U21 Sustainable Micro-internships
Searching for an accessible, sustainable and international internship experience? Look no further than the Universitas 21 (U21) Micro-Internships. Every year, U21 offers a series of free, online, international internship opportunities for sustainability-minded students at its member institutions around the world. As a University of Maryland student, you are eligible to participate!
Applications for 2026-2027 will open October 12th
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 2026-2027: 40
Micro-Internship 1
Monday 30 November – Friday 11 December 2026
Theme: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (AI)
Live Sessions:
Monday, November 30, 2026, starting at 10 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
& Wednesday, December 9, 2026, starting at 10 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
Micro-Internship 2
November – Friday 11 December 2026
Theme: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (AI)
Live Sessions:
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, starting at 12 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
& Thursday, December 10, 2026, starting at 12 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
Micro-Internship 3
Monday, January 11 – Friday, January 22, 2027
Theme: SDG 5 – Gender Equality (Sport)
Live Sessions:
Monday, January 11, 2027, starting at 10 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
& Wednesday, January 20, 2027, starting at 10 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
Micro-Internship 4
Monday, January 11 – Friday, January 22, 2027
Theme: SDG 5 – Gender Equality (Sport)
Live Sessions:
Tuesday, January 12, 2027, starting at 12 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
& Thursday, January 21, 2027, starting at 12 p.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
Micro-Internship 5
Monday, February 8 – Friday, February 19, 2027
Theme: SDG 13 – Climate Action
Live Sessions:
Tuesday, February 9, 2027, starting at 12 a.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
& Thursday, February 18, 2027, starting at 12 a.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
Micro-Internship 6
Monday, February 8 – Friday, February 19, 2027
Theme: SDG 13 – Climate Action
Live Sessions:
Tuesday, February 9, 2027, starting at 9 a.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
& Thursday, February 18, 2027, starting at 9 a.m. Maryland Time, 2.5 hours
Participant Reflection
“This programme gave me hands-on experience in international teamwork and leadership. It boosted my confidence to tackle sustainability challenges while connecting me with passionate U21 peers around the globe. Overall, it was an enriching, real-world opportunity that truly prepared me for future global projects.”-25-26 Participant, University of Maryland
Learn more about U21 Sustainable Micro-internships
Learn more about U21 at Maryland
Questions & Contact Information
For general questions, please contact the Global Learning Initiatives team at info-gli@umd.edu.