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Research Internships with Nonprofits

If you’re looking for a research internship abroad, we have some exciting opportunities for you. We facilitate customized research projects with a wide range of academic focus areas. We will work with you to design a thesis project/research internship that has your desired focus and learning outcomes, and you’ll be doing your research with a nonprofit organization, focusing on their cause-driven agenda. It’s a great opportunity to do innovative research in an international, nonprofit context.

Wildlife Research Internships

If it’s a wildlife focus you’re interested in, you can join us in stunning locations around the world for exciting field research into a variety of animals and biodiverse regions. You’ll join an organization focused on wildlife conservation and your research project will help support their ongoing initiatives and overall mission.

Communications Research Internships 

We regularly host communications students who need to do research, a thesis assignment, or product design as part of their degree. These internships can usually be done remotely, and they can focus on areas such as market research, communications strategies, specific communications or fundraising campaigns, branding, or visual media. The exact focus of the research will depend on the organization’s need, requirements from your university, and your personal interests and skills.

Other Research Internships Available

Or, if you’re looking for a research internship with a different focus area, please get in touch, and we can look at customizing a program for you. We can facilitate research programs with the following focus areas;

  • Environmental Science, Food Security, Urban Greening, Permaculture, Agroecology
  • Psychology, Sociology, and Pedagogy
  • Visual Media, Photography, and Visual Anthropology
  • Gender Equality and Women’s Rights
  • Human Rights and Refugee Empowerment

As a research intern, you can be based in one of our many enticing internship destinations. Depending on the nature of your research and the organization you’ll be engaging with, it may also be an option to work remotely or on a hybrid model. Once you submit an application, we can discuss all the details.

Find out more about our year-round research internships below, or get in touch with the Roots team if you’d like to discuss a customized research project opportunity with one of our nonprofit partners!

A lioness rests on a grassy landscape, surrounded by green vegetation in a natural habitat, with another lion resting in the background.

Open for 2025

Wildlife Monitoring & Conservation Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Maasai Mara, Kenya
  • Wildlife Observation, Ecological Studies, Data Evaluation, Habitat Preservation
Take part in conservation projects focused on wildlife monitoring and sustainability, working to protect Kenya’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity.
Find out more

Open for applications

Master’s Level Conservation Research Internship

  • Min. 3 months
  • Greater Kruger, South Africa
  • Ecological Research, Wildlife Conservation, Data Projects
Live and work in Greater Kruger Park and conduct in-field ecological research on Africa’s most iconic wildlife.
Find out more
caterpillar on a plant

Open for applications

Wildlife Conservation Program

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Recinto La Esperie, Ecuador
  • Research, Education, Conservation
Enhance your fieldwork skills and support habitat restoration in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador.
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Four Asian children with glass of water

Open for applications

Impact and Water Waste Research Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Berlin, Germany OR Remote
  • Research, Data Analysis, Reporting, Presentations
Build valuable research skills whilst contributing to an often overlooked cause in the climate crisis
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girl with millipede on her hand

Open for applications

Rainforest Conservation Research Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Brazil
  • Research, Data Analysis, Community Outreach, Conservation, Reporting
Travel to Brazil and study the flora and fauna of the Atlantic Rainforest.
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kids looking at a specimen in a jar

Open for applications

Wildlife Research Internship

  • Min. 3 months
  • Recinto La Esperie, Ecuador
  • Education, Data Capture & Analysis, Community Projects
Gain valuable scientific research experience by studying endemic species of plants and animals, contributing to the preservation of biodiversity.
Find out more
Marine Science field research internship

Open for applications

Marine Science Field Research Internship

  • 2-4 weeks
  • Simon's Town, South Africa
  • Conservation Work, Research Dives, Data Collection
A comprehensive crash-course in Marine Science and Conservation
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Marine conservation program

Open for applications

Marine Conservation Program

  • 2-6 weeks
  • Simon's Town, South Africa
  • Community Outreach, Data Collection, Surveys, Reporting
Gain international experience in a marine conservation context
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Marine Research assistant

Open for applications

Marine Research Assistant Internship

  • 8-12 weeks
  • Simon's Town, South Africa
  • Research Dives, Data Collection, Mapping, Reporting
Make your first steps on a career path in Marine Science
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a green frog

Open for applications

Biology Research Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Puerto Inca, Peru
  • Data Capture, Reporting, Surveys, Camera Traps
Work alongside experts documenting and studying flora and fauna of the Peruvian Amazon
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divers underwater

Open for Applications

Marine Research Assistant Internship

  • 4 weeks
  • Bulak, Dauin, Philippines
  • Data analysis, Research, Reporting, Education
Assist with the furtherment of Marine Science studying coral reefs in one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world
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a diver with a reef

Open for Applications

Marine Research Fellow Internship

  • 3 months
  • Bulak, Dauin, Philippines
  • Data analysis, (Lab) Research, Reporting, Mentoring, Education
Transform global marine ecosystems through locally-led community based conservation strategies
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two divers underwater reading a map

Open for Applications

Research Assistant and Divemaster Internship

  • 3 months
  • Bulak, Dauin, Philippines
  • Data analysis, Monitoring, Research, Reporting, Education
Conducts critical research on marine ecosystems in the Coral Triangle
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woman digging the soil

Open for applications

Research and Nature Conservation Internship

  • Min. 3 months
  • Bahia, Brazil
  • Research, Monitoring, Data Analysis, Reporting, Education
Gain practical research experience protecting biodiversity and creating sustainable change.
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Open for applications

Remote Agroforestry Research Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Remote
  • Research, Agroecology, Data Analysis, Reporting
Research, analyze, develop reports, and gain insights into sustainable land management in Ghana.
Find out more
Gender Based violence research internship

NEW

Gender Based Violence Research Internship

  • Min. 12 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Research, Reporting, Monitoring
Research to provide support to victims of gender based violence in Cape Town.
Find out more
Marine Research Internship

Open for applications

Marine Research Internship

  • 2-12 weeks
  • Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique
  • Research, Reporting, Monitoring, Education
Gain hands-on experience in marine research on a breathtaking island, studying diverse ecosystems and contributing to conservation efforts.
Find out more
A young lion laying on grass, whilst another lion is closely behind.

Open for applications

Wildlife Research Internship

  • Min. 8 weeks
  • Greater Kruger, South Africa
  • Game Drives, Research, Fieldwork, Data Analysis, Reports
Journey to South Africa's largest wildlife reserve, the Greater Kruger National Park, and engage in groundbreaking research.
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Wildlife Research Internship

Open for applications

Wildlife Research Internship

  • Min. 4 weeks
  • Fuller Forest, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
  • Wildlife Research, Data Collection & Analysis
Join a team of professionals in research on African wildlife, advancing the understanding of wildlife ecosystem conservation.
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Refugee research internship

Open for applications

Refugee Research Internship

  • Min. 20 weeks
  • Cape Town, South Africa
  • Human Rights, Research, Refugees and Migrants
Research issues of the migratory phenomenon across Africa and gather valuable insights.
Find out more