What is the Food Energy Water Internship Program?

Have the experience of a lifetime with the Food Energy Water Internship Program. You will work with an organization to dive deeply into topics of Indigenous food systems, tribal water management, energy sovereignty, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, or renewable energy development. Internships are the foundation for a career of action in food, energy, or water. 

Faculty mentors help you confirm internship opportunities with local organizations, Tribal partners, or national groups. You will receive hourly pay and a living stipend during your internship so that you can focus on the experience. 

Students doing work on a crop field

How to apply

Applications open every spring semester and will be advertised via campus email. Watch your inbox for announcements and reach out to Becky Clausen with any questions.

Contact Becky Clausen

Students smiling on a river in a boat

Get course credit

Many departments include an internship experience as part of the degree pathway. Ask your academic advisor or department chair if this internship counts for course credit in your program. 

  • Environmental Conservation & Management 
  • Environmental Science 
  • Regenerative Food Systems Certificate 
  • Sociology & Human Services

Our funders

This program is made possible by grants and donations from a broad coalition of funders. Support our future leaders and give today.

Donate

NATIVE AMERICAN AGRICULTURE FUND logo
Climate hubs logo

Previous Awardees

Kiera McCabe (Diné)

Kiera McCabe (Diné)

Kiera McCabe (Diné) used her internship funding to start her own farming enterprise on the Navajo Nation near Shiprock, NM called Skoden Farm.

“As the founder of Skoden Farm, I lead a Navajo owned agricultural business focused on growing traditional organic crops, especially blue corn, and creating value-added products like snacks. My work is guided by a commitment to Indigenous food sovereignty, cultural preservation, and sustainable land stewardship.”

Lucinda Young (Oglala Lakota Sioux)

Lucinda Young (Oglala Lakota Sioux)

Lucinda Young (Oglala Lakota Sioux) completed her internship with Sicangu Rosebud Farm and Sicangu Wolakota Buffalo Range in South Dakota on buffalo restoration/revitalization.

“It felt like a homecoming in a way I have never known before. I felt closer to everything meaningful in my life. I could feel my ancestors in the earth and the history of my people in everything around me. I saw the beauty of the sandhills and grasslands. Wildflowers everywhere, endless skies, birdsong at every hour, and the most majestic and magical of all, Buffalo!”

Luke Wasem

Luke Wasem

Luke Wasem completed an internship with San Juan Citizens Alliance.

“My experience with the San Juan Citizens Alliance has show me a new side of fighting for environmental justice through the balance of community engagement, policy work, and scientific research and analysis.”

Rian Stanley (Diné/Navajo)

Rian Stanley (Diné/Navajo)

Rian Stanley (Diné/Navajo) completed his internship at Sixth World Solutions on the Navajo Nation. He said,

“It’s been a life-changing experience. I realized that valuable things require time, patience with what you have, and reclaiming Indigenous systems into science.”

Staff & faculty