Cultural Survival’s internship program is a meaningful part of our organizational life and our commitment to learning, accompaniment, and shared growth. Interns engage closely with the programs or departments to which they are assigned, contributing to day-to-day work while advancing toward clearly defined learning objectives.

The program offers opportunities for mentorship, learning, and professional development within the nonprofit sector. It is designed for individuals who are interested in Cultural Survival’s work to promote and defend the rights, lands, languages, and cultures of Indigenous Peoples around the world.

Through this program, we create learning experiences across a range of areas, including research, communications, capacity building, community media, Indigenous Rights Radio, International Bazaars, administration and operations, and advocacy and rights-based work. Internships are designed to support both skill development and a deeper understanding of Indigenous rights and movements.

Our internships are open to people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences and are intended to foster a respectful, inclusive, and enriching learning environment. We welcome applicants from different nations, geographies, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, religions, spiritualities, ages, experiences, perspectives, and worldviews.

Who can apply

Our internships are open to a wide range of people. You do not need to be enrolled in school or studying a particular field to apply, and you are welcome whether you are early in your journey or have significant academic or professional experience. What matters most is a genuine interest in Cultural Survival's work and a desire to learn and grow in this field.

We warmly welcome and encourage Indigenous Peoples and allies of Indigenous Peoples to apply.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the start of the internship.

Cultural Survival’s main office is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and internships are conducted remotely. Because these are remote internships, interns will need reliable internet access and their own computer. While internships are unpaid, selected positions include a modest stipend to help offset participation-related expenses, such as internet access, phone service, electricity, or office supplies. This stipend is intended solely to offset such costs and is not considered a wage or salary. Details regarding available stipends are included in each individual internship posting.

We value interns who bring curiosity, initiative, commitment, and a collaborative spirit, as well as the ability to work independently when appropriate. While proficiency in Spanish can be beneficial given our presence in Latin America, language requirements vary by internship. All interns receive guidance and mentorship from Cultural Survival staff within their assigned area and are invited to participate in regular virtual team meetings. A mid-internship check-in with the Human Resources team is also held to support learning, reflection, and accompaniment throughout the experience.
 

General information

Each year, Cultural Survival offers internship opportunities during three seasons: spring, summer, and fall.

Each internship:

• Has a defined application period

• Includes specific learning objectives

• Is connected to a particular program or department

• Provides mentorship from a manager, senior manager, or member of Cultural Survival’s leadership

Internships are typically three months in duration. In some cases, internships may be extended for up to six months by mutual agreement, allowing for deeper engagement with the organization’s work. Interns are typically expected to be available for a minimum of 15 hours per week. The specific schedule is arranged with the program manager or internship host, and we work with each intern to accommodate their academic commitments.  

 

Internship calendar 2026–2027

 

2026 Internship Schedule

 

2027 Internship Schedule

 

Current Openings

Available internship opportunities are posted on our careers page in accordance with the calendar above. We invite interested applicants to review current openings and apply to the position that best aligns with their interests, skills, and learning goals.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may only be able to follow up with shortlisted candidates. We are grateful for the time and care every applicant puts into applying.

For questions, please contact: hr@culturalsurvival.org

 

Volunteer

We are always looking for volunteers to help with our events, especially the Cultural Survival Bazaars.
Please see more information here.