Students

Transform Campus Dining, Develop Your Career Skills

Want to make positive changes on your campus? The DefaultVeg Internship Program is for changemakers like you who want to bring the plant-based food movement to their university. Equipped with essential tools and guidance, interns are empowered to engage positively with university decision makers, dining staff, student clubs, offices, coffee shops, and campus event staff to advocate for adopting plant-based defaults and nudges.

Our approach makes the best choice the easy choice which is popular because it preserves freedom of choice anywhere food is served, from a dorm party to a dining hall. Most importantly, many DefaultVeg Interns have greatly impacted campus food systems.

By encouraging your campus to adopt climate-smart, plant-forward food, you’re promoting a broader cultural shift toward sustainable and accessible food services both on and off campus.

Students Reshaping Campus Food Culture

Parker Do worked to bring DefaultVeg to the Bruin Model United Nations conference, making delicious plant-based meals the norm for over 2,000 participants. Meanwhile, Hannah Hughes spearheaded the introduction of an oat milk default policy at Pitzer College, alongside piloting a similar initiative at Pomona College.

Lauren Walcott and Alena Baker made waves at Northwestern University by successfully advocating for DefaultVeg across over 20 student clubs and departments.

These 7 Colleges Are Making Plant-Based Dining the New Norm

What to Expect

The program provides students with a structured internship to advocate for plant-based food by default and other nudges on your campuses. Students of any experience level can join, as the process is tailored to individual needs.

The DefaultVeg Internship Program offers:

• Leadership Skills: Develop your leadership, critical thinking, project management, research, and communications skills while impacting your campus.

• Training & Mentorship: Deepen your understanding through lectures and training with sustainability and food systems experts.

• Flexible Custom Program: Tailored and flexible projects to fit your campus schedule and holiday breaks. Ideal for internships, projects, and service work.

• $1000 Program Grant ($500 per semester): Awarded to students for completing the internship project. (Unfortunately, at this time, we can only remit payment to U.S. students due to tax rules.)

We will guide students each step of the way with online training, webinars, research and data, 1-on-1 meetings, and many more resources. In addition, you’ll be able to connect and learn with other students working on similar projects worldwide via our online platform, Circle.

How to Apply

We are currently accepting applications for 2026. Fill out the form below and send your resume and cover letter to [email protected].

**Applications accepted any time for capstones, grad students, or service-learning programs.