Led by Dr. Dorceta Taylor, Program Director and Principal Investigator, the Yale Conservation Scholars – Early Leadership Initiative (YCS- ELI) [formerly the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at University of Michigan/Yale School of the Environment] is a summer opportunity for undergraduate students who are interested in careers in the environmental sector. YCS-ELI is a component of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Sustainability Initiative (JEDSI) at Yale School of the Environment.
The summer program is for undergraduates from diverse backgrounds, with a focus on those who are historically underrepresented in environmental institutions. The program places scholars in environmental internships primarily in the Northeast U.S. region, including but not limited to Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.
Scholars complete a nine-week internship in a research laboratory, at a field site, in an environmental nonprofit or governmental agency. The nonprofits vary in size from local grassroots organizations to national and international institutions. Similarly, scholars have interned at local or regional government offices or with federal agencies.
Scholars work directly with and are mentored by professors, research scientists, and environmental professionals during and after the internship. Program participants also develop networks with each other, program alums, and environmental professionals.
In 2026, internships will be primarily based in the northeast in states such as Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Internships have expanded to the Midwest and DMV including Michigan, North Carolina, and Washington D.C. At the end of summer, scholars make presentations about their summer experiences at the Annual Capstone Symposium(Link is external).
A select few scholars will have the opportunity to return for a second year as a peer mentor. They will intern in a different organization, laboratory, or field site than in their first summer. Past internships have focused on conservation research, environmental policy, conservation finance, environmental education, environmental justice, energy justice, water pollution, food insecurity, community action, and much more!
Environmental organizations interested in hosting a scholar may reach out to program staff at ycs-eli@yale.edu
Read more here.