Policy and Government Affairs - Spring 2027 Intern

Founded in 1961, WWF works to help people and nature thrive. As a global conservation organization, WWF operates in more than 100 countries, partnering with communities, companies, and governments to protect wildlife, conserve vital habitats, and advance sustainable solutions. Grounded in science and driven by collaboration, WWF works to help nature by conserving biodiversity, supporting resilient communities, and addressing climate change. Nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 5 million globally are WWF members.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF), one of the world's leading conservation organization, seeks a U.S. Government Partnerships (USGP) Spring 2027 Intern. The U.S. Government Partnerships team, housed within WWF's Policy and Government Affairs (PGA) department, helps secure and manage funding from U.S. government agencies to advance WWF's global conservation and sustainable development mission.

The intern will support WWF's fundraising efforts by conducting research on federal agencies, funding programs, and emerging opportunities across the U.S. government landscape. This role will provide hands-on experience in identifying USG opportunities, pipeline, and proposal development across WWF’s priorities, including: wildlife trafficking, biodiversity conservation, sustainable food systems, fisheries and oceans, freshwater conservation, community-based conservation, and international development.

Please Note: The PGA team follows the WWF-HQ hybrid schedule, and interns are expected to come into the WWF HQ DC office two days a week.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor U.S. government websites, newsletters, grants databases, and agency communications to identify relevant funding opportunities for WWF.

• Conduct research and analysis on federal agency priorities, programs, budgets, strategic plans, and policy developments to inform opportunity assessments and proposal strategy.

• Support proposal development efforts through background research, document preparation, coordination of team inputs, and tracking of proposal deadlines and milestones.

• Assist with pipeline management by researching and tracking funding opportunities and maintaining opportunity records and related databases.

• Develop agency and program profiles for key federal funders, including USDA, NOAA, USAID, the U.S. Department of State, and other relevant agencies.

• Conduct research and prepare brief summaries on technical and thematic topics relevant to WWF's conservation and development programs, including climate, food systems, freshwater, fisheries, wildlife conservation, and international development.

• Monitor and summarize webinars, agency briefings, Congressional hearings, and other events relevant to federal funding programs and government priorities.

• Assist in stakeholder mapping and organizational research to support strategic engagement with federal agencies, partners, and implementing organizations.

• Current undergraduate or graduate student: Must be an actively enrolled student and not have received a degree at the time of the internship start date (January 2027).

• Interest in conservation and/or international development issues with a concentration in International Relations, Public Policy, American Government, or Political Science. Those studying outside these areas are still highly encouraged to apply.

• Interest and willingness to learn about Capitol Hill, the Administration (specifically USDA, NOAA, and U.S. State Department), and non-governmental organizations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, collaboratively and independently.

• Strong interpersonal skills crucial for developing working relationships, internally and externally.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with data management or CRM systems is a plus.

• Identifies and aligns with WWF’s core values:

  • COURAGE – We demonstrate courage through our actions, we work for change where it’s needed, and we inspire people and institutions to tackle the greatest threats to nature and the future of the planet, which is our home.

  • INTEGRITY – We live the principles we call on others to meet. We act with integrity, accountability, and transparency, and we rely on facts and science to guide us and to ensure that we learn and evolve.

  • RESPECT – We honor the voices and knowledge of people and communities that we serve, and we work to secure their rights to a sustainable future.

  • COLLABORATION – We deliver impact at the scale of the challenges we face through the power of collective action and innovation.

Minimum Requirements:

• Only enrolled students are eligible for this internship, as you must be able to receive academic credit from your current academic institution. Students must be able to work either part-time or full-time, depending on class schedule and availability. Please note: This internship is for Spring 2027.

• This is a hybrid role, interns are required to come into the WWF-US Washington, D.C. office two days a week.

• Applicants who wish to be considered for this role must include a cover letter as part of their application; please confirm that you are an enrolled student and that you are available to work in the office 2 days a week in your cover letter.

Cover Letter:

Applicants who wish to be considered for this role must include a cover letter as part of their application. In your cover letter, please indicate the number of hours per week you will be available for this internship, your location for the Spring 2027 semester, and the number of hours you will be able to work from WWF’s DC Office. This is a hybrid internship based in Washington, DC.

Location:

Washington, DC

Compensation:

Unpaid. For all unpaid internships, applicants must be enrolled in school and be able to obtain academic course credit from their university.

Please note: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.  In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

WWF does not provide VISA sponsorship to interns.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) promotes equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals regardless of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.