This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember your browser. We use this information to improve and customize your browsing experience, for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media, and for marketing purposes. By using this website, you accept and agree to be bound by UVic’s Terms of Use and Protection of Privacy Policy.  If you do not agree to the above, you can configure your browser’s setting to “do not track.”

Skip to main content
People Departments Maps Buildings Rooms A-Z
University
of Victoria
Apply Library
Sign in Online tools Sign out
Faculty of Graduate Studies

For partner organizations

Work with talented UVic graduate students on applied research projects that advance your sustainability priorities and build organizational capacity.

Who we partner with

  • community organizations

  • local and regional governments

  • Indigenous organizations

  • not-for-profit and public sector organizations

Projects should address a clear sustainability-related challenge or opportunity and be suitable for applied research.

Why partner with us

Partnering with Sustainability Scholars allows your organization to:

  • access graduate-level research expertise
    Scholars bring strong analytical skills, academic rigor, and fresh perspectives to applied sustainability work.

  • advance priority sustainability initiatives
    Move forward research, planning, or evaluation work that may otherwise be difficult to resource.

  • mentor emerging sustainability professionals
    Contribute to graduate student learning while shaping practical, real-world research.

  • receive focused project support
    Scholars work exclusively on your project for the duration of the internship.

What a Sustainability Scholars project looks like

Strong projects typically:

  • are applied research–focused (not clerical or operational roles)

  • have a clear scope and defined deliverables

  • can be completed within 250 hours (May 1–August 15)

  • align with your organization’s sustainability goals

Common deliverables include:

  • research or policy reports

  • background analyses or literature reviews

  • strategic recommendations

  • presentations or briefing materials

  • story maps or knowledge synthesis tools

All project deliverables belong to the partner organization.

Program structure & support

The Sustainability Scholars Program provides:

  • support to scope and refine project proposals

  • coordination of recruitment and student hiring

  • payroll administration and program agreements

  • scholar orientation and ongoing check-ins

  • mid-project touchpoints with partners

  • a closing celebration showcasing completed projects

Partners are asked to:

  1. Identify a primary mentor within their organization

  2. Meet regularly with the Scholar

  3. Provide guidance, context, and feedback throughout the project

Timeline

  • call for project proposals: Fall 2026

  • proposal deadline: November, 2026

  • internship period: May 1 – August 15, 2026 (250 hours) 

Costs & funding

The cost of a 250-hour internship to the employer in 2026 is approximately $9,983. This amount varies each year.

Some projects may be eligible for donor funding support. Funding arrangements are discussed during the proposal review process. Donor funding is priorties for Indigenous and not-for-profit organizations.

Ready to get started?

If you have a project idea or would like to explore whether your work is a good fit:

  • contact the Program Manager to discuss your ideas and to request a project proposal template.

Quick facts

  • internship length: 250 hours
  • timing: May–August
  • graduate-level applied sustainability research
  • proposal deadline: November, 2026