In response to the rapidly shifting humanitarian landscape—marked by declining donor contributions, disrupted U.S. foreign assistance, and widespread job losses across the sector—the Humanitarian Collaborative launched a new initiative in May to support both students who lost internships, alumni who lost jobs, and seasoned humanitarian practitioners navigating the changing humanitarian landscape.

The HC Summer Cohort brings together current students, alumni, and practitioners to engage in high-impact, short-term thought-leadership projects that address today’s most pressing policy and operational challenges. This unique initiative fosters mentorship, community, and skill-building at a time when many in the sector are seeking new ways to engage.

What the cohort does:

• Project-Based Internships: Each team, led by practitioners and alumni, manages research and deliverables such as project proposals, research analysis and reports, concept notes, and client briefings. Teams are working both on independent research and in partnership with global NGOs, refugee-led NGOs, governments, and international organizations. 
• Think Brief Series: Each team contributes to a new HC publication series aimed at producing real-time reflections on evolving humanitarian trends and policy debates.
• Professional Development & Mentorship: Through regular team check-ins, monthly cohort calls, practitioner-led webinars, and trainings on storytelling and policy writing, interns gain valuable insights into the sector.
• Strategic Dissemination: The cohort’s outputs are intended to influence real-world policy conversations by engaging global stakeholders, leveraging UVA’s alumni network, and amplifying practitioner voices.

This internship model not only helps bridge the gap for students and alumni in a tough job market, but it also builds lasting relationships and positions UVA as a hub for critical, applied humanitarian scholarship and action.