The Max Baucus Institute
The Max Baucus Institute invites applications from undergraduate and graduate students attending Montana Tribal Colleges, University of Montana, and Montana State University to be 2024 Baucus Leaders. This is a paid summer internship opportunity in Washington, DC.
The Baucus Institute is a Montana-based nonprofit organization founded on Max's extensive public service career as the longest-serving U.S. Senator for Montana, and the U.S. Ambassador to China. We work to break down barriers so that Montana students can see, serve, and lead locally and throughout the world. We do this through three areas of focus: public service, climate, and U.S.-China relations.
Baucus Leaders DC Program
The Baucus Leaders program is founded on Max's legacy as a U.S. Senator and his desire to get Montana students involved in public service. This program is generously supported by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.
Baucus Leaders are placed with U.S. Senate offices as summer interns. The 2024 Baucus Leader placements are not yet finalized, but will be similar to previous years. Examples of partner organizations include:
- Senator Jon Tester (D–MT)
- Senator Steve Daines (R–MT)
- Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
- Senator Charles Grassley (R–IA)
- Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–NY)
- Senator Chuck Schumer (D–NY)
- Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO)
- Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID)
- The U.S. Senate Finance Committee
Final 2024 Baucus Leader placement opportunities will be announced by the end of February 2024.
Dates & Funding
Each internship will start on or around June 1 and end on or around August 1. In past years, each Baucus Leader has received a $5,000 stipend. (This year we are exploring providing housing and a smaller stipend, but it would be the equivalent of $5,000.) The Baucus Leader will be solely responsible for any expenses incurred during the internship period over and above this amount.
Qualifications
Baucus Leaders are selected based on commitment to service, academic performance, and interest in a public service career (working for a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government, or nonprofit organization). The program is open to all current undergraduate and graduate students at Montana-based colleges and universities. Students must be in good academic standing at the time of applying. Students must be enrolled full-time at a Montana public college or university during Spring Semester 2024. Students from BIPOC, LGBTQ+2S, and marginalized communities are highly encouraged to apply.
Application Materials
- Resume (upload)
- 500 word statement about why you want to be a Baucus Leader and your commitment and interest in public service
- Academic Transcript (can be unofficial)
- A letter of recommendation
Applicant Selection Process
The Institute will select two to three finalists for each internship. Finalists will be notified by email of their selection in late February or early March. The Baucus Leader for each placement will be selected by the DC office. There is NO guarantee that the congressional office or agency will interview finalists in making this determination. A finalist may be required to submit additional application materials to that office.
NOTE: Baucus Leader selections may extend to the end of spring semester 2023.
Applications are due Friday, December 8, 2023 at 5pm MST.
Please contact Deputy Director Mel Brittner Wells via email (mel.brittnerwells@umontana.edu) with any questions you have about the program. We look forward to reviewing your application.
The Max Baucus Institute
The Max Baucus Institute invites applications from undergraduate and graduate students attending Montana Tribal Colleges, University of Montana, and Montana State University to be 2024 Baucus Climate Scholars. This is a paid summer internship opportunity.
The Baucus Institute is a Montana-based nonprofit founded on Max's extensive public service career as the longest-serving U.S. Senator for Montana, and the U.S. Ambassador to China. We work to break down barriers so that Montana students can see, serve, and lead locally and throughout the world. We do this through three areas of focus: public service, climate, and U.S.-China relations.
Baucus Climate Scholars Program
The Baucus Climate Scholars program builds off of Senator Baucus's long and distinguished bipartisan legislative record in environmental and natural resources matters, including his sponsorship of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and his leadership in protecting wild lands along the Rocky Mountain Front. We want to continue this legacy by providing opportunities to students with an interest in natural resources and environmental and climate issues to work with organizations on the frontlines.
Baucus Climate Scholars are placed with host organizations as summer interns. The placements are a mix of in-person and remote work, and will depend on each organization's preferences. In-person work is encouraged when possible. The 2024 Climate Scholar placements is not yet finalized, but will be similar to previous years. Examples of partner organizations include:
- The Nature Conservancy
- The Brookings Institution
- The Climate Reality Project (founded by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore)
- Ernst and Young (sustainability consulting, strategy, & tax)
- The International Energy Agency (Paris, France)
- U.S. Forest Service
- LanzaTech (carbon recycling tech, DC)
- Big Sky Sustainability Network (Big Sky, MT)
Projects that Baucus Climate Scholars have worked on include literature reviews, collaborating on original research, writing research reports and briefs, creating resource packets, creating maps, writing recommendations, and assisting with trainings/meetings.
Dates & Funding
Each internship will start on or around June 1 and end on or around August 1. Baucus Climate Scholars will be given a $5,000 stipend to cover living and travel expenses during their internship. The Baucus Climate Scholar will be solely responsible for any expenses incurred during the internship period over and above this amount.
Qualifications
Baucus Climate Scholars are selected based on commitment to public service, academic performance, and interest in climate change and environmental policy. The program is open to all current undergraduate and graduate students at Montana-based colleges and universities. Students must be in good academic standing at the time of applying and must be enrolled as full-time students at a Montana public college or university during Spring Semester 2024. Students from BIPOC, LGBTQ+2S, and under-resourced communities are highly encouraged to apply.
Application Materials
- Resume (upload)
- 500 word statement about why you want to be a Baucus Climate Scholar & your commitment to/interest in climate change and environmental policy
- Academic Transcript (can be unofficial)
- A letter of recommendation
Applications are due Friday, December 8, 2024 at 5pm MST.
Please contact Deputy Director Mel Brittner Wells via email (mel.brittnerwells@umontana.edu) with any questions you have about the program. We look forward to reviewing your application.
The Max Baucus Institute
The Max S. Baucus Institute invites applications from undergraduate and graduate students attending any Montana-based college or university, including tribal colleges, Montana State University, and University of Montana, to be 2024 Baucus Leaders Montana (MT). This is a paid summer internship opportunity.
The Baucus Institute is a Montana-based nonprofit founded on Max's extensive public service career as the longest-serving U.S. Senator for Montana, and the U.S. Ambassador to China. We work to break down barriers so that Montana students can see, serve, and lead locally and throughout the world. We do this through three areas of focus: public service, climate, and U.S.-China relations.
Baucus Leaders MT Program
The Baucus Leaders MT program is modeled after our Baucus Leaders program in Washington, DC, but with a local focus. This program gives students opportunities to work with Montana-based governmental and nonprofit organizations.
Examples of past student internships include:
- UM's American Indian Governance & Policy Institute
- City of Missoula
- Missoula County
- Montana World Affairs Council
- Montana Nonprofit Association
- Friends of the Children (MT chapter)
- Montana League of Cities & Towns
Dates & Funding
Each fellowship will start on or around June 1 and end on or around August 1, 2023. Baucus Leaders MT will be given a $3,000 stipend to defray the costs of course credit (if you so choose), housing (if necessary) or other related expenses. The Baucus Leader will be solely responsible for any expenses incurred during the experience over and above this amount.
Qualifications
Baucus Leaders MT will be selected based on commitment to public service, academic performance, and interest in Montana's public sector. The program is open to all students currently enrolled (online or in-person) as undergrad or graduate students at a Montana-based college or university. Students must be in good academic standing and continue to be enrolled in Spring Semester 2024. Students from BIPOC, LGBTQ+2S, and under-resourced communities are highly encouraged to apply.
Application Materials
- Resume (upload)
- An academic transcript (this can be unofficial). For graduate students, please include both undergraduate and graduate courses.
- 500 word statement about why you should be selected for Baucus Leaders Montana
- Ranked order preference for placement
- One letter of recommendation from a person who can speak with personal knowledge about your character and commitment to public service. Please note these can be emailed directly to mel.brittnerwells@umontana.edu.
Applications are due Friday, December 8, 2023 at 5pm MST.
Please contact Deputy Director Mel Brittner Wells via email (mel.brittnerwells@umontana.edu) with any questions you have about the program. We look forward to reviewing your application!
A law school student group representative must complete this form for any event sponsored by their student group. It must be submitted two weeks prior to the event or the event will not be approved. The purpose of this form is to coordinate calendaring to avoid conflict with other events, make sure guidelines are followed and give our staff enough time to process requests and prepare for the event. Events will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.
We are pleased that the Alexander Blewett III School of Law may be able to provide the space you require for your event. However, please understand that our priority is our students and their ability to conduct their studies in the best possible environment. We will do everything we can to accommodate your request.
Depending on the purpose of your space requirement, there may be a charge for use of our facility. Please complete this questionnaire and one of our staff will be in touch with you to discuss further.
Networkx is our Career Services Program and job posting site. Employers are welcome to log on, post jobs and follow the application process. As an alternative, if you are uncomfortable creating an account with Networkx, you can fill out this form and we can post a job announcement on Networkx for you. It will expedite the process, however, if you use Networkx directly.