About the role#
NYSERDA is hiring an Innovation Partnerships Intern for the Fall 2026 semester. This is a paid, hybrid position for current graduate students. You will support the Innovation Partnerships team in their work to connect start-ups with academic partners and improve the local innovation ecosystem. You must be located in New York State to perform this work.
What you'll do#
- Research entities that support innovative start-ups across New York State, including incubators, investors, and academic institutions.
- Create reports, briefings, and presentations that offer recommendations for connecting start-ups with academic partners to advance research and development.
- Identify and analyze gaps in the innovation partnerships ecosystem to help guide future program design.
- Help the team plan and execute engagement activities such as workshops, roundtables, and event sponsorships.
What you'll need#
- You are currently enrolled as a full-time graduate student in a field such as Environmental Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Public Health, or Data Science.
- You can commit to working during the Fall semester and at least one additional semester.
- You have experience performing independent market, partnership, or technical research.
- You are proficient with the Microsoft Office suite.
- You have knowledge or coursework related to clean energy technologies, entrepreneurship, or research institutions.
Location & details#
- Location: New York, New York.
- Modality: Hybrid work, following company telework policy.
- Term: Starts Fall 2026, with a commitment of at least one additional semester.
- Hours: Up to 18.5 hours per week during the semester, and up to 37.5 hours per week between semesters.
- Compensation: $18 to $20 per hour based on class year.
About NYSERDA
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, or NYSERDA, promotes energy efficiency and renewable energy use throughout New York. Founded in 1975, the organization provides technical expertise and objective analysis to help residents and businesses make energy decisions. It works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs for the public. The agency operates with a staff of over 700 people and maintains offices in Albany and New York City.
How to get in at NYSERDA
Securing an internship at NYSERDA requires a proactive approach to the application process. Because many roles receive a high volume of interest, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, helping you apply among the first before the pile grows. Being an early applicant ensures your materials are seen while the team is still actively reviewing candidates. You can also improve your chances by reaching out to the right people. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company roles so you can contact them directly to ask about the position or a referral. This direct outreach often yields better response rates than submitting an application into a generic queue.
