climate hub catalyst internship
The Climate Hub Catalyst Internship (CHCI) offers climate action research services to community organizations in the GTHA at no cost. Graduate student interns are trained and paid to work on community partners’ climate action research challenges.
Once a year, the program invites proposals from U of T faculty and their non-governmental or Indigenous organization partners for small research projects related to climate action in the GTHA, including topics related to climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience, sustainability, or climate justice. Graduate student research assistants are selected by the faculty member for each project for a paid, part-time research assistant opportunity where they get to learn how to do community-engaged research.
CHCI funding covers a graduate student research internship ($10,000). Internships are 4-6 months long, starting in January. CHCI is offered by the U of T Climate Hub, in partnership with the President's Advisory Committee on the Environment, Climate Change and Sustainability (CECCS) and the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI). The Mitacs Accelerate program provides partial funding for the internship.
Through community-engaged research projects, graduate student interns work alongside community partners to develop practical research, evidence, tools, and recommendations that strengthen community-led climate action. These partnerships are provided at no cost to participating non-governmental and Indigenous organizations while offering graduate students meaningful opportunities to apply their academic expertise through community-engaged research, project leadership, and knowledge mobilization. Students are part of a cohort, receiving professional development and capacity building support along the way.
What the CHCI Experience Includes
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Each selected internship is supported through CCIP's funding model, providing $10,000 in internship funding to support the graduate student.
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Interns build practical experience in community-engaged research, project leadership, and knowledge mobilization while working across university and community settings.
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Students are supported by a faculty supervisor while working collaboratively with their community partner.
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All internships start in January and the cohort of interns participate in shared programming. In addition to the supervision provided by their faculty supervisor, the interns participate in U of T Climate Hub programming to gain new skills in community-engaged research, communication, and more.
who can apply
U of T faculty apply for CHCI internship funding. Faculty applicants must:
Be faculty member at U of T who is eligible to hold a Mitacs Accelerate grant (i.e. to hold Tri-Agency funds)
Propose a project aligned with CHCI’s climate action research themes that is related to the GTHA
Have an eligible community partner confirmed before submitting an application.
Be able to supervise and mentor the student throughout the internship.
Ensure the project can be completed within the program timeline.
Call for Applications for the 2026-2027 Internships is Now Open
Want to be a part of our 2026-27 cohort? Click below for details on the application process, requirements, and the application portal. Deadline: November 4, 2026 at 5:00 PM
cohort genesis (2025-26)
Explore the work of our inaugural internship cohort, Cohort Genesis!
Community Hubs and Community-Led Climate Action
Land-Based Education for Urban Sustainability and Indigenous Solidarity
Community Responses to Climate-Induced Food Emergencies
Red Hill Valley Cultural Mapping and Interpretive Signage Initiative
