Now in its seventh year, the Energy Internship Program helps Duke students discover summer opportunities across the energy sector, including at start-ups, utilities, renewable energy developers, large firms, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. Many listings are submitted by Duke alumni who are eager to help develop new talent for the sector. Offered by the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, the program also provides financial support so that Duke students can accept unpaid or low-paying internships—such as positions at small start-up companies or nonprofits. In partnership with the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project, the program also supports research projects on energy access or energy transitions in low- and middle-income countries. In summer 2025, 22 students at Fuqua School of Business, Nicholas School of the Environment, Pratt School of Engineering and Trinity College of Arts and Sciences were awarded funding by the program—many for positions in the cleantech innovation ecosystem. Duke students eagerly took part in projects like selecting a cleantech accelerator’s next cohort, using emerging AI tools to improve deal flows for venture capital, designing quantum gravimeters for exploring critical minerals and developing strategic roadmaps for expanding electrification in West Africa. READ MORE.
Photo: The Energy Internship Program funded undergraduate Owen Dong (second from left) to work with Energicity, a rural electricity service provider in West Africa.