Earth5R internships have evolved into a mentored fellowship
Every Earth5R internship now comes with a mentor. Interns work on a live Earth5R project and take part in research conversations with professors at leading universities. Our internships run through FIELDWORK, a paid fellowship for school and university students.
Internship fellowships in research, data science and AI, environment and sustainability. Online, with field work near where you live. FIELDWORK fellows intern with Earth5R on its live projects. The fellowship is paid because every fellow receives time and attention from senior researchers and leaders.
How our internships have grown
For more than ten years, Earth5R has offered internships to young people across India and internationally. Interns ran clean-ups, waste trainings and field surveys in their own neighbourhoods, and helped build the community network behind Earth5R’s work.
How the internship has evolved
Earth5R’s work now involves live research, verified field data and conversations with researchers around the world. To give every intern a mentor and this level of support, our internship has become a mentor-based fellowship. The fellowship is paid because each fellow receives live mentoring, dialogues with global researchers, support in the field, references and lifelong hosting of their work.
What you get as an Earth5R fellow
FIELDWORK is open to school and university students. It prepares you for university, postgraduate study and work.
Your own mentor
A mentor guides you through each step of your project and checks your work.
A live Earth5R project
You work on a real environmental project, in your field of study.
Research conversations
You take part in conversations with professors at MIT, Oxford, Cambridge, LSE and other universities, and ask your own questions.
Field research
You collect real data near where you live, with Earth5R’s app and data forms.
An internship on our projects
Fellows intern with Earth5R on its live projects.
Certificate and proof of work
A certificate, a letter of recommendation, a project report and a verified profile on earth5r.org.
Help with applications
Guidance on presenting your work in applications for university, postgraduate study or jobs.
Long-term support
Support and references for up to ten years after the programme, depending on the fellowship.
What your fellowship fee pays for
An internship fellowship at Earth5R is time and attention from senior researchers and leaders. Each part below takes staff time and resources that we set aside for every fellow.
Live mentoring with experts
One-to-one mentoring in most fellowships, with regular check-ins on your project.
Dialogues with global researchers
Academics from international universities and renowned scientists, who answer your questions and discuss your work.
Support in the field
Guidance while you collect data and work on your project in the field.
References for your next step
References when you apply for jobs, higher studies and research programmes.
Your work, hosted for life
Your work and data stay on Earth5R’s website and servers for life, where universities and employers can check them.
Time from senior people
Each fellow receives time and attention from senior researchers and leaders, set aside for them.
Fee details available on request.
Where fellows intern
Fellows intern on Earth5R’s live projects in these areas, online and in the field. See internship fellowships in 38 subjects.
Data science and AI internship fellowship
Work with Earth5R’s field data and AI-powered research tools.
Apply →
Environmental internship fellowship
Field work on waste, water and climate projects near where you live.
Apply →
Sustainability internship fellowship
Sustainability and climate policy research with Earth5R’s team.
Apply →Choose your fellowship
The fee pays for live mentoring, dialogues with global researchers, support in the field, references and lifelong hosting of your work. Fee details available on request.
Earth5R internships: common questions
How do I get an internship at Earth5R?
Apply for a FIELDWORK fellowship. Earth5R internships now run through the fellowship, so every intern has a mentor and works on a live Earth5R project.
Who can apply?
School and university students, from India and other countries. The fellowship prepares you for university, postgraduate study and work.
Can I do the internship fellowship remotely?
Yes. FIELDWORK runs online, and field work takes place near where you live.
Do I get a certificate for the internship fellowship?
Yes. Every fellow receives a certificate, a letter of recommendation, a project report and a verified profile on earth5r.org.
Why is the fellowship paid?
Every fellow receives time and attention from senior researchers and leaders. The fee covers:
- live mentoring with experts, one-to-one in most fellowships, with regular check-ins
- dialogues with global researchers, academics from international universities and renowned scientists
- support in the field while you work on your project
- references when you apply for jobs, higher studies and research programmes
- your work and data, hosted on Earth5R’s website and servers for life
Each of these takes staff time and resources set aside for every fellow. Fee details are available on request.
How do I apply?
Fill in the short form at earth5r.org/fieldwork/apply. We then set up a meeting to go through the programme with you.
Internship fellowships in 38 subjects
FIELDWORK fellows work on Earth5R’s live sustainability projects through their own subject. These are the projects available in each field. Open a subject to see its projects, field work and the universities known for it. Your mentor shapes the final project with you.
Technology and data
Available projects: Train simple models on Earth5R’s field data, for example to sort waste images or spot pollution hotspots, and test how well they work.
You build: Applied machine learning on real environmental data, for a Master’s in AI or a tech role.
Available projects: Clean and analyse field data on waste, water and air, then turn it into charts and short reports.
You build: Python, statistics and data storytelling on a real dataset.
Available projects: Design and prototype small tools for field data collection and simple dashboards, and test them with users.
You build: Product building and user testing on a live problem.
Available projects: Map waste points, green cover or flood-prone streets in your city, using geo-tagged field data and satellite images.
You build: Mapping skills used in climate, planning and ESG work.
Engineering
Available projects: Study how a solar-powered river-cleaning machine works, map its design and propose improvements for Indian conditions.
You build: Design thinking and field testing, for an engineering Master’s or an industry role.
Available projects: Survey drainage, flooding or construction waste in your area, and design low-cost fixes.
You build: Site surveys and infrastructure design for climate resilience.
Available projects: Study solar power and energy use in homes, schools or small shops, and design energy-saving or sensor solutions on paper.
You build: Renewable energy and sensor design on a real problem.
Available projects: Study how plastic, organic and electronic waste is processed and recycled, and compare the emissions of each route.
You build: Process thinking and life-cycle comparison.
Available projects: Measure waste, water use or air quality in your area, and design ways to treat or reduce it.
You build: Core environmental engineering practice with real measurements.
Natural sciences
Available projects: Run field surveys on waste, water and green cover, and write up your findings with your mentor.
You build: Field research methods and a verified research record.
Available projects: Track local heat, rainfall or air pollution data and link it to the climate risks set out in IPCC reports.
You build: Climate data skills, with research conversations with climate scientists.
Available projects: Record trees, birds and plants in urban green spaces, and study the effect of native plantations.
You build: Biodiversity survey methods and ecological analysis.
Available projects: Study the chemistry behind composting, plastic recycling and water pollution, using Earth5R’s data and published research.
You build: Applied chemistry for green chemistry or materials study.
Available projects: Study composting, biodegradation and bio-based materials, and compare options for city waste.
You build: Applied biotechnology for the circular economy.
Available projects: Study land use, rivers and urban growth in your area, using maps and field visits.
You build: Spatial analysis and field observation.
Available projects: Study a local river, lake or water supply, map pollution sources and propose catchment solutions.
You build: Water management skills drawn from Earth5R’s river work.
Available projects: Study composting, urban farming or soil health, and the carbon impact of farming practices.
You build: Sustainable agriculture and carbon accounting basics.
Business, economics and finance
Available projects: Analyse how a company or market can cut waste or emissions, and build a simple business case.
You build: Sustainability strategy, a growing need in every company.
Available projects: Cost a local environmental problem and its solution, such as waste collection or water loss, and compare the options.
You build: Applied economics on a real problem, for a Master’s or a policy role.
Available projects: Read company sustainability reports, compare ESG data and study climate risk with Earth5R’s ESG team.
You build: ESG analysis, a fast-growing skill in finance.
Available projects: Plan and test campaigns that get people to segregate waste or save water, and measure what works.
You build: Behaviour-change marketing with measured results.
Available projects: Design employee volunteering and sustainability training programmes for companies.
You build: People and culture skills for sustainability roles.
Available projects: Map how waste and recyclables move from homes to recyclers, and find where material is lost.
You build: Circular supply chain analysis.
Available projects: Turn a problem you found in the field into a startup idea, test it with users and pitch it.
You build: Startup basics and pitching, with a tested idea in the Advanced Fellowship.
Design and the built environment
Available projects: Study heat, light and energy in buildings near you, and design low-cost passive cooling or green building changes.
You build: Sustainable design guided by Earth5R’s environmental architect.
Available projects: Map waste, transport or green space in a neighbourhood, and plan improvements with residents.
You build: Planning skills grounded in community field work.
Available projects: Design products from recycled material or redesign packaging to cut waste, and test prototypes.
You build: Circular design and prototyping.
Available projects: Study textile waste, upcycling and the footprint of fabrics, and design upcycled products.
You build: Sustainable fashion and material knowledge.
Social sciences, policy and law
Available projects: Study a city or national environmental policy, see how it works on the ground, and write a policy note.
You build: Policy research and writing for a Master’s or a policy career.
Available projects: Link a local project to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and compare it with programmes in other countries.
You build: Global development thinking grounded in field work.
Available projects: Run community surveys and trainings on waste and health, and study what helps people change habits.
You build: Community research and engagement skills.
Available projects: Study why people do or do not segregate waste or save energy, and test simple nudges.
You build: Applied behavioural science with real data.
Available projects: Study environmental laws such as waste and plastic rules, check how they are applied locally, and write a legal brief.
You build: Environmental law research and drafting.
Available projects: Design and run sustainability lessons or workshops for children and communities.
You build: Curriculum design and facilitation.
Health
Available projects: Study links between waste, water, air pollution and health in a community, using field data.
You build: Public health research methods on a live problem.
Available projects: Study food waste, diets and nutrition in a community, and how they link to climate.
You build: Nutrition research with a climate lens.
Media and communication
Available projects: Report and write stories from the field, and help publish research conversations with professors.
You build: Reporting and writing with published work.
Available projects: Document field work in photos and short films, and edit podcast clips.
You build: A portfolio of published visual work.
Start your Earth5R internship fellowship
For school and university students. Work on a live Earth5R project with a mentor, hold dialogues with global researchers, and intern with us on our projects, with references and your work hosted for life.
