Student Fellow: Environmental Policy

Student Fellow: Environmental Policy

Introduction: ACE is seeking Student Policy Fellows to join our Environmental Policy team for Fall 2025. Environmental Policy Fellows are responsible for pitching and authoring two briefs on pressing environmental policies over the course of our Fall 2025 research cycle. Fellows work with teammates and their supervising Research Associate to hone their professional writing and scope of analysis, develop a nuanced understanding of state and federal-level policies, and produce accessible and nonpartisan research to inform voters. Research teams are composed of 3-6 Policy Fellows. ACE’s Fellows are an essential part of our mission to civically engage young voters through accessible, nuanced, and nonpartisan policy research.

The Fall 2025 research cycle runs from September 8th through December 5th, with a one-week break beginning November 24th. 

Detailed Description: Environmental Policy Fellows have the opportunity to pitch and develop two policy briefs on pressing environmental laws or policy issues over the first two months of the fellowship. Each week, fellows will attend a team meeting led by their Research Associate, in which the RA will check in on brief progress and offer opportunities for group discussion and peer review. Fellows will receive weekly feedback on their deliverables from their Research Associate and the ACE Editing Board, and must implement this feedback at each stage of the writing process in order for their briefs to qualify for publication review. In the final month of the research cycle, Fellows will work together with their teammates to pitch and author a more expansive team Joint Report on a pressing environmental policy topic. Fellows who complete their weekly research tasks in less than the allotted ten hours will be invited to participate in other tasks based on their interests and professional goals. 

This position requires an estimated 10 hours per week

• 1 hour: Participating in weekly team meeting
• 6-8 hours: Preparing weekly research deliverable
• 1-2 hours (dependent on research deliverable and fellow interests): Administrative tasks

Desired Skills:

• Policy research experience, especially with a focus on energy, sustainability, conservation, and environment
• In-depth knowledge of environmental policy (as demonstrated in coursework, professional experience, and/or lived experience)
• Prior experience in professional writing (policy memos, research reports, etc.)
• Organized, self-motivated, and able to work with limited supervision

Benefits:

• Professional experience in policy research 
• One-on-one feedback and support
• Network with highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students across the country
• Opportunity to publish 2-3 briefs with trusted public policy resource
• This is an UNPAID role

ACE Fellows have gone on to earn nationally competitive fellowships, work at top think tanks and government agencies, and attend premier public policy, international affairs, and public administration graduate programs. 

Location: This position is a remote role that can be undertaken remotely from anywhere in the U.S. with reliable internet connection.

Academic Credit: This fellowship can be undertaken for academic credit. Some educational institutions require prior approval before the start of an internship. It is the responsibility of the student to check with their institution to be sure they meet any requirements before they accept a position. The Director of Policy Research will communicate with universities to advocate on behalf of academic credit for Research Associates if requested. 

Again, this is an UNPAID position.