2026-27 UK Sustainability leadership and internship opportunities
LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 23, 2026) — University of Kentucky students have been making a difference across campus through the UK Sustainability Internship Program and Student Sustainability Council. Over the last 11 years, student-led research and projects have included creating a Waste Reduction Week focused on the importance of waste issues, highlighting student art related to climate change and revitalizing campus landscaping through tree planting events and garden design.
The UK Office of Sustainability in Facilities Management is now accepting applications for two student opportunities for the 2026-27 academic year.
Sustainability Internship Program
The Sustainability Internship Program (SIP) pairs undergraduate students with sustainability-related offices and units across campus to advance sustainability initiatives in exciting and meaningful ways. Interns earn $15.55 per hour and work eight to 10 hours per week from mid-August through the end of the spring semester. Through the program, interns work with mentors to support sustainability initiatives and develop a sustainability project or initiative that addresses a campus need.
There are 15 internship opportunities available for the 2026-27 SIP, covering a variety of expertise areas:
- Campus woods
- Communications
- Dining sustainability
- Energy
- Green labs
- Kentucky Climate Consortium
- Recycling
- Research and impact
- Soil and water Extension
- Sustainable transportation
The Sustainability Internship Program application deadline is March 29. Students can apply at sustainability.uky.edu/get-involved/sustainability-internship-program.
Student Sustainability Council
The Student Sustainability Council plays a key role in guiding sustainability efforts at UK by working to evaluate and fund sustainability projects that benefit the entire campus community.
The student-led initiative began in 2009 and has since funded more than 470 projects. Any member of the UK community can submit a proposal for funding support for a project that will enhance the culture of sustainability on UK’s campus. The Student Sustainability Council distributes nearly $200,000 for campus sustainability projects each year.
The Student Sustainability Council application deadline is March 29. Students can apply at sustainability.uky.edu/sustainability-grants/student-sustainability-council.
Learn more about UK’s sustainability initiatives and opportunities by visiting sustainability.uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.