Institute at Brown for Environment and Society

For STEP Host Organizations

Resources and information for organizations hosting Brown students through IBES’ STEP internship program.

IBES' Student Transformative Engagement Pathways (STEP) program connects organizations working in climate, sustainability, and the environment with talented Brown students eager to contribute to meaningful projects. Brown funds these student internships, giving participating employers additional capacity while helping prepare the next generation of climate and environmental leaders.

Timeline Overview and Next Cycles

Next Cycle: Summer 2027

  • Employer applications due: November 19, 2026
  • Matches announced: March 25, 2027
  • Student acceptance deadline: April 6, 2027
  • Program period: May 24, 2027 to September 3, 2027.

Internship cohorts begin in September, January, and June. Check the SPRINT website for details on future cycles.

Apply now

Examples of Past Projects and Host Organizations

Participating Organizations

  • Alsym Energy
  • Audubon Society
  • Blue Forest
  • Concentro
  • Earth Acre
  • Fuss & O’Neill, Inc
  • Grassroots International
  • Kearsarge Energy
  • Mana Impact
  • Mirico Ltd
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • Reciprocal
  • Suyana Climate Insurance
  • The Ocean Project
     

Examples of Internship Projects

Sustainable Finance, Venture Capital + Impact Investment

  • Conduct due diligence and market analysis
  • Evaluate startups and draft white papers
  • Build financial models and investment memos

Corporate Sustainability

  • Develop and deliver pitches for nature solutions to clients
  • Design new media campaigns and products
  • Draft transparency policies for data centers

Climate Technology

  • Build site localization tool for climate sensors
  • Build frontend tool and validate algorithms

FAQs

Find answers to commonly asked questions about the program.

Your questions answered.

Testimonials

Feedback from the program's inaugural year highlights the value of STEP internships for both students and participating organizations.

  • 93% of students agreed that their internship helped clarify their post-graduation plans.
  • 100% of students recommended their employer hosts for future interns.
  • 100% of employers said their interns met or exceeded expectations and that they would host a Brown student again.

4x growth

From 10 students in 2025 to 40 in 2026

215 applicants

competed for 36 internship spots

29 employers

participated in 2026, across the US and globally

“With this support, I feel confident that I'll be able to make the most of my internship experience -- not just by doing the work, but by having the space to reflect on what I'm learning and explore how I want to carry these skills and experiences forward in my career."

Zoe Moustaka '27 (Applied Math) Internship: Concentro, NY
 
Zoe headshot

“Participating in an internship with Fuss & O'Neill through the STEP program allows me to make an impact on the company's climate footprint through helping with climate resilience and public health research."

Ivan Sun ‘29 (Economics, Public Health) Internship: Fuss & O’Neill
 
Ivan Sun '29