Summer 2026 - Natural Resources Paid Summer Internship

Are you interested in natural resources, conservation, and public policy? Apply now through Thursday, January 15, 2026 to the Hal and Jean Glassen Scholars Program.

Next year's program will run from May 11 - Aug 11, 2026. Selected students are placed into a 12-week paid summer internship with a natural resource-related agency or organization in the Greater Lansing area while enrolled in ANR 491 (Natural Resources, Conservation and Environmental Sustainability in Michigan). In addition to a weekly evening class, students participate in educational field trips and a tour of Michigan's Upper Peninsula in early August. The goal of this program is to provide students with exposure to and experience in natural resources policy and conservation in Michigan. 

ELIGIBILITY AND PROGRAM DETAILS

· MSU undergraduate students (any major) are eligible to apply for this program. 

· There are typically 12-16 internships available.

· Students work 29-40 hours per week and earn ~ $2,000 per month.

· Students must enroll in ANR 491 (3 credits) during summer semester.

· Students are responsible for housing and transportation to and from their internship location and weekly class at MSU.

INTERNSHIP INFORMATION

Glassen Scholars complete a 12-week paid internship (May 11 - July 31) based in the Greater Lansing area. Internships have some focus on natural resource policy, conservation, and/or environmental sustainability. Students work 29-40 hours per week (varies by internship sponsor) and earn approximately $2,000 per month. Recent internship sponsors have included:

· Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)

· Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD)

· Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)

· Michigan League of Conservation Voters

· Meridian Township Parks & Recreation

· Michigan United Conservation Clubs

· Office of Senator John Cherry

· National Wild Turkey Federation

· Potter Park Zoo

· US Fish & Wildlife Service

· USGS Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

This is not an exhaustive list and does not reflect all opportunities potentially available. Internship locations for 2026 will be finalized by the time of interviews (see below).

GLASSEN SCHOLARS COURSE

Glassen Scholars must enroll in ANR 491 (Natural Resources, Conservation and Environmental Sustainability in Michigan; 3 credits) during summer semester. This course meets on Tuesday evenings between May 12 and July 28, 2026. Through a series of lectures, guest speakers, and classroom discussion, students cover topics including natural resource management, business, economics, agriculture, parks and recreation, and the role of hunting, fishing, and trapping in conservation.

In addition to weekly class, students participate in natural resource-related field trips and a tour of Michigan's Upper Peninsula from August 3-6, 2026. These experiential learning activities are designed to complement the course curriculum, providing on-the-ground experience with natural resource and conservation-related programs and an opportunity to make professional connections. Transportation, lodging, entrance fees, and most meals during these field trips are covered by the Glassen Scholars Program. 

APPLY TO BE A GLASSEN SCHOLAR!

The Glassen Scholars Program is a competitive process open to MSU undergraduate students (any major).  

· Complete this ONLINE APPLICATION to submit your cover letter, resume, 3 references, and optional writing sample by Thursday, January 15, 2026.

· Applications are reviewed to identify an initial pool of candidates for an informal interview in late January with the Program Director, designed to assess program readiness and alignment with available internship opportunities.

· Applicants selected to move forward in the process participate in more in-depth, formal interviews in February with one or more internship sponsors (placement not guaranteed at this stage). 

· Final internship matches will be confirmed no later than March 25, 2026.

For questions about the program or the application process, please contact the Glassen Scholars Program Director, Dr. Rose Stewart (stewa684@msu.edu).