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Baucus Climate Scholars

The Baucus Climate Scholars program is modeled after our successful Baucus Leaders program, and inspired by Max Baucus’ long and distinguished bipartisan record in environmental and natural resources policy. Notably, Senator Baucus sponsored the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments and provided leadership in protecting wild lands along the Rocky Mountain Front. 

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About Climate Scholars

Since 2021, Climate Scholars have worked for organizations such as:

  • The Nature Conservancy (MT & Singapore)

  • International Energy Agency (Paris)

  • The Climate Reality Project (DC)

  • New Leaf Climate (NYC)

  • Centigrade (Bay Area)

  • Disneyland Shanghai

  • South China Morning Post (Hong Kong) 

 

Each internship is full-time and starts on or around June 1 and ends on or around August 1. Baucus Climate Scholars receive at least a $5,000 stipend to defray living and travel expenses during the two-month internship, with some positions receiving more support for international travel and housing. Students who are in DC have the option of group housing at a steeply discounted rate.

Qualifications

The Climate Scholars program is open to current undergraduate and graduate students attending Montana-based colleges and universities. Scholars are selected based on academic performance, commitment to public service, and interest in environmental policy and climate issues. Scholars must also be in good academic standing at the time of applying and be enrolled full-time in the spring semester before their internship. Students from BIPOC, LGBTQ+2S, and under-resourced communities are highly encouraged to apply.

The skills required will vary by organization and year. However, a successful Climate Scholar will be reliable, motivated, and communicative. We encourage our Scholars to get out of their comfort zones, ask questions, and take initiative to learn and grow.

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Previous Climate Scholars projects have included: 

  • Literature reviews

  • Independent research and reporting

  • Collaborating on original research

  • Documentary filmmaking

  • Writing briefs

  • Creating maps

  • Writing recommendations

  • Creating resource packets for educators

  • Assisting with trainings and meetings

  • Creating vulnerability assessments

How to Apply

Applications for Summer 2026 will open in October of 2025. Deadline to apply is Friday, January 23, 2026. A complete application includes the following:

A current resume

Must be up-to date and include all relevant experience

An academic transcript (can be unofficial)

Showing grades through the most recent semester for which final grades are available. Graduate students should also send a transcript for their undergraduate studies.

An essay of no more than 500 words

Tell us why you want to be a Baucus Leader MT, your commitment to/interest in public service, and how you believe you will contribute to the program and to the office where you will intern.

Letter of recommendation

From a person who can speak with personal knowledge about your character and commitment to public service.

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