Intern, Food Initiative

Position Overview

The intern supports The Rockefeller Foundations Food Initiative through a one-year rotation across three priority Food programs: Food Is Medicine (FIM) Regenerative School Meals (RSM) and the Periodic Table of Food Initiative (PTFI). The position offers exposure to innovative work in regenerative agriculture school nutrition reform institutional procurement and clinically informed food interventions. Responsibilities include research strategy development learning agendas communications and partnership mapping across U.S. and global food portfolios. The role provides a unique opportunity to understand how a global philanthropy builds strategy fosters cross-sector partnerships and drives systems change in food agriculture health and climate while contributing to transformative initiatives that advance equity and sustainability.

Program Details

• Open to graduate students currently enrolled in an accredited program.
• Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter as part of the application process.
• Work authorization in the United States is required.
• This is a year-long internship:
  • Full-time (35 hrs/week) during the summer (JuneAugust 2026).
  • Part-time during the academic year (September 2026May 2027) with a minimum of 16 and maximum of 20 hours per week.
• The position is based in New York City and requires in-office presence Monday through Thursday during the summer (JuneAugust). The in-office presence during the academic year will be determined by the position supervisor with consideration for the Interns class schedule.

Hiring Range:$30$35 hourly rate. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundations pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors including but not limited to work experience. This is a non-exempt position and thus eligible for overtime pay.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct research on food system actors initiatives and policies related to Food Is Medicine (FIM) school nutrition institutional procurement and regenerative agriculture.
• Conduct research on regenerative agriculture agroecology soil science agricultural data and traditional ecological knowledge for RSM.
• Review and synthesize academic and grey literature to inform strategy learning agendas and policy positions.
• Track U.S. healthcare policy developments (Medicare Medicaid) relevant to FIM.
• Compile insights from Indigenous and local communities for regenerative agriculture and school meals.
• Prepare briefs memos presentations and materials to guide strategy and decision-making.
• Participate in discussions with research partners funders and food system organizations.
• Draft blogs event summaries and communications for FIM and RSM programs.
• Help identify and map potential funders and partners.

Education Experience and Skills

• Current enrollment in a graduate program in one of the following (or related) fields:Food systems public health public policy nutrition government sustainabilityenvironmental science soil science ethnobotany agronomy agriculture.
• Ability to synthesize large volumes of data into clear insights for strategy development.
• Writing skills for academic policy and public audiences.
• Understanding of global food system inequities; knowledge of agricultural systems regenerative agriculture Indigenous ecological knowledge or agroecological practices strongly preferred.
• Understanding of U.S. healthcare systems (Medicare/Medicaid) and Food Is Medicine preferred; experience with agricultural or nutrition-related datasets a plus.
• Innovative and collaborative abilities and eager to learn how foundations develop and implement strategies with partners.
• Ability to work independently as a proactive self-starter.
• Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders effectively.

Competencies

• Bias for Action: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency high energy and enthusiasm.
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Strategic Learning: Actively learns through experimentation when tackling new problems using both successes and failures as learning fodder.
• Values Differences:Recognizes the value of different perspectives commits to being self-aware and respectful and seeks to learn from new and different voices.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science technology and innovation that enable individuals families and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity in food health energy and finance including through our public charity RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information sign up for our newsletter at and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

As an organization we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent Optimistic Accountable Collaborative Trusted and Equitable. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason and amplifying marginalized voices.

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal state and local laws concerning employment discrimination including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race color age gender sexual orientation religion marital status national origin or ancestry citizenship lawful alien status physical mental and medical disability veteran status liability for service in the United States Armed Forces or any other protected status.

The Rockefeller Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.