All work conducted for the policy project will be done at the 2nd floor library of the Cornell Lab. That is, this internship requires a student to be full-time, in-person (at least 3-days on-site at the Cornell Lab per week) over the summer. No remote option available.

In addition to the policy project, the policy intern will participate in the following engaged activities over the course of the summer:

• Planned time with staff in the following centers: Center for Avian Population Studies, Conservation Media, Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Center for Engagement in Science and Nature, and the Science Communications team.
• A lunch together with Lab of O Director Ian Owens and Brooks Dean Colleen Barry
• A lunch with current MS and PhD students using Cornell Lab data projects in their research programs.
• A meeting with the donors, John Foote and Kristen Rupert, at the end of the summer to describe the internship experience.
• Participation in the Brooks School poster session the following Fall that describes the summer internship for other students interested in applying for this internship experience in future years and Brooks School faculty and alumni.

• Application Eligibility
  Any current undergraduate enrolled in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, and in good academic standing, is eligible to apply.

• Funding Support
  This award will support one undergraduate summer intern awarded a 10-week full-time fellowship with a stipend of $5,000.
• Application Process
  Applicants are required to submit:

• • A one-paragraph Statement of Interest describing how this summer internship will further your Brooks School studies and/or help you be successful in your professional life.
  • Your resume and a copy of your most current transcript.
  • Applications due on February 15, 2026, using this form. Applications will be reviewed, and the internship award will be announced by March 1.
• All students will be required to participate in the “Beyond the Classroom Experience Showcase” in Fall of the following academic year.

This internship opportunity is administered by the Brooks School Admissions, Student Services, and Career Management Office.

For questions, contact:
brookscareers@cornell.edu

Brooks Lab of O Policy Fellowship application form 

CHPC Health Policy Research Internship

• Interns will be matched to a CHPC faculty member and will contribute to that faculty’s research project
• Example tasks include:
  • Conducting literature reviews
  • Performing data analyses with quantitative and/or qualitative data
  • Drafting research dissemination materials
• 80% of time will be spent on specified research project; 20% of time will be spent participating in CHPC internship professional development training sessions

CHPC Health Policy Impact Internship

• Interns will work directly with CHPC’s policy and research directors
• Example tasks include:
  • Draft policy and research briefs on a broad range of health policy topics related to health care system financing and organizations, health policy communication, social drivers of health
  • Support CHPC dissemination efforts, including helping with the CHPC newsletter, drafting social media posts, maintaining the CHPC website, etc.
• 80% of time will be spent on CHPC translation and dissemination activities; 20% of time will be spent participating in CHPC internship professional development training sessions

Eligibility:
Any current undergraduate enrolled in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, and in good academic standing, is eligible to apply.

A hybrid (Ithaca/remote) schedule is preferred, though fully remote will be considered.

Funding Support:
This internship is a 10-week (400-hour requirement) full-time program with a stipend of $5,000.

Application Process:
Applicants are required to submit:

• A one-page Statement of Interest describing how this summer internship will further your Brooks School studies and/or help you be successful in your professional life.
• Your resume and a copy of your most current transcript.

Applications due on February 1, 2026, to Anam Ahsan at ana4033@med.cornell.edu. Applications will be reviewed, and the internship award will be announced by March 1. This internship opportunity is included on the Brooks School Summer Experience Grant page and is administered by the Brooks School Admissions, Student Services, and Career Management Office. Please reach out if you have any questions.

For questions, contact:
brookscareers@cornell.edu

Send application materials for the Undergraduate CHPC Summer Internship here

Research Grants:

Research experiences can be a transformative part of the academic experience, by allowing students to participate in the academic process of discovery and knowledge generation. This fund is intended for research activities in the field of public policy or public affairs. Priority will be given to student-led research costs, such as data purchases for theses or independent study. Students may also request funding to work in unpaid research assistant positions on faculty projects, but these will be reserved only for students who cannot participate in such activities otherwise. Opportunities that focus on issues of race, racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion are encouraged. Priority will be given for projects in any of the seven identified areas of priority for the Brooks School: Data Science and Technology Policy; Health Policy; Human Security; Politics and Economics of Development; Race, Racism and Public Policy; Social Policy and Inequality; Sustainability and Environmental Policy. Support of a Brooks School faculty mentor is required to be eligible for the funds.

Funding Support: Up to $500 for Domestic Research and up to $1000-1500 for International Research, depending on scope and justification

Low and Unpaid Summer Internship Grants:

Internships deepen learning through the application of the Brooks curriculum, while making an impact on society. This fund is intended for students who without funding would otherwise be unable to participate in an unpaid internship. The unpaid internship experience must be in the field of public policy or public affairs. This funding opportunity is available for Brooks students participating in unpaid internships through the Cornell in Washington program and other related Cornell programs, as well as internships arranged outside of Cornell. Opportunities that focus on issues of race, racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion are encouraged. Proof of internship receipt will be required for fund distribution.

Funding Support: Up to $1650

Course-based Travel:

Course-related travel supports travel experiences, linked to a Public Policy Course, that enhance and expand students’ academic learning beyond the classroom. These funds help reduce financial barriers so students can participate in faculty-led treks, field experiences, and other experiential learning activities directly tied to their coursework. For students in the public policy field, these opportunities provide invaluable exposure to real-world policy environments, deepen their understanding of global and domestic issues, and allow them to engage directly with communities, organizations, and practitioners whose work shapes policy outcomes.

Funding Support: Up to $1500

*Different funding restrictions apply to PUBPOL 2030 and PUBPOL 3620

Other Public Policy Grants:

Public Policy touches all aspects of society. As a Brooks School student, there is a broad range of opportunities that support your public policy education. The other public policy grant area is intended for opportunities or supports that directly apply to your success in the field of public policy and your education here at the Brooks School. Priority will be given for opportunities that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of public policy.

Funding Support: Up to $500 for Domestic Opportunities and up to $1000-1500 for International Opportunities, depending on scope and justification

Any current undergraduate or professional master’s student enrolled in the Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, and in good academic standing, is eligible to apply. Each funding opportunity will support multiple students across all programs. The total number of awards will depend on the size and nature of the requests. Students are encouraged to keep budgets as small as possible while still allowing themselves the opportunity to complete their goals. Please note that each student is eligible for only one internship grant, one course-related travel grant, and one research/other grant during their time at the Brooks School for Public Policy.

• Masters’ students are eligible to receive up to $2000 maximum, during their 2-year tenure at Brooks
• Undergraduate students are eligible to receive up to $4000 maximum, during their 4-year tenure at Brooks

Applicants are required to submit:

• A 1–2-page proposal outlining how the funding will further your Brooks School studies and/or help you be successful in your professional life, describing how the proposed opportunity meets the funding purpose, and noting any specific details surrounding personal need for funding. Where applicable, please also describe how the proposed opportunity connects to the Brooks School’s goals in diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism.
• A budgeting narrative, with a table outlining each expected expense and the total requested amount for the opportunity, as well as a brief summary of each expense and why it is justified. This should be 1 page maximum.
• Your resume
• If applying for internship funds, a copy of your low or unpaid internship offer letter.
• All students will be required to participate in the “Beyond the Classroom Experience Showcase” in Fall of the following academic year.

Applications are now open. During regular cycle (September-March), applications will be reviewed monthly, on the 1st of the month, and students will be notified on the 15th of the month. During peak cycle (April-May), applications will be reviewed weekly and notified on the last day of the week. For full consideration for summer funding opportunities, applications should be submitted by May 16, 2026.

Late applications cannot be accepted, except in rare cases where unusual circumstances prevented a timely submission.

For questions, contact:
brooksoppgrants@cornell.edu

Apply for a Brooks Opportunity Grant here