability plans. Portuguese fluency is a plus.
Unpaid internship: Nature Financing
CCSI is seeking a highly motivated graduate student to support the Center’s research on nature financing, exploring how investing in nature can help address the commercial and financial risks associated with degrading natural assets, in addition to protecting against biodiversity loss. As biodiversity and ecosystems play an essential role in climate change adaptation, special attention will be dedicated also to climate adaptation finance, unpacking how to mobilize finance for climate adaptation, and what pathways and levers could reorient financial flows to where it is needed. Preference will be given to students with experience or familiarity with investing frameworks, banking and investment products (e.g. debt, equity, bonds).
What CCSI offers: Through the internship experience, interns can expect to make substantive contributions to research and/or administrative activities at CCSI. The internship experience is a mutually beneficial one, and provides interns with opportunities for professional growth and learning. CCSI develops specific terms of reference for every intern each semester, with clear tasks and timelines.
What CCSI looks for: Ideal candidates should be detailed-oriented, well-organized and responsive, and prioritize and carry out tasks with minimal supervision. Candidates should also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Our interns have included both undergraduate and graduate students from Columbia College, Columbia Law School, the School of International and Public Affairs, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Columbia Business School. We also occasionally accept Interns from outside the university.
Visiting Scholars can include international scholars, professors, judges, practitioners, and government officials, as well as doctoral students at the start of their scholarly careers. Visiting Scholars must apply through Columbia Law School’s Visiting Scholars Program. Applications for Visiting Scholars are reviewed three times during the year, corresponding with three program intakes, as follows:
- Fall semester: applications due no later than April 1.
- Spring semester: applications due no later than September 1.
- Summer semester: applications due no later than March 1.