Skip to content
Find Scholarships
Find Scholarships
Canada Undergraduate Partial Funding

PICS Climate Internship Program 2026–2027 | British Columbia Host Organization Grants

The PICS Climate Internship Program provides up to $15,000 to British Columbia organizations to hire university students for climate action projects. Applications are open until November 20, 2026, for internships running May–August 2027.

October 23, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Nov 20, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryCanada
University/OrgUniversity of Victoria (PICS)
Degree LevelUndergraduate
Funding TypePartial Funding
Fields of StudyClimate Science, Environmental Policy, Environmental Studies, Indigenous Knowledge, Sustainability
DeadlineNovember 20, 2026

Scholarship Overview

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

People Also Checked: Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship on Entrepreneurship 2026: African Startup Incubator (Fully Funded)

Overview

The Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS) Climate Internship Program connects British Columbia organizations with university students to advance climate action goals. Through an annual competitive process, eligible organizations can receive up to $15,000 to hire a student from one of four PICS universities: the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU), the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), or the University of Victoria (UVic).

Since 2024, the program has been delivered with sponsorship from Coast Capital. The 2026 funding round supports 30 organizations across British Columbia.

People Also Checked: UBC International Scholars Program 2027: Leadership & Community-Focused Award (Fully Funded)

What the Grant Covers

PICS contributes up to $15,000 toward intern salaries and employment-related costs. Host organizations must cover any costs exceeding this amount. The recommended internship duration is 13–16 weeks, with projects aligned to the university calendar cycle between late May and late August 2027.

Eligible expenses:

People Also Checked: Discover Canada Program 2026: Fully Funded Cultural Exchange in Toronto (Fully Funded)
  • Intern salaries
  • Employment-related costs

Ineligible expenses:

  • Indirect cost recovery or overhead/administration
  • Capital purchases (computers, equipment, furniture)

All funds must be used by December 31, 2026.

Who Can Apply

The program is open to British Columbia organizations including:

  • Non-government organizations (registered non-profits)
  • First Nations and Indigenous organizations
  • Provincial government agencies and Crown corporations
  • Local governments
  • Cooperatives and social enterprises
  • Private companies

Important limitation: This is a grant for organizations to hire interns, not a direct scholarship for individual students. Students seeking internship positions should monitor the PICS Careers page for job postings between February and April 2027. Internships are only open to students enrolled at PICS universities (UBC, SFU, UNBC, UVic).

Priority Project Criteria

PICS prioritizes funding for projects that:

  • Provide direct climate value or benefit to organizations and communities in British Columbia
  • Offer excellent early career development opportunities for university students in climate-related fields
  • Are likely to generate or inspire further climate actions or policies in other organizations or communities

Application Requirements

The application form requires detailed information across several categories:

Organization Details

  • Applicant name and contact information
  • Organization size (staff count categories)
  • Organization type

Project Information

  • Project title and proposed dates
  • Internship duration (suggested 13–16 weeks)
  • Requested PICS funding amount (up to $15,000)
  • Estimated intern hours and hourly rate

Project Description

Applicants must describe:

  • Purpose and value of the project
  • Key activities, timeline, and deliverables
  • Intended impact and knowledge mobilization plans
  • Student role, responsibilities, and support structure
  • Qualifications and skills sought in the intern
  • Work arrangement (in-person, remote, or hybrid)
  • Whether field work is included

Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)

Applications must address:

  • Steps to create an accessible, equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment
  • How the project supports principles of reconciliation in design, implementation, and deliverables

Evaluation Process

Applications are scored on a 25-point scale across five criteria:

  • Climate value to communities/sectors: 1–5 points
  • Clear purpose, approach, and outputs: 1–5 points
  • Potential for broader climate impacts through knowledge mobilization: 1–5 points
  • Clearly defined student role/responsibilities: Satisfactory or not satisfactory
  • Rooted in JEDI and reconciliation principles: 1–5 points

PICS staff manage the evaluation with supplemental input from external technical experts. Organizations are notified of decisions in mid-December 2026.

Timeline

  • Application deadline: November 20, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
  • Notification of decisions: Mid-December 2026
  • Latest intern hire date: April 30, 2027 (to allow participation in launch workshop)
  • Internship period: Late May to late August 2027

Extensions beyond late August may be possible without additional PICS funding, with agreement from the student and PICS.

After Funding Approval

Selected organizations receive an award letter outlining requirements for grant payment. Organizations are responsible for recruiting and hiring their intern from among PICS university students. PICS provides guides and resources to assist with recruitment. The program uses a cohort model that creates opportunities for sharing and learning among participating organizations and students.

Knowledge Mobilization

PICS encourages hosts to maximize climate impact beyond the project period. Knowledge mobilization—adapting and disseminating knowledge to increase reach and inform decision-making—is a scored evaluation criterion. Resources are available through Simon Fraser University’s Knowledge Mobilization Hub and PICS planning templates.

Resources for Applicants

PICS provides several resources to strengthen applications:

  • Guide to Setting Knowledge Mobilization Goals
  • Knowledge Mobilization Planning Template
  • Resources on reconciliation, Indigenous knowledges, and climate change
  • Climate justice resources from UBC and UC Centre for Climate Justice

Contact

For questions about the application process, email picsintern@uvic.ca.

Related scholarships

Official scholarship page: https://climatesolutions.ca/current-funding-opportunities/climate-internship-program/?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hootsuite

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships

Funding Coverage

Up to CAD $15,000 toward intern salary and employment-related costs; host organization covers any additional costs

Eligibility Criteria

British Columbia organizations: NGOs, First Nations/Indigenous organizations, provincial government agencies, Crown corporations, local governments, cooperatives, social enterprises, and private companies. Students must be enrolled at UBC, SFU, UNBC, or UVic.

Required Documents

Completed online application form including: organization details, project description, intern role definition, JEDI and reconciliation plan, community benefit statement, knowledge mobilization strategy, partnership information

Application Process

1) Review eligibility and priority criteria. 2) Prepare detailed project proposal addressing all scored criteria. 3) Complete online application form before deadline. 4) Submit by November 20, 2026, 4:00 p.m. 5) Await decision notification in mid-December 2026. 6) If funded, hire intern by April 30, 2027, and participate in launch workshop. 7) Conduct internship May–August 2027.
Apply Now — Official Website

You will be redirected to the official scholarship application page.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. This is an organizational grant, not an individual scholarship. Students must be enrolled at one of four PICS universities (UBC, SFU, UNBC, UVic) and apply through posted job openings between February–April 2027. The funding application is only for British Columbia organizations.
PICS provides recruitment guides and resources to assist host organizations. You are responsible for hiring, but support materials are included with the award letter. The cohort model also facilitates networking that may help identify candidates.
No. PICS contributes up to $15,000; your organization must cover any salary and employment costs above this amount. The grant does not cover indirect costs, overhead, or capital purchases like computers or equipment.
In 2026, 30 organizations received funding. Applications are scored on five criteria totaling 25 points. Strong applications clearly define climate benefits to BC communities, specify concrete student tasks, demonstrate knowledge mobilization plans, and explicitly address JEDI and reconciliation principles.
Projects should align with the university calendar (late May–late August 2027). Extensions beyond late August may be possible without additional PICS funding if both the student and PICS agree. Earlier start dates would require discussion with PICS staff.
Past projects include sustainable transportation initiatives, health system climate readiness, protection of culturally significant species affected by climate change, air quality adaptation for vulnerable populations, and coordination of climate action networks. Projects span field-based research, policy analysis, community engagement, and resource development.

Related Scholarships