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.