Student Training & Engagement

UVA's Environmental  Institute believes in real-world training and education for the environmental leaders of tomorrow. The Institute trains the next generation in integrative research and how it can be used to implement solutions.

Unique opportunities for students at UVA include research fellowships, summer internships, interdisciplinary research opportunities, and more. Explore the programs below.

UVA summer intern holding sea grass

Internships

10-week summer internships 

Learn More
students study in library

Solutions Lab

Year‑long, paid, industry‑integrated experience for student teams

Read about the Solutions Lab
UVA Student, Lauren, in the Library

Externships

J-Term opportunity to shadow workplace mentors

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Student discussing with peers

Environmental Futures Fellows

Summer funding for ongoing graduate student research

Be a Futures Fellow
Student & Faculty Lacy Hall

Decarbonization Corps

Faculty-led, student-supported summer projects

Read about the Decarb Corps

Read more about ERI student experiences in these articles

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Jack Boyle biking by partk entrance

UVA grad student bikes from Montreal to NYC, making friends along the way

Jack Boyle, a doctoral student in environmental sciences and an Environmental Futures Fellow, recently pedaled from Montreal to New York City.
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students walking on Grounds

Internship Cohort Summer 2026 Announced

The Institute awarded eleven paid summer internships to UVA students for environmental, climate change, and sustainability work in 2026.
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Rotunda to the Lawn

The Environmental Institute Names 2026 Environmental Futures Fellows Tackling Climate Risks Globally

Three graduate students will spend the summer researching some of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, from climate vulnerability in Rio’s neighborhoods, to wetland impacts from Northern Virginia data centers...
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Chris Babcock at his computer

Meet the UVA Student Researching the Intersection of Women Leaders, Climate, and Global Impact

Chris Babcock is a PhD student helping lead a global study in vulnerable regions of India to improve communities’ responses to climate change.
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illustrated graphic of magnifying glass over data

This Hoo seeks the stories lurking in environmental data

Graduate student Elisabeth Doty combines her passions for environmental science and data to tell climate-related stories.
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audience watches panelists at the Env Futures Forum

Environmental Futures Forum Gives Researchers a Platform to Share

Over two days, the Forum featured discussions, interdisciplinary collaborations, and innovative new research from across the University.
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student monitors and tests water

2025 Summer Intern Cohort Heads Off to Sustainability and Resilience Jobs

The Institute awarded nine paid summer internships to UVA students for environmental, climate change, and sustainability work in 2025.
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decarbonization research science

Innovative Solutions for a More Sustainable Future Through the Decarbonization Corps 2024-2025

This year’s Decarbonization Corps connects students, researchers, and industry partners to find solutions to problems like sustainable building materials, battery recycling, and reforestation efforts.
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students walk in single file over snow

UVA Students Pursue Studies to the Arctic Circle

UVA students get hands-on experience addressing the effects of melting snow in Alaska’s northernmost town. This work is included in the Institute's Climate Collaborative team.
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Faculty lead translational research as part of Decarbonization Corps

Three of the six projects from the EI Decarbonization Corps program this academic year focus on sustainable and resilient architecture, housing, and building solutions.