Rockefeller Foundation Internship Opportunities

The Rockefeller Foundation Internship programme offers a unique opportunity for students and early-career professionals to gain practical experience within one of the world’s leading philanthropic institutions. Designed for individuals who are passionate about global development, equity, sustainability, and inclusive growth, this programme places interns within mission-driven teams working on real-world challenges that affect communities worldwide.

Through the Rockefeller Foundation Internship, participants are embedded across diverse departments including policy, research, philanthropy, legal affairs, investments, knowledge management, and executive leadership. Interns gain hands-on exposure to high-impact projects while developing professional skills in research, analysis, communication, and strategic thinking.

These internships are ideal for candidates who are motivated by social impact, systems change, and global problem-solving, and who want to learn within a respected organisation that has shaped development thinking for more than a century.

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Key Highlights
📌 Multiple internship tracks across global programs
📌 Areas include food systems, energy, law, investments, policy, and knowledge management
📌 Open to students and recent graduates
📌 Focus on equity, sustainability, and social impact
📌 Hands-on experience within a leading global foundation
📌 Professional development and mentorship included

The Rockefeller Foundation Internship offers students and early-career professionals the chance to work directly with mission-driven teams on real global challenges. Interns support research, policy work, program delivery, and institutional operations across several departments, including food systems, clean energy, legal affairs, investments, and community impact. This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in global development, public policy, finance, sustainability, and social change, and who want practical experience within a world-renowned philanthropic organization.

Internship Roles Available

Intern, Food Initiative

This role supports the Foundation’s Food Initiative, which focuses on transforming food systems to improve nutrition, sustainability, and livelihoods.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with research and analysis on food systems, nutrition, and agriculture
• Support programme planning, monitoring, and documentation
• Contribute to reports, briefs, and presentations
• Participate in team meetings and cross-program learning activities

Eligibility & Requirements

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree programme in public policy, nutrition, agriculture, international development, environmental studies, or related fields
• Strong research and writing skills
• Interest in food systems, food security, or nutrition policy
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

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Summer Intern, Legal

This internship provides exposure to legal operations within a global philanthropic organisation, supporting governance, compliance, and institutional risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and regulatory reviews
• Support contract review and documentation processes
• Assist with internal policy development
• Organise legal files and contribute to knowledge management

Eligibility & Requirements

• Current law student (JD or LLM preferred)
• Strong legal research and analytical skills
• Interest in nonprofit, international, or corporate law
• High level of professionalism and confidentiality
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

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Intern, Investments Office

This role supports the Investments Office, which manages the Foundation’s endowment and mission-aligned investment strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with investment research and market analysis
• Support portfolio monitoring and reporting
• Prepare briefing notes and investment summaries
• Conduct data analysis on financial and impact metrics

Eligibility & Requirements

• Undergraduate or graduate student in finance, economics, business, mathematics, or related discipline
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills
• Proficiency in Excel and financial modelling preferred
• Interest in impact investing or institutional asset management

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Summer Intern, Power

This position supports the Power Initiative, focused on advancing energy access, renewable energy, and equitable power systems globally.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct policy and market research on energy access and power systems
• Support stakeholder engagement and programme tracking
• Assist in drafting reports and policy briefs
• Participate in strategy and learning sessions

Eligibility & Requirements

• Enrolled in a programme related to energy policy, environmental studies, engineering, economics, or international development
• Strong interest in clean energy and climate equity
• Research and analytical writing skills
• Ability to synthesise complex technical information

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Summer Intern, President’s Office

This internship offers exposure to executive leadership, strategic initiatives, and institutional governance.

Key Responsibilities

• Support strategic research and briefing preparation
• Assist with internal coordination and communications
• Track high-level initiatives and organisational priorities
• Contribute to presentations and executive memos

Eligibility & Requirements

• Graduate or advanced undergraduate student
• Strong writing, research, and organisational skills
• Interest in leadership, governance, or global development
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion
• Strong attention to detail and time management skills

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Summer Intern, Knowledge Management

This role supports institutional learning and knowledge sharing across Foundation programmes and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Organise and curate digital knowledge resources
• Support documentation of lessons learned and best practices
• Assist with internal learning platforms and tools
• Contribute to research synthesis and content development

Eligibility & Requirements

• Student or recent graduate in information science, library studies, communications, international development, or related field
• Strong organisational and documentation skills
• Familiarity with knowledge management systems is an advantage
• Excellent written communication skills

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Intern, Communities, Partners, and Impact

This internship supports community engagement, partnerships, and impact measurement across Foundation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with partner mapping and engagement analysis
• Support impact tracking and data collection
• Contribute to reports and stakeholder presentations
• Participate in cross-team collaboration efforts

Eligibility & Requirements

• Background in social sciences, public policy, international development, or monitoring and evaluation
• Strong analytical and interpersonal skills
• Experience with qualitative or quantitative data preferred
• Interest in equity, partnerships, and social impact

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Summer Intern, US Program and Policy

This role supports domestic policy initiatives focused on equity, resilience, and inclusive growth in the United States.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct policy research and legislative analysis
• Support programme planning and stakeholder engagement
• Draft policy briefs and internal memos
• Assist with convenings and learning events

Eligibility & Requirements

• Enrolled in a degree programme related to public policy, political science, economics, or social policy
• Strong research and policy writing skills
• Interest in US domestic policy and social equity
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively

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Why Choose a Rockefeller Foundation Internship?

A Rockefeller Foundation Internship offers more than work experience. It provides meaningful exposure to global philanthropy and systems-level change. Interns work alongside leading experts and practitioners while contributing directly to projects that address food security, energy access, health equity, economic inclusion, and institutional innovation.

Key benefits include:

• Hands-on experience in a global philanthropic organisation
• Professional development and structured mentorship
• Opportunity to contribute to real-world impact
• Exposure to policy, research, and strategy work
• Inclusive and mission-driven work environment

The Rockefeller Foundation Internship programme is designed to build future leaders in development, policy, law, finance, and social impact. Participants gain practical skills while expanding their professional networks and understanding of global challenges.

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How to Apply

Interested candidates should prepare a detailed CV and a motivation statement outlining their area of interest and relevant academic background. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as roles are competitive and selection is based on academic merit, skills alignment, and commitment to the Foundation’s mission.

If you are passionate about equity, sustainability, and inclusive development, the Rockefeller Foundation Internship could be your pathway into global impact work. Apply now and become part of a global institution dedicated to advancing solutions that improve lives and strengthen systems worldwide.

Disclaimer: The Business Pulse shares verified opportunities from trusted sources. We are not a recruiting agency and do not request any payment for applications.

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