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Faculty of Graduate Studies

UVic Sustainability Scholars Program

Close up of a hand on a mossy tree trunk.

The UVic Sustainability Scholars Program: leading the way in applied sustainability.

Our paid internships offer graduate students from any discipline the opportunity to advance sustainability research projects for community, Indigenous, government, not-for-profit, and industry partners. 

The UVic Sustainability Scholars Program

Applied research. Real-world impact. Paid graduate internships.

The Sustainability Scholars Program connects graduate students with community, government, Indigenous, industry, and non-profit partners to advance applied sustainability research across the region. Scholars bring strong academic skills, curiosity, and fresh perspectives to meaningful real-world challenges. Partners gain actionable research, added capacity, and support from UVic every step of the way.

Application guide Explore 2026 internships How it works - graduate students Apply Here

Photo of 2025 sustainability scholar, Amy Migneault 2025 Sustainability Scholars Mikayla Mitchell and Amy Migneault worked on the project, Tsawout First Nation Clam Population Assessment for Sustainable Food, Social, and Ceremonial Harvest. View the attached video to get a glimpse of what they worked on and the team they collaborated with from Tsawout First Nation.

Recordings

View 2026 SSP Info Session Recording

View 2026 Résumé & Cover Letter Workshop Recording

Two Pathways

For Graduate Students

  • Paid summer internships | 250 hrs (May 1–Aug 15)

  • Eligibility: UVic grad students (any discipline)

  • Deadline: February 1, 2026

How to apply

  1. Review internships

  2. Prepare cover letter + resume

  3. Submit by Feb 1

View 2026 internships Application guide How it works
For Partner Organizations

  • advance sustainability priorities with rigorous graduate research

  • receive actionable deliverables tailored to your organizational goals

  • UVic supports recruitment, payroll, and program management

Projects should:

  • be research-oriented (not clerical)

  • have clear goals and deliverables

  • fit within 250 hours

Next steps

  • review proposal guidelines

  • draft and submit a proposal by November, 2026

Partner With Us Submit a Project Proposal Proposal Guidelines

Need help?

Send us an email with your ideas, questions or to request more information.

News & Stories

UVic Sustainability Scholars research celebrated
Last fall, graduate students, community partners, and university leaders gathered on campus to celebrate a year of community-engaged research and collaboration. The University of Victoria’s Sustainability Scholars program (SSP) connects graduate students with community partners to advance real-world solutions. Through paid, applied research internships, Scholars work alongside organizations to tackle sustainability challenges while building professional research skills.
See full article
Bracing for rain: sustainability scholar project
Photo of SSP scholar Lily in front of waterfall

Story by Anne MacLaurin

Lily Charette, a Sustainability Scholar and a master’s candidate in UVic geography,  assisted Peninsula Streams Society with their project, Bracing for Rain: A cross-municipal analysis of stormwater policy in the capital region. 

See full article
Earthy Day Feature: Matt Britton, 2024 Sustainability Scholar
Hand holding red berries found in Littlewood forest
UVic School of Public Administration, graduate student, Matt Britton mapped a rare ecological zone for his sustainability scholars internship with Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture
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Feature: Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky, 2024 Sustainability Scholar
Sustainability Scholar Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky tabling about the Climate Equity by Design project at the Oaklands Sunset Market on July 3rd
UVic School of Environmental Studies, graduate student, Sabrina Guzman Skotnitsky created inclusive climate adaptation plans with equity-denied community members as part of her sustainability scholars internship with the Community Social Planning Council of Greater Victoria.
See full article
Driving sustainability forward
UVic Sustainability Scholar, Akash Mohanty, smiling and leaning against a UVic electric car.
Akash Mohanty is one of a dozen students driving sustainability forward on Vancouver Island through the University of Victoria’s Sustainability Scholars program. Credit: UVic Photo Services
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Fostering food independence on Haida Gwaii
Julia Weder, UVic Sustainability Scholar, smiling at a table in a market
UVic Sustainability Scholar, Julia Weder, sits at an engagement booth at Hospital Day, an annual celebratory event in June in Daajing Giids to support community wellness and health. Credit: supplied image
See full article