“U21 was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had! I got to work with students from 8 different countries and 10 different majors, all of them working to achieve Sustainable Development Goals and address climate change. No other platform gives such an opportunity to work with a diverse group!
– Former U21 Participant
About Universitas21
U21 offers free, online international micro-internship opportunities for students around the world a few times a year.
When the applications are live, application deadlines will be noted at the bottom of this page.
U21 Sustainable Micro-internships allow you to work with your fellow students from across the globe, sharing knowledge and expertise while immersing yourself in a commercial organization. Not only will you form quick partnerships with sustainability-minded students around the world, but you’ll also challenge your abilities, whilst developing key skills enabling you to thrive in the modern workplace.
“U21 provides a fun, supportive, and interactive yet low-stress way to immerse oneself in a particular issue and gain knowledge about another part of the world.”
– Former U21 Participant
The U21 Micro-Internship Opportunity
This exclusive opportunity is only available to students at U21 member universities and is open to students of all disciplines. Throughout the program participants will engage with and learn from students across the globe spanning 20 countries and 19 time zones.
Find out more about the U21 Sustainable Micro-internships Program
Over the two-week program you will be presented with an ongoing sustainability challenge from your host employer and work in groups to innovate a solution and how to communicate this with senior stakeholders. The internships involve two, 2.5 hour live online sessions at the start and end of the 2 week program, with the rest of the project work undertaken flexibly, online around your other commitments.
As a result of the program, you will develop:
- Agility – your ability to adapt to new environments, to grasp topics outside of your academic specialism and work with difference.
- International Collaboration – first-hand experience working across different time zones, languages, and cultures, bringing together global knowledge to deliver results for an employer.
- Influence – your ability to build trust and solve complex problems quickly.
- Presentation Skills – your ability to clearly convey complex information to your stakeholders.
“I came away from the experience with a greater appreciation for compromise and negotiation when collaborating with a team and greater competency in researching and presenting solutions to real-world problems.”
– Former U21 Participant
Successful completion of the program and all activities will earn you the Leading Change micro-credential which you can display on your LinkedIn profile, demonstrating that you have developed the skills to tackle complex global issues and stand up as a leader.
We hope that you will want to join this free program. Please note that there is a limited number of spaces per member university and U21 will operate a waiting list once all allocated spaces are filled.
Applications are currently closed. U21 Micro-Internships typically take place in December, January, and February of each year, with applications opening in October and closing in early November.
2026/2026 Opportunities
Friday, November 28, 2025 – Friday, December 12, 2025
SDG Focus: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Micro-internship 1
Compulsory live sessions: Monday, December 1 and Wednesday, December 10 – 10:00pm – 12:30am EST
Micro-internship 2
Compulsory live sessions: Tuesday, December 2 and Thursday, December 11 – 12:00pm – 2:30pm EST
Friday, January 16, 2026 – Friday, January 30, 2026
SDG Focus: Quality Education
Micro-internship 3
Compulsory live sessions: Monday, January 19 and Wednesday, January 28 – 10:00pm – 12:30am EST
Micro-internship 4
Compulsory live sessions: Tuesday, January 20 and Thursday, January 29 – 12:00pm – 2:30pm EST
Friday, January 30, 2026 – Friday, February 13, 2026
SDG Focus: Climate Action
Micro-internship 5
Compulsory live sessions: Tuesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 12 – 12:00am – 2:30am EST
Micro-internship 6
Compulsory live sessions: Tuesday, February 3 and Thursday, February 12 – 9:00am – 11:30am EST
Additional Previous Focus Areas Include:
Reduced Inequalities
Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Responsible Production & Consumption
*This opportunity is available to international students and does not require CPT
**UConn students must use the application link above or on career.uconn.edu and not the general U21 application on U21’s website
Questions about the U21 Micro-Internships? Email uconncareer@uconn.edu.
