About the Program

U21 Sustainable Micro-internships allow you to work with your fellow students from across the globe and to share knowledge and expertise with them while immersing yourself in an international NGO or a commercial organization. Not only will you form quick partnerships with sustainability-minded students around the world, but you will also challenge your abilities while developing key skills enabling you to thrive in the modern workplace.

This exclusive, free opportunity is only available to students at U21 member universities and is open to students of all disciplines and levels.

Throughout the program participants will engage with and learn from students across the globe spanning 21 countries and 19 time zones. 

Over the two-week program, you will be presented with an ongoing sustainability challenge from your host employer, work in groups to innovate a solution and develop plans to communicate it to the senior stakeholders. The internships involve two 2.5-hour live online synchronous sessions at the start and end of the 2-week program, with the rest of the project work undertaken online asynchronously.

Each two-week micro-internship has a distinct SDG Focus and will run at different times to allow you to participate around your academic and other commitments. 

As a result of the program, you will develop: 

• Agility – your ability to adapt to new environments, to grasp topics outside of your academic field and work with difference.
• International Collaboration – first-hand experience of working across different time zones, languages and cultures, bringing together global knowledge to deliver results for an employer.
• Influence – your ability to build trust and solve complex problems quickly.
• Presentation Skills - your ability to clear convey complex information to your stakeholders.
• Teamwork -your ability to work with a new and globally diverse team to deliver a solution. 

Successful completion of the program and all activities will earn you the Leading Change micro-credential which you can display on your LinkedIn profile, demonstrating that you have developed the skills to tackle complex global issues and stand up as a leader.

Find out more about the U21 Sustainable Micro-internships Program.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to all students currently enrolled at the University of Maryland, including both undergraduate and graduate students, in all academic areas. If the number of applicants exceeds the available slots, priority will be given to undergraduate students in their senior year.

International Students at UMD
International students currently enrolled at UMD on F-1 or J-1 status should carefully review the information below before applying.

Fact Sheet -Non-profit organization and Fair Labor Standards Act

ISSS webpage - Unpaid Work and Volunteering

Statement from U21

"Subject: Volunteer Participation in Universitas 21 Sustainable Micro-Internships 

Students selected to participate in the Universitas 21 (U21) Sustainable Micro-Internships collaborate with organisations categorised as charitable, civic, humanitarian, or similar non-profit organisations providing public service. 

As part of these internships, students work remotely alongside up to 10 other students from diverse countries to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges. Each internship focuses on supporting the mission of a partnering non-profit organisation.  

These activities are unpaid and voluntary, focusing on research, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving to advance public service initiatives. Students will not be engaged in commercial activities or displacing genuine positions but will contribute meaningfully to the missions of these non-profits.  

Details of participating students will not be passed on to hosting organisations, and there is no expectation of the programme providing them with hiring opportunities. 

It is the responsibility of each student to make an informed decision about their participation once matched with an assignment, ensuring that the specific opportunity aligns with the criteria outlined above. "

Upcoming Opportunities

Total available seats for 2025-2026: 40

Micro-Internship 1

Theme – Decent Work and Economic Growth

Dates: Friday, November 28, 2025 – Friday, December 12, 2025 

Live Sessions:

Monday, December 1, 2025, starting at 10 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

& Wednesday, December 10, 2025, starting at 10 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

Micro-Internship 2

Theme – Decent Work and Economic Growth

Dates: Friday, November 28, 2025 – Friday, December 12, 2025 

Live Sessions:

Tuesday, December 1, 2025, starting at 12 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

& Thursday, December 11, starting at 12 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

Micro-Internship 3

Theme – Quality Education

Dates: Friday, January 16 – Friday, January 30, 2026 

Live Sessions:

Monday, January 19, 2026, starting at 10 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

& Wednesday, January 28, 2026, starting at 10 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

Micro-Internship 4

Theme – Quality Education

Dates: Friday, January 16 – Friday, January 30, 2026 

Live Sessions:

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, starting at 12 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

& Thursday, January 29, 2026, starting at 12 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

Micro-Internship 5

Theme – Climate Action

Dates: Friday, January 30 – Friday, February 13, 2026

Live Sessions:

Tuesday, February 3, 2026, starting at 12 a.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

& Thursday, February 12, 2026, starting at 12 a.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours

Micro-Internship 6

Theme – Climate Action

Dates: Friday, January 30 – Friday, February 13, 2026

Live Sessions:

Tuesday, February 3, 2026, starting at 9 a.m. Maryland Time, , 2.5 hours

& Thursday, February 12, 2026, starting at 9 a.m. Maryland Time, , 2.5 hours

Sample Hosts for 2025-2026

SMI 1 – Kalpesh Sangani, Magic Bus India Foundation
Magic Bus India Foundation is a leading non-profit that works with children and young people from underserved communities in India. Through a sports- and activity-based curriculum, it equips them with life skills, education support, and employability training, helping to break the cycle of poverty and enable a successful transition from childhood to livelihood.

SMI 2 – Cristobal Bisso, Generation
Generation is a global non-profit organization dedicated to transforming education-to-employment systems. Operating in over 17 countries, it provides training programs that connect unemployed or underemployed people with meaningful careers. Generation works closely with employers to design job-ready curricula, bridging the gap between skills demand and supply.

SMI 3 – Jack Anderson, Elucidate Education
Elucidate Education is an organization focused on innovative, accessible learning solutions for students and institutions worldwide. It specializes in digital platforms, tailored content, and partnerships that promote educational equity and effectiveness. By leveraging technology and research-driven approaches, Elucidate supports learners in developing the skills needed for academic and professional success. Elucidate is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission.

Learn more about U21 Sustainable Micro-internships

Learn more about U21 at Maryland

Universitas21 Network

Questions & Contact Information

For general questions, please contact the Global Learning Initiatives team at info-gli@umd.edu.