The Heinrich Böll Spring 2027 Climate & Democracy Internship

The Heinrich Böll Foundation Washington, DC is looking for a Climate and Democracy intern. The intern will work closely with the program directors for Transatlantic Democracy and Climate & Environment. The start date for the internship will be March 1, 2027.  

Table of Content

• Summary
• Benefits
• Requirements
• Application Documents
• Application Deadline
• How To Apply

Summary

• Application DeadlineOctober 30, 2026
• Study LevelInternship
• SponsorThe Heinrich Böll Foundation
• Eligible CountryAll Countries

Benefits

• A monthly stipend of $700 for full-time positions and proportionally less for part-time 

• 5 paid vacation days per 3 month period for full-time internships 
• If required, the foundation can cover most costs associated with a J1 visa* 

NOTE: Washington, DC is an expensive city. We encourage all applicants to apply for external funding and scholarships. We also recommend applicants immediately begin looking for housing when they apply. 

*We cannot guarantee approval for a US visa. Please monitor the State Department website for any updates related to your eligibility.  

Requirements

• Experience in the relevant program area? 

• A genuine interest in the values and mission of the foundation 

• Competent command of English (German is not a requirement) 

• A full-time commitment of 40 hours per week for 3 to 6 months (part-time only on a case-by-case basis) 

• At least 2 years of university-level experience? 
• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program OR recent (< 1 year) Bachelor's degree recipients 

Applications from mid-career professionals or applicants who have already completed a Master's or Ph.D. will not be accepted. 

Application Documents

Applicants must submit

• A US-style resume
• Cover letter
• Challenge statement. Please include the challenge statement in the same document as your cover letter. 

Challenge statement: 

Where is democracy working? Governments are struggling to respond to crises that shape people’s daily lives, from climate change and affordability to migration and policing, contributing to declining trust in democratic institutions. In no more than 250 words, identify a recent local example that offers a different way forward. How did a local government or democratic institution work with the people affected to respond differently or more effectively? What can we learn from it? 

Application Deadline

How To Apply

For more information, kindly visit The Heinrich Böll webpage.